Vol. 1 stories 1-200


1.      Years ago President Charles A. Callis, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, but who previously was president of the Southern States mission for twenty-five years, told me this story. He said that he had a missionary in the southern states who came into get his release at the conclusion of his mission. His mission president said to him, “Have you had a good mission?”
 He said, “No.”
    “How is that?”
    “Well, I haven’t had any results from my work. I have wasted my time and my father’s money. It’s been a waste of time.”
    Brother Callis said, “Haven’t you baptized anyone?”
    He said, “I baptized only one person during the two years that I have been here. That was a twelve-year-old boy up in the back hollows of Tennessee.”
     He went home with a sense of failure. Brother Callis said, “I decided to follow that boy who had been baptized. I wanted to know what became of him. The next time I went up into that area I looked him up. He had put on shoes (he’d never worn shoes before), he’d put on a shirt (he’d never had a shirt before), he was the clerk of the little branch Sunday School..”
     Brother Callis said, “I followed him through the years. He became the Sunday School Superintendent, and he eventually became the branch president. He married. He moved off the little tenant farm on which he and his parents before him had lived and got a piece of ground of his own and made it fruitful. He became the district president. He sold that piece of ground in Tennessee and moved to Idaho and bought a farm along the Snake River and prospered there. His children grew. They went on missions. They came home. They had children of their own who went on missions.”
     Brother Callis continued, “I’ve just spent a week up in Idaho looking up every member of that family that I could find and talking to them about their missionary service. I discovered that, as the result of the baptism of that one little boy in the back hollows of Tennessee by a missionary who thought he had failed, more than 1,100 people have come into the Church.”
Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1997), 360-61.

2.   In June of 1966, Mark E. Littman and Joel Izatt of the Hansen Planetarium assist artists Sydney E. King and V. Russell Capson in their efforts to place the stars in the heavens on a mural on the rotunda ceiling above where the Christus will be placed in the North Visitors’ Center on Temple Square. The stars are placed to appear as they would have on 6 April 1830, the day the Church was organized.
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 114.

3.   I have seen pictures of the Hill Cumorah, taken at the turn of the Century, with very few trees. When my family visited there in the early ‘70s it was heavily wooded. I could never understand why the huge change. I now knew why after reading “Witness of the Light.” Over 200,000 trees have been planted on the Hill Cumorah.
Scot Facer Proctor, Witness of the Light (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1991), 52.

4.   While touring the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, Elder David O. McKay is impressed by the Spirit to move those with him away from a ledge overlooking the volcano just before the ledge collapses into the volcano.
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 31.

5.                  Reed Smoot serve 30 of his 41 years as an Apostle as United States Senator from Utah.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church History In The Fulness Of Times (Salt Lake City: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1993), 468.

6.   In 1964, during a meeting with President David O. McKay, U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson asks the Church President for advice and indicates that he has felt inspired during previous visits with President McKay.
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 23.

7.   Elder Russell M. Nelson attends the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, Illinois, on August 28, 1993; exactly 100 years after the body rejected a Latter-day Saint delegation headed by Elder B.H. Roberts.
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 167.

8.   The church had gone full circle after being rejected by Martin Van Buren in 1839 to President George Albert Smith offering the prayer to open the U.S. Senate session (20th May, 1947), the first Church leader to be so invited. President Hugh B. Brown repeated this same honor on 20th May 1966 and then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley gave the invocation at the U.S. Congress on September 12, 1974.
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 100, 177.

9.  In June of 1960, Elder Bruce R. McConkie sets apart his son, Joseph Fielding McConkie, a nineteen-year-old, for his mission. This begins the policy of extending calls on a regular basis to nineteen-year-old young men as full-time missionaries.
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 129.

10.  George Q. Morris is ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at eighty years of age (April of 1954) making him the oldest man ordained an Apostle in this dispensation, replacing Matthew Cowley, who had died.
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 70.

11.  Hugh B. Brown of the First Presidency dies in Salt Lake City on the same day as Elder ElRay L. Christiansen, Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dies. This is the first time two General Authorities have died on the same day since the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith (December 2, 1975).
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 234.

12.  Lucy Gates Bowen, a grand-daughter of Brigham Young, christens the SS Brigham Young, a U.S. liberty ship used during World War II to transport troops, freight, and prisoners (August 1942).
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 161.

13.  In May of 1943, Eugene W. Hilton, representing the Oakland Stake, christens the SS Joseph Smith, a U.S. Liberty ship used during World War II to transport troops, freight and prisoners.
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 101.

14.   When U.S. president Warren G. Harding visited Utah, he and President Heber J. Grant played a round of golf at the Salt Lake Country Club against the club’s golf pros. According to Reed Smoot, who walked around with the players, “The two presidents won.”
Michael K. Winder, Presidents and Prophets (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2007.

15.   On August 27, 1938, L.D.S. pitcher, Monte Pearson, pitched the first no-hitter in Yankee stadium history.
Frederick Lieb, “Peason, Near 30-Mark, Improves with Age.” The Sporting News, July 1, 1939.

16.   April 19, 1938: A group of LDS missionaries, including future Apostle Marvin J. Ashton, wins the Great Britain national basketball championship.
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et. Al., On This Day in the Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 77.

17.   BYU and San Diego State hold the record of the highest-scoring tie in NCAA history. On Nov. 16, 1991, the Cougars and Aztecs battled to a 52-52 tie. This record is expected to stand forever because years later, the NCAA implemented overtime rules that prevent ties.
Jeff Call, Roaring Back To Glory (Spring Creek Book Company: Provo, Utah, 2008), 188.

 18.   BYU beat Pitt on Sept. 1, 1984 in the first live ESPN College Football broadcast. The Cougars won 20-14, to kick off their national championship season.
Jeff Call, Roaring Back To Glory (Spring Creek Book Company: Provo, Utah, 2008), 191.

19.   The first time two temples were dedicated on the same day was 14 November 1999: the Halifax, Nova Scotia Temple and the Regina, Saskatchewan Temple. This was also the first time since 1846 that a general authority not in the First Presidency dedicated a temple. On the same day that President Hinckley dedicated the Halifax, Nova Scotia Temple, President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the Regina, Saskatchewan Temple.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), 276

20.   The Church suspended construction of the Stockholm, Sweden Temple for more than a year so that archaeological relics could be excavated from ancient Viking graves, dating from 600 B.C. to A. D. 200, discovered on the temple site. Stockholm’s mayor noted, “Had it not been for the temple, we would never have discovered the relics.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), pg. 271.

21.   The property that became the site of the Tokyo Temple was devastated by two bombs during World War II.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), pg. 273.

22.   A much-anticipated event occurs annually at the Sydney Australia Temple when numerous plovers, beautiful gray and white birds with yellow head cones and long legs, arrive to lay their eggs after flying thousands of miles. The birds, which mate for life, nest directly on the lawn, each pair within about two feet of its original spot, so a special effort is make to mow around them. Fine screens have been installed over nearby storm drains to prevent heavy rains from washing away the eggs or chicks.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), pg. 274.

23.   Four temples have been commemorated on postal stamps or as postal cancellations: the Salt Lake Temple (in 1980 and 1993), the Stockholm, Sweden Temple (in 1985), the Apia, Samoa Temple (in 1988), and the Nuku’alofa, Tonga Temple (in 1991).
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), pg. 270.

24.   As the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Temple neared completion, a last-minute decision was made to add three ceiling medallions to the interior. When the medallions arrived, workers noticed that the one intended for the celestial room was damaged. The project manager immediately began searching for a replacement, only to find that the original supplier and all the other dealers he could find were out of stock. Even the manufacturer was unable to provide another one.
   Finally, with the help of the Internet, the project manager located a dealer in Atlanta, Georgia, who had one left. The project manager gave him the address of the temple in Baton Rouge, and the dealer remarked, “My church is getting ready to dedicate a building in Baton Rouge.” The project manager quickly asked, “What church would that be?” When the dealer responded, “The LDS Church,” the project manager was happy to tell him that they were both referring to the very same building, adding that the medallion would be placed in the celestial room. The project manager then asked what the price of the medallion would be, and the dealer, the Latter-day Saint who happened to have the only remaining one available, said he was grateful to have the opportunity to donate the medallion to the temple.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), pg. 252.

25.   The Oakland, California Temple is the only temple with five spires.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001),270.

26.   The Bountiful, Utah Temple has the distinction of being the only temple in which the entire First Presidency chose the site.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), pg. 270.

27.   Soon after the London Temple site was purchased, President David O. McKay walked the temple grounds and determined that the temple was to be constructed near a pond on the property. The site engineers wanted another location chosen since they felt the ground was too boggy to support the weight of the temple. President McKay insisted that this is where they were to build. Upon further investigation, workers discovered that beneath the boggy ground was solid shale at the proper depth to support the temple.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First One Hundred Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), pg. 40.

28.   In April of 1934, the church announces that the official representative of the king of England has been allowed to visit the interior of the Alberta Temple, even though it had been dedicated.
Richard Neitzel Holzpfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 83.

29.   Many great and spiritual experiences have taken place in the Alberta Temple. Among them was one that resulted from the fervent prayers of the parents of a young elder who drowned while on his way to a mission in South America. His grieving father and mother could not be comforted.
   One evening while the father was in the Alberta Temple, he heard his son’s voice, although he did not see him. The young elder told his father that the grieving of his parents was making it impossible for him to fill the heavenly mission to which he had been called. The boy promised that as a witness to the importance of the work he had been called to do, the father would be asked to speak at a special meeting that day in the temple.
   Unexpectedly that afternoon the temple president stopped the work of those in the temple and announced that there would be a testimony meeting. He asked several people to participate, and the father anxiously awaited his time.
When another man was announced as the concluding speaker, the sorrowing father left the meeting fearful that the visit with his son had been only his imagination.
   Before the man left the building, however, the temple president arose and announced that he had heard a voice directing him to ask this man to speak to the group. Those in the room reported that the father had left. “Then go and find him,” the president urged.
   When the father returned to the meeting, he told the group of his unusual experience, while tears of comfort and joy glistened in his peace-filled eyes.
Lucile C. Reading, Shining Moments Vol. 2 (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1986), 123-124.

30.   An experience recorded by Earl W. and Beth Hemp
   What a wonderful, spiritual experience we had that day in the 1940’s in the sealing room of the Alberta Temple with President E. J. Wood. There was a sister from Montana who was sealed to her deceased husband and then the children of her large family were placed around the altar. President Wood commenced sealing the children to their parents. After naming about three of the children’s names President Wood stopped and said, “Sister, are all your children here?” She answered, “Yes.” President Wood started naming the children again and stopped at the same place. “Sister, are all the children’s names on this sheet you gave me?” questioned President Wood. Again she answered, “Yes.” The third time President Wood commenced the sealing and again stopped at the same place and asked, “Sister, didn’t you ever have any other children?” She began to cry and said, “President Wood, I did have one baby who lived only a short time and that baby’s name is not on the sheet.” “Yes, I know. Every time I came to that place while naming the children a spirit in this room, right beside me kept telling me that it belonged to this family and to please not leave him or her-(we don’t remember which one it was)-without belonging to the family,” declared President Wood.
   We didn’t hear the spirit speaking to President Wood but we will never forget that sweet, peaceful, heavenly feeling that was in that room. President Wood certainly was in tune with the Spirit to hear the spirit of that child pleading with him.
   Another person was chosen to be the proxy for that deceased child and it was sealed along with the living children to the parents. There must have been much rejoicing also in the heavens that day.
V.A.Wood, The Alberta Temple-Center and Symbol of Faith, pg. 172-173.

31.   In the early 1960s stake presidents in Utah Valley and nearby areas were called to a meeting with the First Presidency, who spoke with them confidentially about building a temple in Provo. Ben E. Lewis, one of those stake presidents, was assigned to chair the site-selection committee and raise funds from local Church members for a temple. President Lewis spoke privately after the meeting with President N. Eldon Tanner about a site he knew was available.
     Some years before, a German immigrant named Leathy, who owned several acres of land near Rock Canyon on Provo’s east bench, had approached President Lewis after having a vivid dream in which a beautiful temple was erected on his property. He had been so moved by the dream that he offered the land to President Lewis for a temple site. President Lewis, involved in BYU and Church land acquisition in Provo, communicated the information to President Harold B. Lee, who declined the offer. Instead, the property was purchased for BYU so that it would be available for expansion or if circumstances changed a temple site.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First 100 Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), 49.

32.   A protest was planned by individuals from Wyoming to disrupt the ground breaking ceremonies of the Billings, Montana Temple, however, due to inclement and severe traveling and weather conditions the protestors were not able to reach their destination.
Jim Pottenger. Interview by Chad S. Hawkins, 20 April 2000.

33.   With the construction completed, the dedication of the Veracruz temple was scheduled for 9 July 2000. Shortly before the dedication, Church officials learned of a large all-terrain vehicle and motorcycle rally scheduled to take place near the temple on the morning of the dedicatory services. That event, with its crowds and loud engines, was planned for location less than fifty yards from the temple grounds. Both it and the temple cornerstone ceremony were to begin at 9 A.M. Dedication organizers were concerned and wondered how to maintain the reverent feeling appropriate for placing he cornerstone of a house of the Lord. But Sunday morning, the day of the dedication, arrived with rain showers significant enough to cancel all the scheduled off-road vehicle events. Ron Weekes, media specialist of the dedication. Observed, “I know that the hand of the Lord was involved with what transpired.”
Chad S. Hawkins, The First 100 Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), 249.

34.   The Palmyra New York Temple was dedicated 6 April 2000, exactly one hundred seventy years after the Church was organized on 6 April 1830. Never before in this dispensation have so many members been able to witness the dedication of a temple.
     When the dates were announced, it was also announced that the dedication would be broadcast from the temple in Palmyra to the Salt Lake Tabernacle. The response was tremendous. After ticket requests for the broadcast topped two hundred thousand, the First Presidency decided to broadcast the dedication to all satellite-equipped stake centers in North America. It was estimated that the total number of Latter-day Saints in attendance at the dedication was 1.5 million.
Chad S. Hawkins, The First 100 Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), 211; Roger J. Adams, “Palmyra Temple History.” Unpublished. 19, 21, 26-7.

35.   The evacuation of the missionaries just prior to World War II, particularly from the West German Mission, posed great challenges and provided the setting for some remarkable examples of divine assistance.
   The First Presidency’s telegram arrived in Germany on Friday morning, 25 August. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith and M. Douglas Wood, mission president, were conducting conferences in Hanover, but President Wood and his wife immediately returned to mission headquarters in Frankfurt. By Friday afternoon they had telegraphed all missionaries, directing them to leave for Holland at once. On Saturday morning, a missionary called from the border to tell them that the Netherlands had closed its borders to almost all foreigners fearing that the influx of thousands of refugees would seriously deplete the already short food supply. Meanwhile, bulletins on German radio warned that by Sunday night all railroads would be under military control and no further guarantees could be made for civilian travel.
   When the Dutch closed their border, the resulting crisis challenged the resourcefulness of President Wood and his missionaries. Knowing that they could not take German currency out of the country, almost all of the missionaries had used their excess funds to purchase cameras or other goods that they could take with them. Therefore, they did not have enough money to buy tickets to Copenhagen, Denmark, the alternate point of evacuation leaving several groups of missionaries stranded at the Netherlands border.
   In Frankfurt President Wood gave one of his missionaries, Elder Norman George Seibold, a former football player from Idaho, a special assignment:
“I said; ‘Elder, we have 31 missionaries lost somewhere between here and the Dutch border. It will be your mission to find them and see that they get out.’. . .
   “After four hours on the train he arrived at Cologne, which is about half way to the Dutch border. We had told him to follow his impressions entirely as we had no idea what towns these 31 Elders would be in. Cologne was not his destination, but he felt impressed to get off the train there. It is a very large station, and was then filled with thousands of people. . . . This Elder stepped into this station and whistled our missionary whistle-‘Do What is Right, Let the Consequence Follow.’” Thereby he located eight missionaries.
   In some towns Elder Seibold remained on board the train, but at others he was impressed to get off. In one small community he recalled, “I had a premonition to go outside the station and out into the town. It seemed silly to me at the time. But we had a short wait and so I went. I passed a Gasthuas, a restaurant there, and I went inside and there were two missionaries there. It was fantastic, in that they both knew me and of course they were quite happy to see me. . . . As surely as if someone had taken me by the hand, I was guided there.” In Copenhagen on Monday, 28 August, President Wood learned that fourteen of the thirty-one missing missionaries had entered Holland safely. That afternoon he received a telegram from Elder Seibold stating that the remaining seventeen would arrive in Denmark that evening.
M. Douglas Wood, in Conference Report, April 1940, pg. 79-80; David F. Boone, “The Worldwide Evacuation of Latter-day Saint Missionaries at the Beginning of World War II,” Master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1981, pg. 35-43.

36.   Green Flake, later one of three African-Americans to enter the Salt Lake Valley with the first company of Saints, is born on the Jordan Flake plantation in Anson County, North Carolina. There are no known birth records for Hark Lay and Oscar Crosby, the two other African-Americans in the party.
   Green Flake was born in Anson County, North Carolina, ca. 1828. In 1841 he traveled with his owners, James Madison and Agnes Love Flake, to Kemper County, Mississippi, where the family cleared land for a farm. During the winter of 1843-44 Madison and Agnes were baptized as members of the Mormon Church and so was their servant Green. When the Flakes decided to join the main body of the church in Nauvoo, Green accompanied them. For a time he served as a bodyguard for Joseph Smith.
Leonard J. Arrington, "Black Pioneer Was Union Fort Settler," The Pioneer (SUP), September-October 1981; Ronald G. Coleman, "A History of Blacks in Utah, 1825-1910" (Ph.D. diss., University of Utah, 1980).

37.              At the time Box Elder was first settled, it was regarded as dangerous Indian territory, but Bishop Davis followed William Penn’s advice of feeding the Indians instead of fighting them—a policy taught and impressed also by the wisdom of President Brigham Young, and by following this maxim Bishop Davis won the hearts of the red men and they were ever his friends.  They used to call him “The Captain” and he was always able to get along with them except when they were on the warpath.
The following history of WILLIAM DAVIS was taken from a manuscript on file in the Brigham City, UT, city library; htpp://www.boap.org/
38.              Elijah Abel, an early black convert, pioneer, and missionary, was ordained an Elder on March 3, 1836. Zebedee Coltrin ordained Elijah a Seventy on December 20 that same year. In 1908, Joseph F. Smith stated his understanding that Joseph Smith himself declared Abel’s ordination “null and void.” President Smith offered no basis for that assertion. Abel did not believe that his ordination had ever been nullified. And twenty-nine years earlier, in 1879, Joseph F. Smith noted that Elijah Abel had two certificates identifying him as a seventy, one of them issued in Utah.
              Jessie L. Embry, Black Saints in a White Church: Contemporary African American Mormons (Midvale, Utah: Signature Books, 1994), 39; Excerpts from Council minutes August 26, 1908, Kimball Papers; Edward L. Kimball, “Spencer W. Kimball and the Revelation on Priesthood, BYU Studies, Vol. 47, no. 2 (2008), 8.

39.              The following from the autobiography of August Adrainus Hjorth:
              I helped in many ways during the Black Hawk War in Cache Valley. At one time I was sent out with two men to recover some workhorses the Indians had stolen. After a long ride, we went down into a gulch and made a fire and cooked our last bit of food. As we were wondering where to look next, a group of Indians surrounded us. One of our men was an old trapper and could speak their language. The Indians asked what we were doing there and were told we had come to find the horses they had stolen. They seemed very unfriendly. They started dragging dry timber and piled it up. They also put a long pole on the ground. We imagined they were going to burn us at the stake. However they tied a turkey buzzard on the end of the pole and began dancing around the pole after lighting their bonfire.
             While all these preparations were going on, the chief and two other Indians came down in front of us and wanted us to talk to them. The interpreter talked to them a few minutes but they wanted us to “talk Brigham.” (They wanted to hear about the Church.) I knew possibly half a dozen words in their language. I had never preached a sermon in my life; but when I stood upon my feet, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me with great power. I spoke for over an hour to those Indians in their language. When I sat down, the interpreter said, “Where did you learn to talk Indian?” What I had said seemed to please them, and they gave us some food; and we joined in their dance around the campfire and slept among them all night unmolested. In the morning we were told that our horses were down the canyon a little way. We gathered them together and returned home. After I talked to the Indians, the Chief, Curley Bull, shook hands with me and called me “Topeke,” which means pointed I had talked to the point about the gospel.
   Many years later these same Indians were given seats of honor in the Tabernacle at a conference session. Chief Curley Bull, then an old man, was among them. His grandson Frank, who spoke English, was their spokesman. Being especially interested in the Indians, I talked to them and told them some of my experiences in Cache Valley among the Indians and was informed by two or three of them that some of their relatives were killed in the Bear River Massacre (January 29, 1863). This Frank was only a small boy when I spoke to them in their own language years ago, but he remembered the incident and informed me that many of them were converted that night around the campfire. Although a young and inexperienced man, I, with the aid of my Heavenly Father, had planted the seed of righteousness in the hearts of these Indians.  
Chronicles of Courage, Compiled by Lesson Committee (Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1991), 192-3.

40.              Brigham Young was the father-in-law to Kanosh. Kanosh married Sally the adopted Paiute daughter of Brigham Young.
              Paul Pailla, “Kanosh.” Utah History Encyclopedia. Edited by Allan Kent Powell (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1994), 297-98.

41.              Walker Lewis [an African-American man] was ordained an elder by the Prophet Joseph Smith’s brother, William Smith in 1843 or 1844 in Lowell, Massachusetts.
             Connell O’Donovan, “The Mormon Priesthood Ban and Elder Q. Walker Lewis,” John Whitmer Historical Association Journal 26 (2006), 48 and particularly pages 82-95.

42.               Frank Warner: His parents are Sagawitch and Tan-tapai-cci of the Northwestern Shoshone. Frank's actual name was Pisappih Timbimboo and was a two year old at the time of the Bear River Massacre on January 29, 1863. His body was riddled with seven bullet wounds but yet he survived. A few years later he was adopted by the Amos Warner family and renamed Frank W. Warner. President John Taylor called him on a mission in 1880 to work among his own people. He served a second mission in 1914-15 working among the Sioux and Assiniboine Indians at Fort Peck, Montana.
             Scott R. Christensen, Sagawitch: Shoshone Chieftain, Mormon Elder, 1822-1887 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1999; Frank W. Warner, “Missionary journal, November 1914-January 1915.” Manuscript. LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City.
43.               In 1848 a group of Saints from Mississippi, 56 whites and 34 African-Americans entered Winter Quarters on their way to the Salt Lake Valley.
             Mormon Historical Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring 2000, p. 44.

44.              On June 6, 1848, just west of Winter Quarters, where the Elkhorn River flows into the Platte, the Heber C. Kimball Company engaged in a battle with the attacking Omaha Indians. Four natives were killed and two of the Saints badly wounded. After the engagement the natives found a Dr. Jesse Brailey alone on the wrong side of the Elkhorn River. Immediately one of the Indians raised and pointed his rifle at Dr. Brailey. All Jesse Brailey could do was raise his umbrella as if in the act of returning fire. Luckily, it worked. He was able to scare off the Omaha brave and buy enough time for himself to join himself in the safety of the main body of the Saints.
             Mormon Historical Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring 2000, 44.

45.              Arapeen eventually baptized into the Church and donated all his possessions plus the Ute tribal holdings totaling over $155,000 to the Church. As much as the Church appreciated this act of faith the property was never formally transferred.
             Feramorz Y. Fox, “The Consecration Movement of the Middle ‘fifties,’” Improvement Era, February, 1944, No. 2.

46.              Most of the barley grain near the city was saved by immense flocks of seagulls which came and devoured the crickets. This was considered a God send and many escaped what might have been a severe famine. A fine of five dollars was placed upon the head of anyone that killed a seagull. One thing singular, the oldest mountaineers and trappers said that they never saw a seagull until after the Mormons settled this country.
Journal of Arocet Lucious Hale, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; htpp://www.boap.org/

47.              The first potatoes and turnips planted on the same day that the saints entered the valley in 1847 was established at the present day intersection of Third South and State Street in Salt Lake City. These were planted immediately when Brigham Young entered the valley at 11:45 in the morning. The plowing of the land actually was the day previous, July 23, 1847.
             The Church News, March 10, 1990; http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/pioneers_and_cowboys/index.html

48.              In consequence of the scanty harvest of 1848, bread stuff and other provisions became very scarce. Many had to eat raw hides, dig segos and thistle roots for months. I was one of that number. The last of June, just before harvest, was the hardest time of 1849.
   I will relate a little incident to show to our children and the rising generation how their parents suffered in the early days of 1847, 1848 and 1849. Lucas Hoagland moved my sister Rachel Lavory Hale late in the fall of 1848. Our families then consisted of five in number, Lucas and wife, my brother, Alma Helaman Hale, age ten, my brother Solomon Elephlet Hale, age seven and myself. After Lucas married my sister Rachel, of course I had more help to sustain the family. It fell to my lot to attend to watering the wheat. We had two cows, luckily both giving milk. When I went to the field to water the wheat and fight the crickets, I used to drive one cow to the field with me at night, milk the cow, and strain the milk. As soon as it was cool, I would stir in two or three spoonfuls of moldy corn meal, set it over the campfire, make my porridge and go to bed. I did the same in the morning. This was better with the blessing of the Lord on it than boiled rawhide and thistle roots. For dinner, I would take my shovel and go out on the bench land and dig segos which were plentiful, thank the Lord.
   While I was tending the wheat, Lucas was working around where he could get a little provisions for the family. He used to go to the Provo River with fishing parties, catch fish, salt and dry them. They were very good and considered a rarity.
   I will relate a little incident to show how hard it was to get bread stuff. My wheat was heading out and commenced turning a little yellow. I thought I could glean a little out that would do to thresh and grind in a hand mill, which many did. I saw several going to Neff's Mill with small grists of corn that were rare in 1848. The thought struck me that I might be able to trade for some. I had a fine little saddle horse that Lucus Hoagland had told me to trade for bread stuff or edibles of any kind. I saddled up, went to the mill, and saw several there begging or trying to (some widows with families). I spoke to Neff and told him my situation. I offered him the horse, saddle and bridle (a new California Macheir [?] saddle for three pecks of corn meal, one peck to take home with me, one peck the next week, the third peck, the third week. Now for the answer. Said he, "You great booby, here trying to get three pecks of meal. There are women here begging for two quarts to take home with them to feed their little children." This anger hurt my feelings very badly. I thought of the situation I had left the family in in the morning, without a spoonful of anything to eat of bread stuff kind. Then I cried like a baby to be called a booby for trying to make an honest trade with the miller.
   I continued fighting crickets until nearly night, when I heard a noise towards the mouth of Emigration Canyon, a little north of me. I looked and to my surprise, I saw a train of four- and six-horse wagons coming out of Emigration Canyon. This proved to be a company of the gold emigration, the first that arrived in the valley. I sprung to my horse and went across the bench into their camp. I was the first Mormon boy in their camp. They appeared to be very much excited over gold and the mines and asked many questions. What news from the gold Mines? Is there any more of the battalion boys come in? What news do they bring? Have you seen any? Have you got any gold? I had very little that Hoagland had given me to try and get a little bread stuff with. I let them see what gold I had. They were all excited in a minute and all had to see the gold dust. While they were looking at the gold dust, an old gentleman touched me on the shoulder and beckoned me to one side. Said he, "I have a span of young American colts, four years old. They have been worked on lead, and have pulled themselves down very poor." Said he, "I will give you that span of young horses, their harness and lead bars for your pony, saddle and bridle." I told him that I would go with him and see the horses. We went, and he showed me the horses. They were as he reckoned them to me. I thought of the trade I had offered the Miller Neff a few hours before. I thought of my sister and the little boys at home without anything to eat but a little milk and segos for supper.
   Said I, "Could you spare me a few pounds of flour, a small piece of bacon, a quart of beans or any kind of vegetables?" "Come to the wagon and I will see what I can find." He got into the wagon, threw out a sack with eight or ten pounds of flour, ten pounds of bacon and by that time the boys had gotten supper. They invited me into the tent. There I ate the best supper that I ever ate, or relished the best. I had not tasted nice white bread and fried bacon for months. I led my horse to the city. When my sister Rachel saw tour and bacon, she wept for joy.
   Gold emigration continued to come and they were willing to trade their poor stock for those that were in better condition. The gray horses that I got for the saddle pony brought me two yoke of oxen and wagons and a nice suit of clothes. This reminds me of a prophecy of President Heber C. Kimball two months before the gold emigration came into the valley. He prophesied that clothing would be cheaper in Salt Lake City than it was in New York City. We saw this prophecy come to pass. They were loaded too heavy to continue their journey and all had something to sell or trade, horses, harnesses or wagons, clothing, provisions, cooking utensils, stoves, tents, guns and ammunitions. This was considered a God send.
Journal of Arocet Lucious Hale, Typescript, HBLL; htpp://www.boap.org/
49.              Due to the remoteness of the Hawaiian Island, construction often came to a standstill waiting on material. On one such occasion, Ralph Woolley, the temple contractor, knelt in prayer and supplicated his Heavenly Father for the needed material to continue construction on the Hawaii Temple. A few days later a severe storm hit causing a freight ship to become lodge on the coral reef. The captain of the ship, realizing his dilemma offered the load of lumber in his ship if the Saints helped him to get it off. This blessing resulted in the continuation of the temple construction.
             Pope, Hyrum C., About the Temple in Hawaii (Hawaii, 1919), 149-150.

50.              I [Jacob Hamblin] labored with the company of pioneers to prepare the way for the Saints through Iowa, after which I had the privilege of returning to Nauvoo for my family, which consisted of my wife and three children I moved them out into Iowa, 200 miles, where I left them, and returned 100 miles to settlements, in order to obtain food and other necessaries.
   I was taken sick, and sent for my family to return to me. My wife and two children were taken sick the day after their arrival. We found shelter in a miserable hut, some distance from water.
  One day I made an effort to get some water for my suffering family, but failed through weakness. Night came on and my family were burning with fever and calling for water.
   These very trying circumstances called up some bitter feelings within me. It seemed as though in this, my terrible extremity, the Lord permitted the devil to try me for just then a Methodist class leader came along, and remarked that I was in a very bad situation. He assured me that he had a comfortable house that I could move into, and that he had plenty of everything, and would assist me if I would renounce “Mormonism.” I refused and he passed on.
   I afterwards knelt down and asked the Lord to pity us in our miserable condition, and to soften the heart of someone to administer to us in our affliction.
   About an hour after this, a man by the name of William Johnson came with a three gallon jug full of water, set it down and said: “I came home this evening, weary, having been working with a threshing machine during the day, but, when I lay down I could not sleep; something told me that you were suffering for water. I took this jug, went over to Custer’s well and got this for you. I feel now as thought I could go home and sleep. I have plenty of chickens and other things at my house that are good for sick people. When you need anything I will let you have it.” I knew this was from the Lord in answer to my prayer.
   The following day the quails came out of the thickets, and were so easily caught that I picked up what I needed without difficulty. I afterwards learned that the camps of the Saints had been supplied with food in the same way.
James A. Little, Jacob Hamblin in Three Mormon Classics, Preston Nibley, comp. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), 215-216.

51.               Member John Horner tells the success of his crop in the California gold fields:
             He arrived home safely in the fall and in time to take the place he had left in the firm of J. M. Horner & Co., to sell our large crop now ready for market. We continued our energetic and prosperous career buying more lands and farming them ourselves, or letting them to tenants until our potato crop reached the enormous quantity of twenty two million pounds in 1853. We had also in that year fifteen hundred acres of wheat and barley, besides cabbages, tomatoes and onions in quantities. California had not only supplied herself with vegetables this (1853) year, for the first time, but she produced a large surplus which could not be sold, and was never sent to market.
             Journal of John M. Horner; http://www.boap.org/
52.              This from a Chicago Times interview with David Whitmer:
   “Three times has he [David Whitmer] been at the Hill Cumorah and seen the casket that contained the tablets and the seer-stone. Eventually the casket had been washed down to the foot of the hill, but it was to be seen when he last visited the historic place.”
Cook, Lyndon W. ed., David Whitmer Interviews: A Restoration Witness (Orem, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 1993), 7.

53.              Brother [Martin] Harris then turned himself as though he had no more to say and we made ready to go. He then spoke again and said, "I will tell you a wonderful thing that happened after Joseph had found the plates: three of us took a notion to take some tools and go to the hill and hunt for some more boxes or gold or something, and indeed we found a stone box; we got quite excited about it; and dug quite carefully around it. We were ready to take it up, but behold, by some unseen power, it slipped back into the hill. We stood there and looked at it. One of us took a crowbar and tried to drive it through the lid to hold it; but it glanced and only broke one corner off of the box."
Ole A. Jensen, "Testimony of Martin Harris (One of the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon)," pp. 1-6, BYU.

54.              “At this time, strong attempts are making to take the Twelve. It seems as though earth and hell are made to see the work of the priesthood proceeding so rapidly. The United States Marshall has been here for some time searching and laying in wait for the Twelve and some others. He searched the [Nauvoo] temple through but in vain. The brethren have had to disguise themselves and conceal themselves to escape them. The charge is treason. You may see the Twelve, etc. wherever they go with six shooter pistols in their pockets, but thus far they have been preserved and are ministering in the [Nauvoo] temple and teaching the way of life and salvation.”
             Joseph Fielding, Diary (1843-1846), Church Archives in "They Might Have Known That He Was Not a Fallen Prophet"--The Nauvoo Journal of Joseph Fielding," transcribed and edited by Andrew F. Ehat, BYU Studies 19 (Winter 1979).

55.                     The following took place in the Nauvoo Temple
              December 11, 1845. Thursday: At 1 o’clock Elder Orson Pratt came up into the rooms while we were attending to washing and anointing [Nauvoo]. He had just returned from his mission to the east and brought with him $400 worth of six shooters.
             An Intimate Chronicle: The Journal of William Clayton, edited by George D. Smith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995).

56.              Joseph [Smith] kept the Urim and Thummim constantly about his person, by the use of which he could in a moment tell whether the plates were in any danger.
              Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1979), 142.

57.              The public press indicated that two of the mummies that Joseph Smith purchased in 1835 were the mummified bodies of Joseph and Abraham. It was necessary for Joseph Smith to put that rumor down since neither Abraham nor Joseph was left buried in Egypt.
             Commercial Bulletin and Missouri Literary Register, St. Louis, Missouri, October 12, 1835.

58.              The following story is in reference to the re-building of the Nauvoo Temple:
   Only a couple of photographs exist of the original building; none gave a view of all sides of the temple. For the architects, reconstruction was boosted by access to the original William Weeks plans, which had been given to the Church in an unusual turn of events. Vern Thacker, an LDS Missionary in the California Mission in 1946, came across the William Weeks architectural plans:
   “While we were tracting on the outskirts of town one day, we both felt inspired to stop at a small home. A man named Leslie M. Griffin invited us in and told us that he was a descendant of William Weeks, the architect for the Nauvoo LDS Temple.” The missionaries visited him several times to discuss the gospel, Nearing the end of his mission, Elder Thacker made one last visit to Mr. Griffin who “excused himself for a few minutes and went into the back part of his house. He soon returned with a roll of what looked like poster paper about three feet long, ten inches in diameter, and secured with a rubber band. He explained that these were the original plans for the Nauvoo Temple and that they had been handed down in his family from his grandfather, William Weeks. He opened the bundle and showed the plans to us. The largest of the papers was a side view of the Temple exterior. Rolled inside of this pieced were several other smaller drawings showing various views of the Temple.” He asked Elder Thacker if on his way home he would carry “these plans to the headquarters of the Church in Salt Lake.” The plans were delivered to the Church Historian's Office 28 September 1948, photographed and secured in “a steel-locked safe.”
Vern C. Thacker, “The Nauvoo Temple Architect’s Drawings Lost and Found,” 20 January 2000;
Heidi S. Swinton, Sacred Stone (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2002), 144.

59.              In September of 1917, U.S. president Woodrow Wilson appoints James H. Moyle, the first Latter-day Saint to serve in a subcabinet position in the United States, as assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 183.

60.              The pioneer odometer was invented by two men who made the initial trek to Utah in 1847 and was used by Brigham Young on one wagon to measure the distance from the Missouri River to the Great Salt Lake Valley. The difference between the measurements of this crude instrument and those made by government surveyors who later passed over the same route with more sophisticated instruments was only 60 feet!
              Douglas F. Tobler and Nelson B. Wadsworth, The History Of The Mormons In Photographs And Text: 1830 To The Present (New York: St. Martins Press, 1987), 129.

61.              The following is in relation to the Egyptian scrolls that Joseph Smith had purchased during the Kirtland years of the Church:
   After the Prophet’s death they, along with the mummies, were sold to non-Mormons and exhibited in various places, including Wood’s Museum in Chicago. For years it was assumed that they all were destroyed in the great Chicago fire of 1871, but in 1967 eleven fragments were discovered in a New York museum and presented to the Church.
James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1992), 77.

62.              In 1959 Virginia Ryder Watters, great-great-granddaughter of Symonds Ryder, donated an original rough draft of the Articles and Covenants [Sections 20 and 22 of the Doctrine and Covenants] to the Historical Department via a Latter-day Saint high school student her husband knew. The document is titled “A commandment from God unto Oliver how he should build up his Church & the manner thereof.” It concludes “A true copy of the Articles of the Church of Christ. O.C. [Oliver Cowdery]” (“Historical,” 287, 290).
              Arnold K. Garr, Donald Q. Cannon, and Richard O. Cowan, Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000), 51-52.

63.              The most people attending a baptism could very well be Sunday 23 July 1837 when Elder Heber C. Kimball baptized nine individuals in the River Ribble in Preston, England, but viewed by 8,000 curious bystanders.
V. Ben Bloxham, James R. Moss, and Larry C. Porter, eds. Truth Will Prevail: The Rise of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British Isles, 1837-1997 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987).

64.              In reference to the practice of re-baptism: It ended at October conference in 1897 when George Q. Cannon preached that too many Saints saw this as an easy way to repent.
              James B. Allen and Glen M. Leonard, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, 2d ed. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992), 430-431.

65.              George Reynolds was a member of the First Council of the Seventy and secretary to five presidents of the Church. While being raised in England he became friends with a member of the Church. At age nine he desired baptism but because of his young age he had to have his parents’ consent which they refused to give. George continued to attend church for a few years when he became fearful that the Savior’s Second Coming would take place before he could be baptized. Therefore, at the age of 14 (1856), he went to a branch where he was unknown and was baptized the following Sunday.
             Bruce A. Van Orden, George Reynolds: Prisoner for Conscience’ Sake (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992).
66.              The following is in reference to Gilbert Belnap being chased by the mob from Carthage to Nauvoo after it was discovered that he was a spy for the Prophet Joseph.
         I afterward sat in council with delegates from different parts of the country and secured the resolutions passed by that assembly. I then returned in safety to Nauvoo, but not without a close pursuit by those demons in human shape, uttering the most awful imprecations, and bawling out to meet almost every jump to stop or they would shoot. My greatest fear was that my horse would fall under me. I thought of the instance of David Patton [Patten] administering to a mule which he was riding when fleeing before a similar band of ruffians. I placed my hands on either side of the animal and as fervently as I ever did, I prayed to God that his strength might hold out in order that I might bear the information which I had obtained to the Prophet. There were no signs of failure in accomplishing this purpose until just opposite the tomb. My horse fell on his side in the mud. This seemed to be a rebuke for me for urging him on to such a tremendous speed. We were entirely out of danger and covered with mud by reason of the fall. I rushed into the presence of the Prophet and gave him a minute detail of all that had come under my observation during that short mission. . . .
        Autobiography of Gilbert Belnap, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; http://www.boap.org/

67.                 As told by early Church member Philo Dibble:
“I will here observe that about the time of which I write, there were many signs and wonders seen in the heavens above and in the earth beneath in the region of Kirtland, both by Saints and strangers. A pillar of light was seen every evening for more than a month hovering over the place where we did our baptizing. One evening also, as Brother William Blakesley and I were returning home from meeting, we observed that it was unusually light, even for moonlight; but, on reflection, we found the moon was not to be seen that night. Although it was cloudy, it was as light as noonday, and we could seemingly see a tree farther that night than we could in the day time.”
“Early Scenes in Church History,” Four Faith Promoting Classics, Philo Dibble Autobiography (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968), 74-96.

68.              “In Kirtland Temple, I [Zebedee Coltrin] have seen the power of God as it was in the day of Pentecost! and cloven tongues as of fire have rested on the brethren and they have spoken with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance. I saw the Lord high and lifted up and frequently throng the solemn assemblies, the angels of God rested on the temple, and we heard their voices singing heavenly music. At another time when consecrating some oil, we saw visibly the finger of God enter the mouth of the bottle.”
Minutes of High Priest Meeting, Spanish Fork, Utah, February 5, 1870.

69.              The following from the autobiography of Jesse Crosby while living on his father’s farm in western New York:
“Many others followed the example, and a branch of the Church was organized [1838]. The Holy Ghost was poured out insomuch that many were healed of their infirmities, and prophesied, some saw visions, others spoke in different languages by the gift and power of God as on the day of Pentecost. The language or dialect of various tribes of the American Indians was spoken, and that too by persons who had never spoken with an Indian in their lives. I will own, that though I believed, I was astonished, but will add that I have since traveled among various tribes of Indians in the central and uncultivated parts of America and have recognized not only the language, but the gesture and very manner in which it was spoken.
“One may inquire why it was that the spirit of God dictated these individuals to speak in the language of these wandering outcasts. Oh! here is the mystery that the world hath not seen. These are a remnant of Israel, the descendants of Joseph, and heirs to the promises made to their fathers; see Book of Mormon.”
Autobiography of Jesse W. Crosby, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; http://www.boap.org/

70.              “I [John Corrill] attended several meetings, one of which was the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, which, I thought, would give me a good opportunity to detect their hypocrisy. The meeting lasted all night, and such a meeting I never attended before. They administered the sacrament, and laid on hands, after which I heard them prophesy and speak in tongues unknown to me. Persons in the room, who took no part with them, declared, from the knowledge they had of the Indian languages, that the tongues spoken were regular Indian dialects, which I was also informed, on inquiry, the persons who spoke had never learned. I watched closely and examined carefully, every movement of the meeting, and after exhausting all my powers to find the deception, I was obliged to acknowledge, in my own mind that the meeting had been inspired by some supernatural agency. The next day I returned home, satisfied that the evil reports were not true, and spent about six weeks more in the further investigation of the subject.”
John Corrill, A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints (Commonly Called Mormons, Including an Account of their Doctrine and Discipline, with the Reasons of the Author for Leaving the Church) (St. Louis, n.p., 1839).

71.              The following is from Benjamin Brown who lived during the Nauvoo years of the Church.
“The oil arriving, we administered some to her internally, in the name of the Lord, when she arouse without assistance. . . .”
Autobiography of Benjamin Brown; htpp://www.boap.org/

72.               From the autobiography of Levi Hancock:   “Spring has come. I go to the West, I went through Cleveland, Ohio holding meetings along the way. Went through Elina into Brownhelm where we held meetings and baptized and confirmed seventy-one (71) at one meeting from under my own hand. I felt so happy and blessed. We then returned to Rome.”
Autobiography of Levi Hancock, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; http://www.boap.org/

73.              The following from the autobiography of Philo Dibble: When Joseph came to Kirtland his fame spread far and wide. There was a woman [Elsa Johnson] living in the town of Hiram, forty miles from Kirtland, who had a crooked arm, which she had not been able to use for a long period. She persuaded her husband, whose name was [John] Johnson, to take her to Kirtland to get her arm healed.
   I saw them as they passed my house on their way. She went to Joseph and requested him to heal her. Joseph asked her if she believed the Lord was able to make him an instrument in healing her arm. She said she believed the Lord was able to heal her arm.
   Joseph put her off till the next morning, when he met her at Brother [Newel K.] Whitney's house. There were eight persons present, one a Methodist preacher [Ezra Booth], and one a doctor. Joseph took her [Elsa Johnson] by the hand, prayed in silence a moment, pronounced her arm whole, in the name of Jesus Christ, and turned and left the room.
   The preacher asked her if her arm was whole, and she straightened it out and replied: "It is as good as the other." The question was then asked if it would remain whole. Joseph hearing this, answered and said: "It is as good as the other, and as liable to accident as the other."
   The doctor who witnessed this miracle came to my house the next morning and related the circumstance to me. He attempted to account for it by his false philosophy, saying that Joseph took her by the hand, and seemed to be in prayer, and pronounced her arm whole in the name of Jesus Christ, which excited her and started perspiration, and that relaxed the cords of her arm.
“Early Scenes in Church History, Four Faith Promoting Classics, Philo Dibble Autobiography (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968), 74-96.

74.              Even before missionaries first visited the Maori people of New Zealand, their king (King Tawhiao), in 1879 prophesied that men from the true church will come and visit them. He said, “They will not come to you and return to European accommodations, but they will stay with you, talk with you, eat with you, and abide with you.” Paora Potangaroa, a spiritual leader among the Maori elaborated by explaining that these ministers of the true religion would travel in pairs and always raise their right arm to the square while perform holy ordinances. It’s interesting to note that the first missionaries to the Maori’s began teaching in 1881 with the first branch being established in 1883.
Hunt, Brian W. Zion in New Zealand, 1854-1977 (Temple View, New Zealand: Church College of New Zealand, 1977), 9; Cowley, Matthew. “Maori Chief Predicts Coming of L.D.S. Missionaries.” Improvement Era, September 1950, 696.

75.              From the journal of Arocet Lucious Hale: I will here relate a prophecy of President Kimball upon my head. I was taken sick before my father, with the ague and fever shook about two hours in the forenoon and a burning fever in the afternoon. I was not able to take care of myself. Brother Kimball came into the tent where I was laying on the bed. He said, "Aroet, where are your cattle that your father moved into this camp with?" Father nor me has seen an ox or cow for two weeks. Says he, "Aroet, if you will get up tomorrow morning and go and hunt cattle enough to move your wagons out of this camp, up to Winter Quarters, you never shall have another ague shake as long as you live." I tried to make some excuse but no good. Some of the brethren and sisters had gathered around the tent door, hearing them talk to me. Said he, "Will you go?" I said, "I will try to go." Brother Kimball spoke to Uncle James Allred [written above line: then administered to me]. Said he, "Brother Allred, you have a horse, saddle and bridle here tomorrow by eight o'clock. Brother Hale is going to get cattle enough to take his wagons up to Winter Quarters, at my camp, a distance of twelve miles."
   In the morning, Brother Allred was there with the riding animals which were a little white mules which belonged to some of the brethren that had come from Texas that year. I started according to agreement. They watched me as far as they could see me. Some of the women said that I would never return alive. Some found fault with Brother Kimball to sending a boy as sick as I was alone to hunt cattle. I rode to Mosquito Creek, five miles. I was nearly checked for water. I corralled my mule to the creek and had a good drink of water, laid back on the bank to rest me, and fell asleep. I did not wake up until after dark. I found my mules a short distance below on the creek. I caught the mules and was thinking what to do. I had not seen any camps as yet on the creek. While thinking what course to pursue, I heard a dog bark up the creek. I crawled on to the mule and started up the creek. I soon found a camp and told them who I was and what I was after. The man was a little acquainted with father. They took me in and took care of me and in the morning sent a boy with me. The third day I found three oxen and one cow. I returned to camp. Some were surprised to see me. Others were soon inquiring about Brother Kimball. Previously I told them I had not had an ague shake once I left them. I then and there bore my testimony that if there ever was a prophet of God on this earth, that President Heber C. Kimball was one.
Journal of Arocet Lucious Hale, Typescript, HBLL; htpp://www.boap.org/

76.              The Prophet Joseph predicted a curse on John C. Bennett. He told him if he did not repent of his sins and sin no more, the curse of God Almighty would rest upon him, that he would die a vagabond upon the face of the earth, without friends to buy him. He told him that he stunk of women. In the year 1850, President Young was speaking about the matter. He said that he had watched the life of John C. Bennett. Bennett went to California in the great gold fever excitement, that Bennett died in one of the lowest slums of California, that he was dragged out with his boots on, put into a cart, hauled off, and dumped into a hole, a rotten mass of corruption. This prediction or prophecy came to pass as well as many others that I heard the Prophet Joseph make.
             Journal of Arocet Lucious Hale, Typescript, HBLL; htpp://www.boap.org/

77.              The following story is in reference to the revelation received by President John Taylor on October 13, 1882 calling George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant to the Apostleship.
   An experience of Elder Heber J. Grant a few months later gives some background to this revelation. Heber reported that for the first few months of his apostleship he felt that he was not qualified to be a special witness of the Savior. While traveling on the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona in February 1883, helping establish the Church among the Indians, Elder Grant told his companions he wanted some time by himself and took a different route to their destination. He later recounted what happened as he rode:
   “I seemed to see, and I seemed to hear, what to me is one of the most real things in all my life, I seemed to see a Council in heaven. I seemed to hear the words that were spoken. . . . In this Council the Savior was present, my father [Jedediah M. Grant] was there, and the Prophet Joseph Smith was there. They discussed the question that a mistake had been made in not filling those two vacancies and that in all probability it would be another six months before the Quorum would be completed, and they discussed as to whom they wanted to occupy those positions, and decided that the way to remedy the mistake that had been made in not filling these vacancies was to send a revelation. It was given to me that the Prophet Joseph Smith and my father mentioned me and requested that I be called to that position. I sat there and wept for joy. . . .
   “. . . From that day I have never bothered, night or day, with the idea that I was not worthy to stand as an Apostle.”
B.H. Roberts, Life of John Taylor (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1963), 349-351.
In Conference Report, 4 Apr. 1941, pp. 4-5.

78.              Because of concerns that his first baptism, which took place in the family bathtub, might not have been performed appropriately, Spencer W. Kimball is baptized a second time, in the Union Canal in Thatcher, Arizona.
              Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 194.

79.              Heber J. Grant is baptized in City Creek in Salt Lake City, the second of four future Presidents of the Church to be baptized in the same location.
             Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 108.

80.              In April of 1919, Gordon B. Hinckley is baptized at eight years of age, location unknown. Of the site he states: “It’s the only secret I have left! It was done by proper authority in a proper place.”
              Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 83.

81.              The following from Zebedee Coltrin:
   In reference to the School of the Prophet: The salutation as written in the Doctrine and Covenants [D&C 88:136-141] was carried out at that time, and at every meeting, and the washing of feet was attended to, the sacrament was also administered at times when Joseph appointed, after the ancient order; that is, warm bread to break easy was provided and broken into pieces as large as my fist and each person had a glass of wine and sat and ate the bread and drank the wine; and Joseph said that was the way that Jesus and his disciples partook of the bread and wine. And this was the order of the church anciently and until the church went into darkness. Every time we were called together to attend to any business, we came together in the morning about sunrise, fasting and partook of the sacrament each time, and before going to school we washed ourselves and put on clean linen.
Minutes, Salt Lake City School of the Prophets, October 3, 1883.

82.              The following from the autobiography of Cordelia Morley Cox
While I am on earth and able to write with the pen in my own hand, I will give to my children and my children's children, a testimony that I know that God lives and will bless all those who wish to do his will. I was baptized when eight years old. I always tried to bear a good name and follow the teachings of my parents and those whose right it was to rule over me. In the spring of forty-four [1844], plural marriage was introduced to me by my parents from Joseph Smith, asking their consent and a request to me to be his wife. Imagine if you can my feelings, to be a plural wife, something I never thought I ever could. I knew nothing of such religion and could not accept it. Neither did I.
   In June 1844, Joseph Smith was martyred and it was a time of mourning for all. After Joseph Smith's death, I was visited by some of his most intimate friends who knew his request and explained to me this religion, counseling me to accept his wishes for he now was gone and could do no more for himself. I accepted Joseph Smith's desire and in 1846, January 27, was married to your father in the Nauvoo Temple. While still kneeling upon the altar, my hand clasped in his, now his wife, he gave his consent and I was sealed to Joseph Smith for eternity. I lived with your father and loved him. I was satisfied with the course I had taken. I had three little girls with him. I took comfort [they were] born under the new and everlasting covenant. I had not doubted. I thought if one principle taught by Joseph Smith was true, all he taught must be true. I was sincere in my belief and had never doubted the truth of what I had accepted. Still, I had no testimony for myself of the truth of such a principle and became acquainted with the trials and hardships of such a life but was satisfied and contented in the course I had taken. I had three little girls born under the new and everlasting covenant. I loved them and took good care of them.
   The Latter-day Saints were preparing to leave and come to Utah. We lived in a settlement where as the Mormons moved away, the Gentiles would buy the improvements until our family was left quite alone with the outside world. Then they began to persecute us. Your father was taken into a Gentile court and tried for breaking laws of the land by living with more than one wife. I had a true companion; her husband was mine also. We were driven from our home in the dead of winter. They told us our religion was false and we had been deceived. I had no one to go to for knowledge or for comfort. I began to worry and to wonder if I had in these ears been so deceived. I longed for a testimony from my Father in Heaven, to know for myself whether I was right or wrong. I was called a fallen woman. The finger of scorn was pointed at me. I felt that it was more than I could endure and in the humility of my soul, I prayed that I might have a testimony from him who knows the hearts of all. One night I dreamed. I thought I was in the midst of a multitude of people. President Young arose and spoke to the people. He then said there would be a spirit go around to whisper comfort in the ear of everyone. All was silent as death as I sat. Then the spirit came to me and whispered in my ear these words, "Don't ever change your condition or wish it otherwise," for I was better off than thousands and thousands of others. This brought peace to my mind and I have felt satisfied ever since. The Lord has been my guide; in Him I put my trust. I am thankful that I have been true to the covenants I have made with my Father in Heaven. I am thankful for my children that have been given to me. I pray that God will accept us all, and blessed to come forth through a glorious resurrection and receive a crown of eternal life in His kingdom.
Cordelia Cox
Autobiography (1823-1909),Holograph, HBLL
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CORDELIA MORLEY COX

83.              Savalla Bishop Melville, daughter of William Henry Bishop wrote the following:
Grandfather followed his trade of smithing, was delegated by the Church to do work for the Indians for tithing.
Autobiography of Henry William Bigler, Typescript HBLL, http://www.boap.org/

84.              March 15, 1887: Attended Theological class. Restoration was spoken upon. Bishop gave us to understand that no more tithing would be received. The name must be changed to donations. Wondered if the changing of the name would affect many.
              Excerpts from the Journal of Douglas M. Todd, Sr.
The next entry from Brother Todd’s Journal may explain why his bishop wanted to change the name of tithing to donations:
January 29, 1888: Pres. Smoot and counselor spoke to us today. Bro. S. said that no more than 25% of the tithing was paid. We will eventually rule the nations if but 12 men remain true.
Excerpts from the Journal of Douglas M. Todd, Sr.

85.              Green Flake was one of three African/Americans to enter the Salt Lake Valley with the first group of Saints in 1847. He might also be the first human being to be used as a means of paying tithing. Green Flakes owners joined the Church during the winter of 1843-1844 in North Carolina. At the time of the Flakes coming into the Church they gave all their slaves freedom if they so desired. Green Flake chose to stay with them. After Brother Flake passed away, his wife chose to leave the Salt Lake Valley and move to California. Before leaving she settled her tithing, using Green Flake as partial payment. Benefitting from his services for a short time, Brigham Young soon gave him his freedom.
              Van Wagoner, Richard S. And Steven C. Walker, A Book of Mormons (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1982).

86.              Christina Ericka Forsgren converted to the Gospel in a remarkable manner.  Born in Gefle, Sweden, she had been trained in the faith of the Lutheran Church from infancy.  As she grew to womanhood, however, she became dissatisfied with this church and prayed the Lord would show her the true path of salvation.  One Sabbath Day in church, she had an open vision in which it was made known to her that the Lutheran, or State church, was a man-made church without divine authority, and that God did not acknowledge it.  In the same vision she was shown that on a certain day a man would come to her with three books and that all who believed and accepted the things written in those books would be saved.  In fulfillment of this vision on the fifth day of July, 1850, Elder John Eric Forsgren, a long lost brother visited her as a missionary of the Mormon Church and preached the gospel to her, making her acquainted with the three books—the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants!
Among other visions, she saw in her native land of Gefle, Sweden, a vision of her future husband, and that she would enter into the sacred principle of plural marriage.  This had its fulfillment when she met Bishop Davis in the year 1853, for she recognized in him at once, the man shown to her in vision as her husband.
The following history of WILLIAM DAVIS was taken from a manuscript on file in the Brigham City, UT, city library.

87.              The following is related by Harrison Burgess
     On the third Sabbath in May while speaking to a congregation I declared that I knew that the Book of Mormon and the work of God were true. The next day while laboring in the field something seemed to whisper to me, “Do you know the book [Book] of Mormon is true?” My mind became perplexed and darkened, and I was so tormented in spirit that I left my work and retired into the woods. The misery and distress that I there experienced cannot be described. The tempter all the while seemed to say, “Do you know that the Book of Mormon is true?”
     I remained in this situation about two hours. Finally I resolved to know, by exercising faith similar to that which the Brother of Jared possessed, whether I had proclaimed the truth or not, and commenced praying to the God of Heaven for a testimony of these things. Suddenly a glorious personage clothed in white stood before me and exhibited to my view the plates from which the Book of Mormon was taken.
Harrison Burgess, “Labor in the Vineyard,” Twelfth Book of the Faith Promoting Series, p. 65-6.

88.              The following vision is recorded by Harrison Burgess.
     The Lord blessed His people abundantly in that Temple [i.e. the Kirtland Temple] with the Spirit of prophecy, the ministering of angels, visions, etc. I will here relate a vision which was shown to me. It was near the close of the endowments. I was in a meeting for instruction in the upper part of the Temple, with about a hundred of the High Priests, Seventies and Elders. The Saints felt to shout “Hosannah!” and the Spirit of God rested upon me in mighty power and I behold the room lighted up with a peculiar light such as I had never seen before. It was soft and clear and the room looked to me as though it had neither roof nor floor to the building and I beheld the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Roger Orton enveloped in the light: Joseph exclaimed aloud, “behold the Savior, the Son of God.” Hyrum said, “I behold the angels of heaven.” Brother Orton exclaimed, “I behold the chariots of Israel.”
     All who were in the room felt the power of God to that degree that many prophesied, and the power of God was made manifest, the remembrance of which will remain with me while I live upon the earth.
Harrison Burgess, “Labors in the Vineyard,” Twelfth Book of the Faith Promoting Series, p. 67.

89.              The following from Brigham Young:   We look around today and behold our city clothed with verdure and beautified with trees and flowers, with streams of water running in almost every direction, and the question is frequently asked: “How did you ever find this place?” I answered; we were led to it by the inspiration of God. After the death of Joseph Smith, when it seemed as if every trouble and calamity had come upon the Saints, Brigham Young, who was President of the Twelve, then the presiding Quorum of the Church, sought the Lord to know what they should do, and where they should lead the people for safety, and while they were fasting and praying daily on this subject, President Young had a vision of Joseph Smith, who showed him the mountain that we now call Ensign Peak, immediately north of Salt Lake City, and there was an ensign fell upon that peak, and Joseph Said, “Build under the point where the colors fall and you will prosper and have peace.” The pioneers had no pilot or guide, none among them had never been in the country or knew anything about it. However, they travelled under the direction of President Young until they reached this valley. When they entered it President Young pointed to that peak, and, said he, “I want to go there.” He went up to the point and said, “This is Ensign Peak. Now, brethren, organize your exploring parties, so as to be safe from Indians; go and explore where you will, and you will come back every time and say this is the best place.” They accordingly started out exploring companies and visited what we now call Cache, Malad, Tooele, and Utah valleys, and other parts of the country in various directions, but all came back and declared this was the best spot.
Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. (Liverpool: Latter-day Saint’s Book Depot, 1854-86), 13:85-6.

90.              The following is an experience as recorded by Philo Dibble turning the tumultuous Missouri years.
   On my return home, when I got to Liberty, midway between Lexington and Far West, I concluded I would travel from there home by night, as it was very warm during the day. The road led through a strip of timber for four miles, and after that across a prairie for twenty miles.
When I had traveled about two-thirds of the way across the prairie, riding on horseback, I heard the cooing of the prairie hens. I looked northward and saw, apparently with my natural vision, a beautiful city, the streets of which ran north and south. I also knew there were streets running east and west, but could not trace them with my eye for the buildings. The walks on each side of the streets were as white as marble, and the trees on the outer side of the marble walks had the appearance of locust trees in autumn. This city was in view for about one hour-and-a-half, as near as I could judge, as I traveled along. When I began to descend towards the Crooked River the timber through which I passed hid the city from my view. Every block in this mighty city had sixteen spires, four on each corner, each block being built in the form of a hollow square, within which I seemed to know that the gardens of the inhabitants were situated. The corner buildings on which the spires rested were larger and higher than the others, and the several blocks were uniformly alike. The beauty and grandeur of the scene I cannot describe. While viewing the city the buildings appeared to be transparent. I could not discern the inmates, but I appeared to understand that they could discern whatever passed outside.
Whether this was a city that has been or is to be I cannot tell. It extended as far north as Adam-ondi-Ahman, a distance of about twenty-eight miles. Whatever is revealed to us by the Holy Ghost will never be forgotten.
“Early Scenes in Church History, Four Faith Promoting Classics, Philo Dibble Autobiography, (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968), 74-96.

91.              The following is an incident that William Clayton’s wife experienced:
   16 July 1845, Wednesday: Evening I went to see Diantha. We walked out some together. She seemed to feel very bad about something which passed during her visit this afternoon. When we returned to her home I saw that her mind was affected and she was likely to have another fit of mental derangement. I tried to persuade her to go to bed but she was unwilling, but I finally got her mother to make her a bed down stairs and we put her to bed by force. Soon as she got laid down she began to toss about and rave as if in great pain which seemed to increase until she was perfectly out of her mind and raging. She tore her hair and I then held her which required all the force I had got to hold her hands. She continued about three quarters of an hour in this distressing situation and about half past 10 Sister Farr went and called Brother Farr. He came down and laid hands on her and rebuked the evil spirit and commanded it to leave her in the name of the Lord. She immediately calmed down and seemed to fall into a mild asleep. Soon after she commenced talking or rather answering questions. She seemed to be in the world of spirits on a visit, and about the first she conversed with was Brother Joseph (Smith) and the conversation seemed to be on the subject of the massacre. She then appeared to go and visit a number of her dead relatives who invariably enquired about their relatives on the earth. The answers she gave were literally facts as they exist. She then enquired for William Smith's wife Caroline. She was soon taken to her and entered into conversation. Caroline asked about William, how he acted, how he felt towards the Twelve, what was his course, how her two girls were and whether he had got married. To all these interrogatories she answered in the nicest manner, avoiding carefully anything which would wound Caroline’s feelings. She then enquired for Sister Richards and soon met with her. It seemed by her answers that Sister Richards asked how the Doctor felt when she left him, how his children were, and whether Lucy lived with him, all which she answered correctly. She then visited Wm. Snows first wife and conversed about Wm. and his daughter and father. She then appeared to go back to Brother Joseph and Hyrum Smith and father Smith. Joseph asked about Emma and the children and how the Twelve and Emma felt towards each other and all which she answered wisely but truly. He also asked about Lydia and gave her some instructions for Lydia. He asked about me and told her I was a good man. When she parted with her friends she always bid the “good-bye” but when she parted with Joseph she said, “I am not in the habit of kissing men but I want to  kiss you” which she appeared to do and then said “farewell.” She then seemed to start back for home. She appeared all the time in a hurry to get back. She said she would like to tarry but she could not leave father and mother and another, but she would soon return and bring them with her and then she would tarry with them. She conversed about two hours in this manner and seemed overjoyed all the time. A pleasant smile sat on her countenance which continued after she awoke. It was one of the most interesting and sweet interviews I ever witnessed, and a very good spirit seemed to prevail all the time. I left about 1 o'clock apparently much composed and comparatively free from pain.
William Clayton’s Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings; http://www.boap.org/

92.              President of the Manti Temple, Anthon H. Lund, relates the following story:
   “I remember one day in the temple at Manti, a brother from Mount Pleasant rode down to the temple to take part in the work, and as he passed the cemetery in Ephraim, he looked ahead (it was early in the morning), and there was a large multitude all dressed in white, and he wondered how that could be. Why should there be so many up here; it was too early for a funeral, he thought; but he drove up and several of them stepped out in front of him and they talked to him. They said, ‘Are you going to the temple?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Well, these that you see here are your relatives and they want you to do work for them.’ ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘but I am going down today to finish my work. I have no more names and I do not know the names of those who you say are related to me.’ ‘But when you go down to the temple today you will find there a record that give our names.’ He was surprised. He looked until they all disappeared, and drove on. As he came into the temple, Recorder Farnsworth came up to him and said, ‘I have just received records from England and they all belong to you.’ And there were hundreds of names that had just arrived, and what was told him by these persons that he saw was fulfilled. You can imagine what joy came to his heart, and what testimony it was to him that the Lord wants this work done.
Lundwall, N.B., comp. Temples to the Most High (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 116.

93.              From the life of Chapman Duncan:   Born in the state of New Hampshire, Grafton Co. town of Bath July 1st, 1812. Being decided that I was in consumptive state of health, I designed to travel by the way of Louisville, Kentucky, and New Orleans to Demerara, South America, left home September 1832 to recover my health. I took passage at Louisville for New Orleans on the steamboat Warrior. The day before she left the ward, while laying in my state room, the following sentence was spoken to me in an audible voice. I was not asleep. "If you proceed your journey you contemplate, you will surely die, but if you will go to the western border of the state Missouri by the border of the Lamanites you shall live there and you shall find my Church ." I looked around to see who spoke to me. An audible voice answered, "The Holy Ghost." The confirmation which I experienced of the fact that it was the Holy Ghost, I cannot here describe, only that it was I felt a perfect assurance of the spirit of God which affected my whole system. I had not fear or doubt of the heavenly message.
              Autobiography of Chapman Duncan, Typescript, HBLL; http://www.boap.org/

94.              The story of Drusilla Hendricks is typical of the Quincy experience. Her husband, James, had been shot in the neck in the Battle of Crooked River and had to be carried about on a stretcher. The family arrived in Quincy on 1 April and secured a room “partly underground and partly on top of the ground.” Within two weeks they were on the verge of starving, having only one spoonful of sugar and a saucerful of corn meal to eat. Drusilla made mush out of it. Thinking they would eventually starve, she washed everything, cleaned their little room thoroughly, and waited for the worst. That afternoon Rubin Allred came by and told her he had had a feeling they were out of food, so on his way into town he had a sack of grain ground into meal for them. Two weeks later they were again without food. Drusilla remembered, “I felt awful, but the same voice that gave me comfort before was there to comfort me again and it said, hold on, the Lord will provide for his Saints.” This time Alexander Williams arrived at the back door with two bushels of meal on his shoulder. He told her he had been extremely busy but the Spirit had whispered to him that “Brother Hendricks’ family is suffering, so I dropped everything and came by.”
Drusilla Doris Hendricks, “Historical Sketch of James Hendricks and Drusilla Dorris Hendricks,” typescript, LDS Historical Department, Salt Lake City, 22-23.

95.              From the life of Lucy Mack Smith: “I had for a long time braced every nerve, roused every energy of my soul and called upon God to strengthen me,” said Mother Smith, “but when I entered the room and saw my murdered sons extended both at once before my eyes and heard the sobs and groans of my family and the cries of ‘Father! Husbands! Brothers!’ from the lips of their wives, children, brothers, and sisters, it was too much; I sank back, crying to the Lord in the agony of my soul. ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken this family!’” In reply Mother Smith heard a voice say to her, “I have taken them to myself, that they might have rest.”
             Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother. Ed. Preston Nibley (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1956), 324.

96.              The following from the life of Jacob Hamblin:
   In February, 1842, a neighbor called at my house and told me that he had heard a “Mormon” Elder preach. He asserted that he preached more Bible doctrine than any other man he had ever listened to, and that he knew what he preached was true. He claimed that the gospel had been restored to the earth, and that it was the privilege of all who heard it to know and understand it for themselves.
   What this neighbor told me so influenced my mind, that I could scarcely attend to my ordinary business.
   The Elder had left an appointment to preach again at the same place, and I went to hear him. When I entered the house he had already commenced his discourse. I shall never forget the feeling that came over me when I saw his face and heard his voice. He preached that which I had long been seeking for; I felt that it was indeed the gospel.
   The principles he taught appeared so plain and natural, that I thought it would be easy to convince any one of their truth. In closing his remarks, the Elder bore testimony to the truth of the gospel.
   The query came to my mind: How shall I know whether or not these things are so, and be satisfied? As if the Spirit prompted him to answer my inquiry, he again arose to his feet and said: “If there is anyone in the congregation who wishes to know how he can satisfy himself of the truth of these things, I can assure him that if he will be baptized, and have hands laid upon him for the gift of the Holy Ghost, he shall have an assurance of their truth.”
   This so fired up my mind, that I at once determined to be baptized, and that too, if necessary, at the sacrifice of the friendship of my kindred and of every earthly tie.
   I immediately went home and informed my wife of my intentions.
   She told me that if I was baptized into the “Mormon” Church, I need not expect her to live with me anymore.
   The evening after the Elder had preached I went in search of him, and found him quite late at night. I told him my purpose, and requested him to give me a “Mormon Bible.” He handed me the Old and New Testaments.
   I said, “I thought you had a new Bible. He then explained about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and handed me a copy of it.
   The impressions I received at the time cannot be forgotten. The spirit rested upon me and bore testimony of its truth, and I felt like opening my mouth and declaring it to be a revelation from God.
   On the 3rd of March, 1842, as soon as it was light in the morning, I started for a pool of water where had arranged to meet with the Elder, to attend to the ordinance of Baptism. On the way, the thought of the sacrifice I was making of wife, of father, mother, brothers, sister and numerous other connections, caused my resolution to waver.
   As my pace slackened, some person appeared to come from above, who, I thought, was my grandfather. He seemed to say to me, “Go on, my son; your heart cannot conceive, neither has it entered into your mind to imagine the blessings that are in store for you, if you go on and continue in this work.”
   I lagged no more, but hurried to the pool, where I was baptized by Elder Lyman Stoddard.
   It was said in my confirmation, that the spirits in prison greatly rejoiced over what I had done. I told Elder Stoddard my experience on my way to the water.
   He then explained to me the work there was for me to do for my fathers, if I was faithful, all of which I believed and greatly rejoiced in.
   On my way home, I called at the house of one of my neighbors. The family asked me if I had not been baptized by the “Mormon” Elder. I replied that I had. They stated that they believed what he preached to be the truth, and hoped they might have the opportunity of being baptized.
   The following day Elder Stoddard came to my house, and told me that he had intended to leave the country, but could not go without coming to see me. For what purpose he had come, he knew not.
   I related to him what my neighbors had said. He held more meetings in the place, and organized a branch before leaving.
   When my father learned that I had joined the “Mormons,” he said he thought he had brought up his children so that none of them would ever be deceived by priestcraft; at the same time he turned from my gate, and refused to enter my house.
   Other relatives said that my father knew better than to be deceived as I had been. I answered them by predicting that, much as he knew, I would baptize him into the Church before I was two years older.
   All my relatives, except one brother, turned against me, and seemed to take pleasure in speaking all manner of evil against me. I felt that I was hated by all my former acquaintances. This was a great mystery to me.
   I prayed to the Lord and was comforted. I knew that I had found the valuable treasure spoken of by our Savior, and I was willing to sacrifice all things for it.
   My wife’s father took great pains to abuse and insult me with his tongue. Without having any conception how my prediction would be fulfilled, I said to him one day, “You will not have the privilege of abusing me much more.” A few days after he was taken sick, and died.
   Soon after the death of her father, my wife asked me, good-naturedly, why I did not pray in the house or with her. I replied that I felt better to pray by myself than I did before unbelievers. She said that she was a believer; that her father had appeared to her in a dream and told her not to oppose me anymore as she had done; and that he was in trouble on account of the way he had used me. Soon after this she was baptized, which was a great comfort to me.
   In the autumn of 1842, Elder Stoddard returned to the country where I lived, to labor in the ministry, and ordained me an Elder.
   About the same time my wife was taken very sick. By her request, I administered to her, and she was immediately healed. I visited my father and told him that signs followed the believer, as in the days of the apostles; that I was a believer, and had been ordained an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that the signs followed my ministrations.
   He ordered me out of his house for believing such nonsense. I went out, reflecting as to whether or not I had done wrong in predicting that I would baptize him in less than two years.
   Sometime after this he was taken sick, and I went to see him. My mother told me he had the spotted fever, and that there was no hope of his recovery. She believed he was dying, and so it appeared to me; but I thought that God could and would save him if I prayed for him.
   I retired to a private place, and prayed to the God of Abraham to have mercy on my father and heal him, that he might have an opportunity of obeying the gospel, and said:
   It was a moonlight night, and when I returned to the house my mother stood at the door. She spoke to me very kindly, and said:
   “Jacob, the fever has left your father; he has spoken and wants to see you.”
   As I approached him he said, “The fever has left me, and your mother says that you came to me and went away again. What has made such a sudden change? Do you know?”
   I answered that I had prayed for him, that I was a believer in the gospel of the Son of God, and in the signs following those that believe.
   “Well,” said he, “if it is the gospel, I would like to know it; but if it is priestcraft, I want nothing to do with it.”
   Soon after the sickness of my father, I sold my home, gathered up my effects and started for Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois.
   In passing my father’s house I found him quite well, and he desired me to remain overnight. He showed much interest in the principles of the gospel, and, when I left his house in the morning, the Spirit manifested to me that my father and his household would yet accept the truth. . . .
   . . . .The following winter I assisted in guarding the Saints in and around the city of Nauvoo. My brother Obed lived about thirty miles out in the country. He was taken sick, and sent for me to come and see him.
   On arriving at his house, I found that he had been sick nearly three months, and that doubts were entertained of his recovery. I anointed him with holy oil in the name of the Lord Jesus, laid on hands, and prayed for him, and told him that he should recover, which he did immediately.
   This occurrence had much influence on my parents. They both attended the following April conference. At its close, my father asked me if I did not wish to baptize him and my mother. As they were both desirous that I should do so, I baptized them in the Mississippi river, on April 11th, 1845.
   My father told me that it was not any man’s preaching that had convinced him of the truth of the gospel, but the Lord had shown it to him in night visions. Said he, “It is your privilege to baptize your parents, for you have prayed for them in secret and in public; you never gave them up; you will be a Joseph to your father’s house.”
Three Mormon Classics, Jacob Hamblin, James A. Little comp., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), 203-211, 214.

97.              From the journal of Wilford Woodruff:  While returning to Utah in 1850, with a large company of Saints from Boston and the east, on my arrival at Pittsburg, I engaged a passage for myself and company on a steamer to St. Louis. But no sooner had I engaged the passage than the Spirit said to me, “Go not on board of that steamer, neither you nor your company.”
   I obeyed the revelation to me, and I did not go on board, but took another steamer.
   The first steamer started at dark, with two hundred passengers on board. When five miles down the Ohio River it took fire and burned the tiller ropes, so that the vessel could not reach the shore, and the lives of nearly all on board were lost either by fire or water. We arrived in safety at our destination, by obeying the revelation of the Spirit of God to us.
Leaves From My Journal, Preston Nibley, comp. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), 102-103.

98.              The following story is from Jacob Hamblin’s mission to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland:
   The way appeared to be opening up for a good work to be done in that country, when, about the 4th of July, news reached me that the Prophet, about whom I had preached so much, had been shot by a mob when confined in jail. I did not believe the report until I offered to preach to those who were gathered around me in the small town of Mechanicsburg. They manifested a spirit of exultation, and a feeling of deep gloom passed over me. I felt more like weeping than preaching.
   I concluded to hunt up my companion, from whom I was then separated. For this purpose I started for Hagerstown, where I hoped to find him, or learn of his whereabouts.
   I had traveled about a mile when I came to a cross road, and the Spirit whispered to me, “Stop here, and Brother Myers will soon be along.” I remained on the spot about ten minutes, when I saw him coming, with his hat in one hand and his valise in the other. He did not believe that the Prophet was killed.
   We journeyed together to Lightersburg. After meeting and passing many people, the Spirit indicated to us that a man on the opposite side of the street was an Elder in Israel. It proved to be a Latter-day Saint Elder, who had reliable information of the murder of the Prophet Joseph and the Patriarch Hyrum Smith. He also informed us that the Elders who were abroad were all called home.
James A. Little, Jacob Hamblin in Three Mormon Classics, Preston Nibley, comp. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), 210.

99.              From the life of Jacob Hamblin:   I settled, with my father and brothers, in Tooele Valley, thirty-five miles west of Salt Lake City. The people built their houses in the form of a fort, to protect themselves from the Indians, who frequently stole their horses and cattle. Men were sent against them from Salt Lake City, but all to no purpose. The Indians would watch them during the day, and steal from them at night.
   This kind of warfare was carried on for about three years, during which time there was no safety for our horses or cattle. We had a military company, of which I was first lieutenant. I went with the captain on several expeditions against the thieves, but without accomplishing much good. They would watch our movements in the canyons, and continually annoy us.
   At one time, I took my wife three miles up a canyon, to gather wild fruit while I got down timber from the mountain. We had intended to remain over night, but while preparing a place to sleep, a feeling came over me that the Indians were watching with the intention of killing us during the night.
   I at once yoked my oxen, put my wife and her babe on the wagon, and went home in the evening. My wife expressed surprise at my movements, and I told her that the Indians were watching us. She wished to know how I knew this, and asked if I had seen or heard them. I replied that I knew it on the same principle that I knew that the gospel was true.
   The following day I returned to the canyon. Three Indians had come down on the road during the night, and robbed a wagon of a gun, ammunition and other valuables. One of them, from the size of the track, must have been an Indian known as “Old Big Foot.” I thanked the Lord that He had warned me in time to save my wife and child, as well as myself.
Ill now fast forward to a year later. . .
   Afterwards, when trying to make peace with these Indians, “Big Foot” told me, that himself and party had laid their plans to kill me and my wife and child, the summer before when in Pine Canyon, had we remained there over night.
James A. Little, Jacob Hamblin in Three Mormon Classics, Preston Nibley, comp. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), 220-221, 224.

100.          The following from Mosiah Hancock:   When we got to Cash Cave we met father and Brother David Pettigrew going back to the bluff for us. So father returned with us to the valley. While we were going down East Canyon Creek mother's foot got caught in between the box and wagon tongue and broke the toe at the upper joint; but the skin was not broken. So father anointed her foot there and administered to her and it was healed quite soon.
Autobiography of Mosiah Hancock, Typescript, BYU-S; http://www.boap.org/

101.          The following is a blessing that Dwight Harding, a bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith received:
   Dwight took seriously ill and his life was despaired of, but Phebe [his wife] prayed that his life might be spared, and sent for the elders. In the blessing, they asked the Lord to be mindful of Dwight, and he was promised that he would recover and take his family to the Salt Lake Valley to be among the Saints. He was also promised that he would live another twenty years. He lived twenty years and a few days after that blessing.
Kathryn H. Burrell, “Pioneers of Faith, Courage, and Endurance.” Chronicles of Courage: Daughters of Utah Pioneers (Salt Lake City: Utah Printing Company, 1991), 2:80.

102.          Most Latter-day Saints are aware of the early church practice of adoptions to general authorities. Many converts did not always have parents that were receptive to the church and since it is important that individuals are sealed into a family unit this then was the catalyst to perform the adoption. What may not be quite so familiar is the reasoning why this practice was ended.
Gradually the practice of adoption gave way to the more natural principle of being sealed to one’s own family—for several reasons. It was seldom convenient for Church leaders to be in attendance, as required, for temple adoptions. Furthermore, some leaders fell away from the Church, leaving confusion and dismay in the minds of their adopted families. More important, the emerging understanding of the doctrine that “all who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom” (D&C 137:7) gave renewed hope for all ancestors, regardless of their faith and condition in this life.
Arnold K. Garr, Donald Q. Cannon, and Richard O. Cowan, Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000), 10.

103.          Sarah Delight Stocking Woodruff, fifth wife of Wilford Woodruff, shares this experience shortly after the Stocking family left Nauvoo on route to Winter Quarters:
   During the journey Sarah’s mother became ill with cholera and died. Wrapped in a sheet and covered with a thick bark from a nearby tree, her body was placed in the earth and covered with dirt and rock. The cholera epidemic was increasing, and the sick were not recovering. Sarah was very ill, and pleaded with her father to baptize her in the river, explaining that she knew if he would do so she would be made well, but if he did not, she would die. Her father decided to do so as she asked, although he was fearful her death might be hastened as a result of the baptism. He carried the child in a chair to the riverbank. News spread through the camp, and many of the company gathered to witness the ceremony. Some remonstrated with him, but he explained Sarah’s faith was strong, and he must comply with her wishes. She was taken in his arms into the water where he baptized her three times. After the third immersion she was healed and walked from the water unaided.
Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Chronicles of Courage (Salt Lake City: Utah Printing Company, 1991), 2:143.

104.          In this dispensation the first public mention of baptism for the dead was, according to the Prophet Joseph Smith’s own declaration, made during the Prophet’s sermon at the funeral of Seymour Brunson on 15 August 1840. (It seems apparent that he had been contemplating the subject for a time.) After the funeral service, a widow named Jane Neyman, too whom the Prophet had referred in his sermon, was baptized vicariously for her deceased son in the Mississippi River—the first occasion of the performance of the ordinance in modern times. In early days proxies were baptized for individuals regardless of gender (JD, 5:85), but now females stand as proxies only for females, and males only for males.
Arnold K. Garr, Donald Q. Cannon, and Richard O. Cowan, Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000), 76.
105.          The Salt Lake Temple is the first temple to be graced with an angel identified as Moroni. Cyrus Dallin was solicited by President Woodruff to design a statue that could be placed on the 210-foot central east spire of the temple. What is interesting in this situation is that Cyrus was not a member of the Church and at first refused the offer saying he “didn’t believe in angels.” Undaunted, President Woodruff told Cyrus before he finalized his decision that he consult with his L.D.S mother. Dallin’s mother was able to convince him to do the work by stating, “Why do you say that? [not believe in angels] You call me your ‘angel mother.’ ” She encouraged him to study LDS scripture for inspiration. This study led to the formation of a neoclassical angel in robe and cap, standing upright with a trumpet in hand. The original 40-inch plaster model was completed by 4 October 1891 and exhibited at the Salt Lake Fair. A full-size model (12 feet 5 inches) was sent to Salem, Ohio, where the statue was hammered out of copper and covered with 22-karat gold leaf.
J. Michael Hunter, “I Saw Another Angel Fly.” Ensign, Jan. 2000, 30.

106.          Emma and her new husband, Lewis Bidamon profited handsomely from tours of Nauvoo. Nevertheless, once the temple burned in 1848 the couple’s salary was drastically cut to what Lewis describes as, “one-fourth the custom (this refers to business) it previously had.” It’s also interesting to note that at the time of the Nauvoo Temple fire that Lewis worked hard at trying to put it out, but to no avail.
Berrett, William E. and Alma P. Burton, Readings in L.D.S. Church History 3 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1955), 2:87.

107.          The shaft stone for the Joseph Smith Memorial in Sharon, Vermont is 38 ½ feet long and was cut from a sixty ton block. To move the shaft stone the six miles from the railhead to the site took twenty days.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church History In The Fulness Of Times (Salt Lake City: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1993), 476.

108.          As the Saints willingly sacrificed time and money to build the temple [Logan Temple], God’s power was witnessed in the preservation of many lives, including that of nineteen-year-old Brother James, who, in the words of Nolan P. Olsen, “had loaded up about two tons of lumber and headed down stream toward the temple. . . . All went well for a short distance, until the wagon wheel hit a soft spot. The river bank caved in, dropping the two wheels and throwing Brother James on the bottom of the stream, with his big load upside down on top of him. It took the workmen nearly a half hour to break the binding and to roll the wagon and lumber from the river. Brother James had been under water for this full length of time. They laid his body on the bank, covered it with a blanket and told one of the boys to get on a horse and come to Logan to tell the parents what had happened to their son.
     “Before the horse could be bridled, the blanket began to move and Brother James was up on his feet. Evidently his wind had been knocked out as his load went over, and he had not breathed for thirty minutes, and had no water in his lungs. The ice cold water had slowed his body processes, and he had no brain or bodily damage of any kind. He was none the worse for the experience, and reloaded his wagon and brought it on down to the temple.”
Chad S. Hawkins, The First 100 Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), 10; Nolan P. Olsen, Logan Temple: The First 100 Years (Logan, Utah: Watkins and Sons, 1978), 73.

109.          Just as the Lord protected the workers as they built the temple [Logan], he protected the completed temple from the desecration and abuse of those who would harm the structure or enter in unworthily. One such example of divine intervention took place at the dedication of the temple in May 1884. As President John Taylor watched the large numbers of people enter the temple, he suddenly turned to President Charles O. Card and said that a certain woman coming through the doorway was not worthy to enter the temple. It was discovered that this woman was not a member, and she was asked to leave. She had purchased the recommend from a member for a dollar. President Taylor had never seen this woman before, but the Spirit had whispered that of all the people in attendance, she was not worthy to be there.
Olsen, Nolan P., Logan Temple: The First 100 Years (Logan, Utah: Watkins and Sons, 1978), 152-153.

110.          President Heber C. Kimball prophesied the following in 1854 when referring to the Manti Temple: “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.” This was literally fulfilled as the decorative tablets on both the west and east ends of the Salt Lake Temple are constructed of rock quarried from the Manti Temple quarry.
             “Spiritual Manifestations in the Manti Temple.” Millennial Star, 13 August 1888, 521.

111.          The Salt Lake Temple foundation was originally constructed of red sandstone. It was this foundation that was found to be cracked when uncovered after the Utah War. Due to the fact that the Saints had to rip the old foundation out and replace with the much stronger granite, the walls of the temple did not actually hit ground level until 1867, a good fourteen years after the corner stone had been laid.
              Hawkins, Chad S., The First 100 Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), 16.

112.          In 1850 the Salt Lake Musical and Dramatic Association was formed in Salt Lake City for the purpose of promoting drama and encouraging music. The association included the old Nauvoo Brass Band and the members of the dramatic club. In 1850 there was located on Temple Square the Bowery, where the people met for worship on the Sabbath Day. The place was a general meetinghouse for civic gatherings as well as for religious meetings, and it also became the first theater. Here, in the early part of the year, “Robert Macaire” was played to crowded houses, and upon one occasion a number of Ute Indians witnessed the play.
             Chronicles of Courage, Daughters of Utah Pioneers (Salt Lake City; Utah Printing Company, 1990) 1:176.

113.          The following from Joseph Fielding: 1846, January 4. Since the death of Joseph and Hyrum, the building of the [Nauvoo] temple has gone on rapidly and contrary to the expectation and prophecy of Sidney Rigdon and others. The roof has been put on, the spire put up and beautifully ornamented. The temple is indeed a noble structure, and I suppose the architects of our day know not of what order to call it, Gothic, Doric, Corinthian or what. I call it heavenly.
Joseph Fielding, Diary (1843-1846), Church Archives in "They Might Have Known That He Was Not a Fallen Prophet"--The Nauvoo Journal of Joseph Fielding," transcribed and edited by Andrew F. Ehat, BYU Studies 19 (Winter 1979).

114.          At a conference in Kirtland the following was resolved, that the recorder of licenses and patriarchal blessings receive, for each one hundred words, ten cents.
Joseph Smith Jr., History of the Church (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1950), 2:528.

115.          Heber C. Kimball records the following in his journal:
   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 . . . 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 the mighty wind, and continued southwest, forming a regular bow dipping in the western horizon. After the bow had formed, it began to widden out and grow clear and transparent, . . . . 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 through out 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 plenty 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 has held those records in this possession. 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 to Man,” he replied, in a lively, pleased manner.
Orson F. Whitney, The Life of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1945), 15-17.

116.          After his trial of the attempted assassination of Missouri’s ex-governor Lilburn W. Boggs, Porter Rockwell was found not guilty by the jury, nevertheless, the same jury found him guilty of jailbreak. The judge sentenced him to 5 minutes in jail.
             The Church News, November 10, 1962.

117.          In reference to the Salt Lake Theater: The theater was managed by Hyrum B. Clawson and John T. Caine, and during their years of management there appeared some of the noted actors of England and America. The local members of the dramatic association played without remuneration, but those who were brought from the eastern states were given good compensation, for it was a long journey over the Plains from the Missouri River by stagecoach to Utah. Among these were Thomas S. Lyne, Sir George Pauncefort, John McCullough, Julia Dean Hayne, Annie Adams, and Sarah Alexander. In 1867, C. W. Couldock came with his daughter from Rawlins, Wyoming, by stagecoach.
Chronicles of Courage, Daughters of Utah Pioneers (Salt Lake City; Utah Printing Company, 1990) 1:180.

118.           Between 1816 and 1845 the cost for sending a single sheet letter less than thirty miles was six cents; not over 80 miles, ten cents; not over 150 miles, 12 ½ cents; and not over 400 miles, 18 ¾ cents. Greater distances cost 25 cents. Letters of two or more sheets required additional postage in proportion. If a letter weighed more than an ounce, the postage quadrupled. For many, postal communication was a luxury. Prior to 1847 when postage stamps were authorized, the collection of postage from the addressee had led to may abuses, including the payment by the addressee of letters containing offensive and insulting messages.
             Arthur E. Summerfield, U.S. Mail: The Story of the United States Postal Service (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1960), 45-46; Clyde Kelly, United States Postal Policy (New York and London: D. Appleton and Co., 1932), 57-58.

119.          The Pony Express was organized in 1859-60 making huge improvements time wise on the speed of the mail, but not cost. The Express drivers were expected to do three laps between stations (usually twenty-four miles apart) at an average of 8 miles an hour. At this rate, a letter from New York to San Francisco could arrive in 13 days. In fact George A. Smith wrote in April of 1861:
   “The Pony Express proved to be quite an institution. The news of the surrender of Fort Sumter reached here (Salt Lake City) in seven days.”
Letter to John L. Smith, Brigham Young, History of Brigham Young. Ms. 1858. (1844-1877) Church Historian’s Library, Salt Lake City., 165.

120.          What was the cost per ounce for a letter on the Pony Express System?
Five dollars! Ouch! So, if you feel the need to complain, don’t.
Berrett, William Edwin, The Restored Church (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1973), 310.

121.          In 1841, a threat of war between the United States and England caused the majority of the brethren to be called home to Nauvoo.
Berrett, William Edwin, The Restored Church (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1973), 153.

122.          When the Word of Wisdom [D&C 89] was first presented by the Prophet Joseph (as he came out of the translating room) and was read to the School, there were twenty out of the twenty-one who used tobacco and they all immediately threw their tobacco and pipes into the fire.
             REMARKS OF ZEBEDEE COLTRIN on KIRTLAND, OHIO HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
             Source: Minutes, Salt Lake City School of the Prophets, October 3, 1883.

123.           The next spring most of the Elders were called to volunteer to go and redeem Jackson County. Albert Miner told Mr. Dennis Lake he would draw cuts, to see who would go and who would stay and take care of both families. It fell on Albert Miner to stay and take care of the families. Dennis Lake went with the company to redeem Jackson County and when he got back he apostatized and sued Joseph Smith for three months work, $60.00.
Autobiography of Tamma Durfee, Typescript, HBLL; htpp://www.boap.org/

124.          During the years 1829-1845 the Aaronic Priesthood was composed primarily of adults with the exception of a few outstanding youth. Their primary duty was to visit members in their homes. Their quorums were stake quorums. This situation resulted primarily to the fact that the endowment ceremony was not in place yet and therefore fewer men were called to the Melchizedek Priesthood.
 From the years 1846-1877 more men now held the Melchizedek Priesthood since one had to be an elder to have their endowment, but men were also called to serve in an acting position in the Aaronic Priesthood. During this time period very few young men held the Aaronic Priesthood.
   In 1877 the First Presidency instructed that every worthy young man receive priesthood ordination. Soon boys from ages 11 to 18 received the priesthood; most became deacons and stayed such until becoming elders. Few boys blessed or passed the sacrament or did what is now called home teaching.
   In 1908 the First Presidency restructured the Aaronic Priesthood to be a priesthood for boys. They approved that worthy boys be ordained at set ages and advance through each office: deacons at age 12, teachers at 15, priests at 18, and elders at 21. . .
   In 1928 the ages of 12, 15, and 18 were changed to 12, 15, 17, respectively, with the elders’ age set at 20. That age was reduced to 18 in October 1934, but by December it was raised to 19. In 1954 the teachers’ age became 14, and the priest’s age was changed to 16, so the ages became 12, 14, and 16, and elders were ordained at age 20 (now 18).
Arnold K. Garr, Donald Q. Cannon, and Richard O. Cowan, Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000), 1-2.

125.          The total weight of gold leaf required to cover a seven-foot statue of the angel Moroni is 1.5 ounces.
             Chad S. Hawkins, The First 100 Temples (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001), 274.

126.          The Beehive Class, a program developed for young women ages 12 to 13, was organized in 1913 to replace the Junior Class in the Young Lady’s Mutual Improvement Association. Established guidelines required the “Young ladies” to accomplish goals to “sleep outside or with wide open window; refrain from candy, chewing gum, sundaes, and sodas for at least two months; and, know the proper use of hot and cold baths.”
             Arnold K. Garr, Donald Q. Cannon, and Richard O. Cowan, Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2000), 80.

127.          The Prophet Joseph Smith started up the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, Ohio, which was the first organized school for adult education in America. This school was to instruct the brethren in the gospel and academics. The school was put on hold when the Saints left Nauvoo. More than twenty years later, Brigham Young reorganized the School of the Prophets in 1867. Again, academics and spiritual classes were stressed in addition to activities such as raising funds for the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, instituting a mercantile boycott of merchants who opposed the Church, establishing the Provo Woolen Mills, reducing wages for Utah workers to make the prices of Utah manufactured goods more competitive with goods that would now be shipped from the east, and finally promoting the construction of the railroad from Salt Lake City to Ogden.
Leonard J. Arrington, Great Basin Kingdom: An Economic History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1900 (Cambridge: Harvard University Press), 245-251.
128.          In 1850, the University of the State of Deseret (the forerunner to the University of Utah) was commonly known as the Parents School and was held in the parlor of John Packs home. Dr. Collins taught and tuition was eight dollars per quarter. Since money was scarce, food could be used to pay for school.
             Spencer, Clarissa Young and Mable Harmer, Brigham Young at Home (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1947), 132.
129.           From the life of Caroline Frances Angell Davis Holbrook:   I was very sick with chills and fever. I was immediately healed after being baptized and confirmed. I was thirteen years old in October before I taught school the next following summer. I had about 25 pupils. I learned them what was taught in common schools, the girls to knit and sew. This was in Missouri.
             Autobiography of Caroline Frances Angell Davis Holbrook, http://www.boap.org/
130.           As a youth, Brigham Young attended only eleven days of formal schooling. He later said:
   Brother Heber and I never went to school until we got into Mormonism. That was the first of our schooling. We never had the opportunity of letters in our youth, but we had the privilege of picking up brush, chopping down trees, rolling logs and working amongst the roots, and of getting our shins, feet and toes bruised. I learned how to make bread, wash the dishes, milk the cows and make butter; and can beat most of the women in this community at housekeeping. Those are about all the advantages I gained in my youth. I know how to economize, for my father had to do it.
Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1974), 5:97.

131.           Susa Young Gates, daughter of Brigham Young, was attending the University of Deseret (the fore runner to the University of Utah) at the ripe old age of thirteen.
             Carolyn w. D. Person, “Susa Young Gates,” in Bushman, ed., Mormon Sisters, 201-223; Rebecca Foster Cornwall, “Susa Y. Gates,” Burgess-Olsen ed., Sister Saints, 63-93.

132.           The first Thanksgiving Dinner of the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley was on August 10, 1848 to celebrate a bounteous harvest. Interestingly, a second Thanksgiving Dinner was celebrated just days prior to the October General Conference the same year. This celebration was for the safe return of the Mormon Battalion.
The Church News, November 24, 1948

133.           February 9, 1919: The U.S. Congress awards Private Thomas C. Neibur the Medal of Honor, making him the first Latter-day Saint and the first private in the U.S. Army to receive the award.
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 30.

A little more information to the story:
In May of 1898, Thomas C. Neibaur, later a World War I army private awarded the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor for defending fellow soldiers from attack and taking eleven enemy soldiers as prisoners, all after being wounded in battle, is born in Sharon Idaho.
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 98.

134.           In Kirtland, Joseph Smith develops the first Egyptian grammar book in America. This was never published and most likely used only by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Berrett, William Edwin, The Restored Church (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1973), 99.
135.          Samuel Brannan was an energetic Elder for the Church in the New York City area. He is the individual who chartered the ship “Brooklyn” to transport 238 Saints to California. He became California’s first millionaire, although lost his fortune through unwise business investments and lived the last few years of his life in poverty. This wealth was obtained through fraud. Pretending to be Brigham Young’s representative in California, he stole the Church’s tithing for a period of time before he was caught.
             Berrett, William Edwin, The Restored Church (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1973), 231; Van Wagoner, Richard S. and Steven C. Walker, A Book of Mormons (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1982), 22.

136.          The first mercantile store in the Salt Lake Valley was established in the home of John and Julia Pack in the year 1850. It was in a room across from the parlor where the first University classes were in session (forerunner to the University of Utah).
             Spencer, Clarissa Young and Mable Harmer, Brigham Young at Home (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1947), 132.

137.          It’s interesting to note that the first Territorial Prison Warden in Utah was actually a prisoner first. Daniel Garn was imprisoned in Richmond Missouri during the dark Missouri years of the church. His crime? Being a Mormon.
             The Church News, August 19, 1967
138.          In 1917, Clint Larsen set a world record high jump of 6 feet 3 inches. This is the first time a Latter-day Saint has set a world record.
             Skousen, Paul B., The Skousen Book of Mormon World Records (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Inc., 2004), 376.

139.          The first running world record set by a Latter-day Saint was Creed Haymond in 1919 during the 220-yard dash. His time was 21.0 seconds. This time stood until Jesse Owen broke the record at the 1936 Olympics.
             The Church News, June 19, 1999.

140.          The first attempt at illustrating the Book of Mormon was in 1888, with the publication of The Story of the Book of Mormon by George Reynolds.
Noel A. Carmack, “A Picturesque and Dramatic History,” BYU Studies, Vol. 47, no. 2 (2008), 115.

141.           The first scene painted about the Book of Mormon:
George M. Ottinger painted the Baptism of Limhi, which was a scene depicting Alma the elder baptizing at the Waters of Mormon. He painted this picture in 1872 and measures a very huge seven and a half feet by five feet.
Noel A. Carmack, “A Picturesque and Dramatic History,” BYU Studies, Vol. 47, no. 2 (2008), 115.

142.           The Mormon Battalion of 1846 is not the first time that the government has asked the Mormons to supply men in a cause. In October of 1837, Edward Partridge wrote a letter to his brother stating that the government required 1000 natives and approximately 150 to 200 white men to help put down the Seminoles in Florida. Only a few of the Saints responded to this call from the government.
Jennings, Warren A., “What Crime Have I Been Guilty of?” BYU Studies, Summer, 1978, p. 521-522.

John P. Greene comments on the above situation (the Government asking for troops in October of 1837) and states that many volunteers came forward. He says:
   “And here we wish particularly to call attention to the fact, that the Mormons in Caldwell were the regular state militia for that county, and were at this time acting under the legal authorities of the county. To prove that they were distinctly regarded by the executive as the state militia, we relate the fact, that, sometime in September last, Gen. Parks being ordered to collect a body of troops out of his brigade, which should be ready to march to the frontier in case of aggression from Indians, called for a company of 60 men from Caldwell County; whereupon, 300 volunteers, (all Mormons,) presented themselves, from whom he selected his company of minute-men.”
“Facts Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons or Latter-day Saints, From the State of Missouri, Under the Exterminating Order,’” John P. Greene (Cincinnati: R. P. Brooks, 1839).

143.           It is doubtful if Joseph Smith, after the expulsion from Missouri, seriously expected to be reinstated in that land at that time or even to receive compensation for the losses incurred. That hope had not died out, however, among the Saints. Sidney Rigdon even proposed a scheme to oust Missouri from the Union of States and worked up considerable feeling over it.
Berrett, William Edwin, The Restored Church (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1973), 164.

144.          President Taft broke the record of visits to Utah by a U.S. President (six times), having the Church president visit the White House (Joseph F. Smith was the first to do so since Joseph Smith called on Van Buren); involving the Tabernacle Choir as a tool of goodwill (they had their first performance in the White House); and utilizing prominent Mormon politicians to build the Church’s reputation with the President (Reed Smoot and J. Reuben Clark).
Michael K. Winder, Presidents and Prophets (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2007), 211.

145.          James A. Garfield is sworn into office and becomes the only President to utter the phrase “Mormon Church” in an inaugural address.
             Michael K. Winder, Presidents and Prophets (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2007), 143.
146.          Having just suffered a major stroke, Woodrow Wilson becomes the only President blessed by name in a temple dedicatory prayer. In Hawaii, President Heber J. Grant prays, “We pray Thee to bless Woodrow Wilson, the president of these United States. Touch him with the healing power of Thy Holy Spirit and make him whole. We pray that his life maybe precious in Thy sight, and may the inspiration that comes from Thee ever abide with him.”
N.B. Lundwall, Temples of the Most High (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1962), 148.

147.           Teddy Roosevelt visits Utah and becomes the first U.S. President to speak in the Tabernacle.
             Michael K. Winder, Presidents and Prophets (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2007), 184.

148.           When Stephen A. Douglas spoke out against the Church in speeches from 1857 to 1860, Lincoln responded by pointing out the inconsistency between Douglas’s idea of popular sovereignty and his denunciation of the Mormons as “alien enemies and outlaws.” Lincoln also saw Douglas’s advocating the repeal of Utah’s territorial status as a way of trying to destroy Mormonism.
             Hubbard, George U. “Abraham Lincoln As seen by the Mormons.” Utah Historical
             Quarterly 31 (Spring 1963), 91-108.

149.           The first General Conference held on a river boat occurred in April of 1833. This meeting was held on the Big Blue River in Jackson County, Missouri.
Skousen, Paul B., The Skousen Book of Mormon World Records (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Inc., 2004), 271.

150.   During the April 1844 General Conference of the Church, Joseph Smith was officially nominated for President of the United States.
Skousen, Paul B., The Skousen Book of Mormon World Records (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Inc., 2004), 272.

151.    During the 19th century, Home Teachers were referred to as teachers, acting teachers, or block teachers. In 1908 they became ward teachers and it wasn’t until the 1960’s that they became Home teachers. What’s interesting is that teachers, priest, or Melchizedek Priesthood holders were called with the assistance of the deacons.
Rex A. Anderson, “A Documentary History of the Lord’s Way of Watching over the Church by the Priesthood through the Ages.” Master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1974; Gary L. Phelps, “Home Teaching—Attempts by the Latter-day Saints to Establish an Effective Program during the Nineteenth Century.” Master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1975.

152.          “I heard Joseph once talk and preach for five hours to a congregation, and no one was tired.” (This was in Kirtland before they built the first Temple.)
             Autobiography of Tamma Durfee, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; http://www.boap.org/
153.          Utah’s non-Mormons in fact were partly responsible for reviving the ward’s appetite for meetings. The problem came not so much from the unsavory Gentile, but from “those of Educated and refined manners [who] are able to exercise great influence. These, with the children of “apostates and traitors.”
     To defuse this new Gentile threat, church leaders turned to the Thirteenth Ward. Brigham Young, George A. Smith, Daniel H. Wells, George Q. Cannon, and other prominent churchmen met with ward officers on 30 March 1867 and resolved to form a Sunday school. During the organizational spate of the 1850s, several congregations had begun short-lived Sabbath schools, and the middle 1860s brought several more. But Woolley’s (Bishop Woolley) proposed school was the first since the city’s bishops had agreed, in a major policy decision, to counter the denominational academies with LDS Sabbath schools. Woolley had moved with untypical dispatch-probably at the nudging of his priesthood leaders, who hoped to make the Thirteenth Ward’s school an example for other wards to follow.
     The project began impressively. On 7 April 1867 leading churchmen George A. Smith and George Q. Cannon called a “large assembly of children” to order and named A. Milton Musser as superintendent. Also present was Bishop Woolley, most ward officers, and even Mormondom’s “first lady” Eliza R. Snow, who penned for the occasion a poem, “In Our Lovely Deseret.” The succeeding weeks were as notable. The school soon acquired a library of 150 books and, more importantly, the services of such leading LDS intellectuals as William S. Godbe, William H. Shearman, E.L.T. Harrison, and Eli Kelsey. In addition, Mormon general authorities Ezra T. Benson, Orson Hyde, George A. Smith, and President Brigham Young himself periodically taught the “scholars.” Such talent quickly attracted an average attendance of over two hundred youth and produced a model that other wards copied.  Before a year had expired, President Young was acknowledging the happy results arising from our Sabbath schools.”
Minutes of the Bishops’ Meetings, 30 November 1865 and 7 March 1867, Presiding Bishopric Papers. Thomas Edgar Lyon, “Evangelical Protestant Missionary Activities in Mormon Dominated Areas,” (PH.D. diss., University of Utah, 1962); Thirteenth Ward General Minutes, 30 March 1867; “Minutes of the Thirteenth Ward Sunday School Jubilee,” Thirteenth Ward Teachers’ Report Meetings, 1891-1907, 17 December 1899, LDS Archives; Earlier Schools: Seventeenth Ward bishop’s Record, January 1854, p. 51, LDS Archives; Arrington, From Quaker to Latter-day Saint: Bishop Edwin D. Woolley (Salt Lake City, Deseret Book Company, 1976), 459; Minutes of the Bishops’ Meetings, 8 March 1866 and 7 March 1867. Sabbath School Decision: ibid., 7 March 1867; New Views of Mormon History, Edited by Davis Bitton and Maureen Ursenbach Beecher (Salt Lake City, University of Utah Press, 1987), 149-50.

154.          At first, without didactic teaching materials, some wards taught academic subjects during Sunday school such as astronomy.
             New Views on Mormon History, Edited by Davis Bitton and Maureen Usenbach Beecher (Salt Lake City, University of Utah Press, 1987), 150.

155.  This story is from the mission of Jacob Hamblin after he received word to return home to Nauvoo subsequent to the death of Joseph and Hyrum.
   “After, starting I began to reflect on my situation. I must travel on the river steamers from Pittsburg to Nauvoo, via Cincinnati and St. Louis, and I had only two dollars in my pocket. I had been often surprised, when traveling on foot at the pains people would take to invite me to ride or to step into a grocery and take a lunch, and I had considerable faith that the Lord would soften the heart of someone to assist me, when I was in need.
   “When I arrived in Pittsburg, I had one dollar left. There were two steamers at the landing about to start for St. Louis. They offered to take passengers very cheap. I told the captain of one of them, that I would give all the money I had for a passage to St. Louis. He took my money and gave me a ticket, but appeared rather cross.
   “I was soon on my way down the river, but still a long way from home, and without money or anything to eat. I began to feel the want of food.
   “Nothing special occurred with me until evening, when the lamps were lit in the passenger’s cabin. I was then asked by a young married lady, if I was not a ‘Mormon’ Elder. I replied that I was; and she told me that her little child was dying with the scarlet fever, and she wished me to lay hands on it and heal it.
   “I replied that I could administer to it, and I presumed that the Lord would heal it. I asked her if she believed in such things. She said that she did, and that she belonged to the Church, but her husband did not. I was puzzled in my mind to know what to do, for the boat was crowded with passengers, and all unbelievers excepting the mother of the sick child and myself. It seemed like a special providence that, just then the lamp in the cabin should fall from its hangings, and leave us all in the dark.
    “Before another lamp could be lit, I had administered to the child, and rebuked the fever in the name of the Lord Jesus, unobserved by those around. The Lord blessed the administration, and the child was healed.
   “The mother called her husband, and said to him, ‘Little Mary is healed; now do not say anything against ‘Mormonism.’ The man looked at his child, and said to me, ‘I am not a believer in any kind of religion, but I am on my way to Iowa, opposite to Nauvoo, where I presume you are going. You are welcome to board with me all the way, and if you want any money I will let you have it.’”
James A. Little, Jacob Hamblin in Three Mormon Classics, Preston Nibley, comp. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), 211-212.

156.   Willard Bean, a former boxer from Utah, and Rebecca, his bride of less than a year, were sent in 1915 to take care of the farm (Joseph Smith Sr. farm) after the former owner moved. They were challenged to preach the gospel and make friends for the Church in that area. They became the first Latter-day Saints to live in Manchester in eighty-four years. Their call is equally as interesting. Brother Bean and Rebecca attended a conference in Richfield, Utah, presided over by President Joseph F. Smith. President Smith was looking for the right man to represent the Church and run the Joseph Smith farm in Manchester, New York. President Smith later said that when Willard walked in, “The impression was so strong-it was just like a voice said to me, ‘There’s your man.’”
   Despite severe anti-Mormon prejudice, the Beans persevered and eventually won the respect of the people in the nearby village of Palmyra. Willard was instrumental in helping the church purchase several other important historical sites in the area. What was expected to be “five years or more” of service in Palmyra turned out to be twenty-five. When the Beans returned to Salt Lake City, they were grandparents.
Willard Bean: Palmyra’s Fighting Parson, Ensign, June 1985, pg. 26-27.

157.          At his graduation ceremony, Spencer (Spencer W. Kimball) was stunned to hear his father announce over the podium that instead of going to college, Spencer would be serving a mission. He hadn’t really given it much immediate thought, since most missionaries at that time were older men, but he embraced the formal call when it arrived from Salt Lake City. To finance his mission he sold his horse, and spent the summer working at a dairy near Globe, Arizona. The eighteen-hour days were grueling, but at the end of the summer the cigar-smoking non-Mormon dairy owner threw a party for Spencer and gave him a gold watch to take on his mission.
            “The Life and Ministry of Spencer W. Kimball,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, (2006), xiv-xxxvii.
158.          Two others who enjoyed success were Zebedee Coltrin and Levi Hancock. After leaving Kirtland, they headed south and west along the National road toward Indianapolis, Indiana. Baptisms came slowly at first, but when they reached Winchester, Indiana, they found ready listeners. Levi wrote, “We continued to preach here and in the regions round about until we had raised a large branch of the Church.” They enjoyed similar results in Ward township, and “in a short time we had in both places about one hundred members.” Their presence aroused a group of local men who accosted them and ordered them to leave the area by ten o’clock the next morning.
   The elders decided to stay and keep an eleven o’clock appointment. Some of the men who appeared for the meeting were among the ones who had threatened the missionaries. In his sermon Levi said that his father had fought in the Revolutionary war for the freedom his listeners then enjoyed and that his relative, John Hancock, was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. Levi recorded, “After the meeting we went to the water and baptized seventeen out of those who the day before were going to mob us.”
      “The Life of Levi Hancock,” unpublished manuscript, Brigham Young University, Special Collections, Provo, pp. 54-64.

159.          During 1852 the Church made a concerted effort at having as many emigrants arrive in the Salt Lake Valley as possible. It’s the year with the fewest missionaries, but also the year with the largest number of emigrants.
             James A. Little, From Kirtland to Salt Lake City (Salt Lake City, 1890) as quoted in Larsen, Prelude to the Kingdom, 112.
160.          In 1883, German-born Thomas Biesinger, who was living in Lehi, Utah, received a call to serve in the European mission. He and Paul Hammer were sent to Prague, Czechoslovakia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The missionaries were forbidden by law to proselyte and so initiated casual conversations with people they met. These conversations often turned to the subject of religion. After working in this way for only a month, Elder Biesinger was arrested and held in prison for two months. When he gained his freedom, he had the blessing of baptizing Antonin Just, whose accusation had led to this arrest. Brother Just became the first Latter-day Saint residing in Czechoslovakia.
Kahlile Mehr, “Enduring Believers: Czechoslovakia and the LDS Church, 1884-1990,” Journal of Mormon History (Fall 1992,), 112-13; Our Heritage, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1996), 95.

161.            February 4, 1902: The First Presidency announces the policy that full-time missionaries need not pay tithing.
Ric                           Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 26.

162.          The following is a mission experience of John Lowe Butler being sent to the Sioux Indians on a mission by the Prophet Joseph Smith:
   “We had but little success among the Indians this time; they did not like us at all. They stole our horses and shot our cattle and came very near shooting us. We started our folks toward home, my family numbering my wife and five children. Well, as I say, we started them from home, and Brother Emmett and myself were to stay and find our horses. We stayed and found them, but the Indians took them from us again; then we had to fly for our lives. Now we started to go right between two lakes and the Indians tried to head us to waylay us and kill us. We had then not tasted one bit for eight or nine days. I prayed to the Lord to look down in mercy upon us and strengthen us and enable us to endure the trials and sufferings of hunger that we had to pass through. We got to the point between the lakes and headed them without interruption from the Indians. I could not tell the reason only that the Lord was our friend and changed the mind of the Indians so that they turned from their bloody design for they meant to kill us if they only could catch us.
   “After we had passed the point of the lakes, there was a stream of water running into the lake, running on our right hand and the spirit of the Lord told me that if I will turn aside and go down to the river I should find something to eat. I told Brother Emmett and we turned aside and went down to the stream. We had our rifles with us, but we had not seen any game at all; everything seemed to be far away when we wanted them close. Well, as we were going down, I had several thoughts come into my head; I could fancy seeing a fat deer standing on the bank of the stream, cooling this thirsty tongue. Then I thought I could see a good fat elk grazing on the bank of the stream, but we had gotten there and I could see no deer nor any elk. My mind was darkened, and I felt to murmur and called upon God and asked him why he had caused us to come so far out of our road and then not find anything to eat. I cast my eyes upon the stream, not knowing which way to go or what to do for we were weak and could hardly walk. I had not my eyes long in that direction when all of a sudden I saw thousands of fish in the water and fine large ones they were, too. I looked with wonder and astonishment and I thanked the Lord for his mercy and loving kindness unto us and I asked his forgiveness for doubting him and prayed for his holy spirit to enable me to put my trust in him more than I had hitherto done. We then caught fish and fed our hungry appetites, and then starting on our journey, thanked God for his watchfulness over us and his blessings unto us, and the Lord did continue to pour down his blessings upon us, so that he did deliver us from the bloodthirsty savages and enabled us to arrive home safely without any harm to ourselves.
   “We arrived about twelve miles from Nauvoo on the night of the fifth of October (1842?). I wanted to get to conference, it being the next day, so I got up the next morning and got on a horse and went to Nauvoo to conference, and I got there just as it commenced, I then went back after my family and brought them home, and Brother Joseph asked me if we all got back safe and well. I told him that we had gotten home safe, but it was by the blessings of God. He said that he was glad that we had gotten home safe, and he said, ‘Now go and try it without your family and you shall not be hurt,’ so I left my family in Nauvoo; they were all pretty well at that time, although they had seen much hardship. They had to live on crabapples and honey for nine weeks and nothing else to eat only what game we could kill once in a while. Well, I started back again with Brother Emmett to the Sioux nation but we had but little success for they did or could not understand the principles of the gospel, so we had to return home again on the fourteenth of February and my wife bore me a daughter and we named her Sarah Adaline. . . .”
Autobiography of John Lowe Butler, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; http://www.boap.org/

163.          Nineteen, the number of full-time missions that Orson Pratt served.
By the way, this is a record.
The Church News, June 13, 1948.

164.          “During our first day's travel we came to a bad slue crossing in the road, and we got stuck fast so that we were compelled to unload in order to get out, but even then our team was not able to pull the empty wagon out. But just then, a large, fine yoke of oxen came along the road behind us overtaking us, unattended by any person, and which we considered very providential aid. So I hitched them on the wagon with my own team, and pulled out easily. I then turned the strange oxen loose again, loaded in the things we had taken out, and traveled on. We looked upon that aid and help as being directly from our Heavenly Father. After that, we got stuck in bad places several times, and had to unload in order to pull out but only a few days passed, and Brother Ezra Clark with a small company overtook us, and then we had no more trouble. When we came to bad places, we were in duty bound to help each other.”
Autobiography of Jonathan Crosby, typescript, Utah State Historical Society. Holograph is also located in the Utah State Historical Society; http://www.boap.org/

165.          It took the saints 131 days to cross the 310 miles of Iowa to Winter Quarters, but only 111 days to trek the 1100 miles from Winter Quarters to the Salt Lake Valley.
Our Heritage, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1996), 71.

166.          When we got to within about two days travel of Laramie, we just about got into some trouble with a large company of Sioux Indians. John Alger started in fun to trade a 16 year old girl to a young Chief for a horse. But the Chief was in earnest! We got the thing settled, however, and were permitted to go without the loss of Lovina.
              Autobiography of Mosiah Hancock, Typescript, BYU-S; http://www.boap.org/

167.            The following from the journal of Patience Loader Rozsa Archer who was a member of the ill fated Martin Handcart Company:
   I will say we traveled on all day in the snow but the weather was fine and in the middle of the day the sun was quite warm. Sometime in the afternoon a strange man appeared to me as we was resting as we got up the hill. He came and looked in my face. He said is you Patience. I said yes. He said again I thought it was you. Travel on. There is help for you. You will come to a good place. There is plenty. With this he was gone. He disappeared. I looked but never saw where he went. This seemed very strange to me. I took this as someone sent to encourage us and give us strength.
Kenneth W. Godfrey, Audrey M. Godfrey, and Jill Mulvay Derr, Women’s Voices: An Untold History of The Latter-day Saints 1830-1900 (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1982), 231.

168.          The following from the Journal of John Parry:
Indians met us some times and helped us to pull our Carts, which was a great fun for them.
Parry, Reminiscences and diary; David Roberts, Devils Gate-Brigham Young and The Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy (New York City: Simon and Schuster, 2008), 124.

169.           We have all heard the story of the four young men who carried the members of the Martin Handcart Company across the ice filled Sweet Water River. Patience Loader sheds some more light on this story. The following from her journal:
   We traveled on for some few miles. Then we came to the Sweet Water. There we had to cross. We thought we would have to wade the water as the cattle had been crossing with the wagons with the tents and what little flour we had and had broken the ice so we could not go over on the ice. But there was three brave men [actually there were four] there in the water packing the women and children over on their backs. Names William Kimball, Ephraim Hanks, and I think the other was James Furgeson [Either this is another incident or else she recorded the names wrong. The four young men were George W. Grant, C. A. Huntington, David P. Kimball, and Stephen W. Taylor]. Those poor brethren was in the water nearly all day. We wanted to thank them but they would not listen to us. My dear Mother felt in her heart to bless them for their kindness. She said God bless you for taking me over this water and in such an awful rough way. They said oh d--- that I don’t want any of that. You are welcome. We have come to help you. Mother turned to me saying what do think of that man. He is a rough fellow. I told her that is Brother William Kimball. I am told they are all good men but I daresay that they are all rather rough in their manners. But we found that they all had kind good hearts. This poor Brother Kimball stayed so long in the water that he had to be taken out and packed to camp and he was a long time before he recovered as he was chilled through and in after life he was always afflicted with rheumatism.
Kenneth W. Godfrey, Audrey M. Godfrey, and Jill Mulvay Derr, Women’s Voices: An Untold History of The Latter-day Saints 1830-1900 (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1982), 236.

170.          Mary Powell Sabin, a young twelve-year old Welsh girl traveling in the Ellsworth hand-cart company states that at the celebration of their companies arrival into Salt Lake City that the first food they were offered was watermelons. Brigham Young instructed the emigrants to just eat the pink and not to go into the green of the melon.
David Roberts, Devils Gate-Brigham Young and the The Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy (New York City: Simon and Schuster, 2008), 113.

171.          The following from Sarah James, a member of the Willie Handcart Company:
   Father told us one night that the flour was gone. . . . Father was white and drawn. I knew that mother was worried about him, for he was getting weaker all the time and seemed to feel that there was no use in all the struggle.” Captain Willie announced one morning that all the animals in the company would be killed for fresh meat. “We were so hungry that we didn’t stop to think what it would do for our wagons. How good the soup tasted made from the bones of those cows, although there wasn’t any fat on them. The hides we used to roast after taking all the hair off of them. I even decided to cook the tatters of my shoes and make soup of them. I brought a smile to my father’s sad face when I made the suggestion, but mother was a bit impatient with me and told me that I’d have to eat the muddy things myself.”
Heidi Swinton and Lee Groberg, SweetWater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications Inc., 2006), 71.

172.          John Bond, a twelve-year-old in the Hodgett Wagon Train with his family, latter recorded, “Day after day passes and still no tidings of help coming from westward. The bugle is sounded again . . . to call all the Saints together for prayers to ask the infinite Father to bring food, medicines, and other things necessary for the sick and needy.” Bond had seen a woman cooking a pot of dumplings before evening prayer and then watched her hide them. He did not go to prayer. “I stood back and looked for the dumplings, found them, and being so hungry I could not resist the temptation, sat down and ate them all.”
Heidi Swinton and Lee Groberg, SweetWater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story (American Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications Inc., 2006), 78.

173.           As they came to rivers, the captain would go through on horseback, then they would all hold hands and pass through to the other side. No one could ride except the sick and the small children.
Della Henderson Holladay, “Pioneers of Faith, Courage, and Endurance.” Chronicles of Courage: Daughters of Utah Pioneers (Salt Lake City: Utah Printing Company, 1991), 2:75

174.          My brother Levi was born the 28th of February--8 1/2 months after my father left for the Battalion. We had a cow that freshened this spring, but she was up to the bottoms, 40 miles away. We tried to get some of the brethren to bring her down, and they said they would. But mother dreamed that Bill Hickman got the cow and calf, and she wished me to see if I could get a horse and saddle. I dreamed, however, that thieves got away with the horse and saddle, so I took my gun, and mother made me three skillets of corn dodger, and the next morning I started out on foot. Mother also gave me three matches so that I could have a fire when I camped. Our bedding being scarce, I did not take a quilt, even though the season wasn't very warm. The first day was so muddy that I got only about 20 miles; but I came to a grove of trees--mostly slippery elm and basswood. I soon had a good fire for the wood was plentiful. I had my knife along, and I got some elmbark which seemed to go well with my corn bread. I made me a bed with some dry leaves at the foot of a clump of trees, and was soon in a sound sleep. But, a dismal noise awakened me! I grabbed my gun and corn dodger, and up a tree I went, for wolves were in force! I threw some wood on the fire so that the blaze would keep back those "clamoring varmits", as David Crocket would say. Oh, how the cold wind did pierce me! By daylight the wolves were gone, and I left my perch. I soon got warm by the good fire, and I tried to do some praying--for the music in the wolves choir seemed to introduce in me a desire to feel a little religious. I went on and inquired for our cow, but no one seemed to know anything about her. I soon got my eye on her, and started back that evening. I got to a nice wood where I built a fire, and tied the cow with a rope I had found. The calf had been considerable trouble, so I tied it to the cow! Oh, but the wolves were so thick! I had the calf tied to the cow and the cow tied to a tree--then I made a fire close to the cow, then scraped some leaves together for my bed. I got a great pile of wood so I could keep fire through the night. Then I saw a rabbit run up the hollow tree where I intended to lay my head; I reached it with my arm and soon had it skinned and cooked. I had a supper fit for a king with the rabbit, some of the dodger I had left, and some milk I milked into my mouth! The third day of my trip, I arose early and ate the rest of my rabbit and dodger. I found the cow had eaten the pile of straw I carried on my head, which was supposed to be my hat, so I went forth bare headed. However, the day was cloudy, so I didn't suffer with heat. Although the snow was nearly gone, except in the gulches, there was much mud; but I made it to the Perkins settlement, where I and my "companions" fell into good hands. The goodly company seemed to suppose me to be somewhat of a hero. I had a good supper and slept soundly, never once thinking of the wolf choir. The next morning I ate a hearty breakfast, and my kind friends sent me forth with a good lunch. At noon I shot a large grey wolf that got too close, and while going down the Mosquite, a panther to put up a sneak job on me and my company--however, I saw it's movements as it crouched near the path. I put a ball between its eyes and it quivered without making much of a spring. I then began to cast about for another place to sleep, supposing it would be late before I got the thing skinned; when all at once, Jack Reddin rode up on horseback. He saw the situation and gave me $2.50 for the panther, so I traveled on towards home, reaching it about 12 o'clock midnight, much to the joy of my mother who was waiting and worrying for me. I can assure all, I rested sweetly that night!
Autobiography of Mosiah Hancock, Typescript, BYU-S; htpp://www.boap.org/

175.           The Lord compared Sidney Rigdon to John the Baptist.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church History In The Fulness Of Times (Salt Lake City: Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), 82.
176.          Once after returning from a mission, he [Zebedee Coltrin] met Brother Joseph in Kirtland, who asked him if he did not wish to go with him to a conference at New Portage. The party consisted of Presidents Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery and myself [Zebedee Coltrin]. Next morning at New Portage, he noticed that Joseph seemed to have a far off look in his eyes, or was looking at a distance and presently he, Joseph, stepped between Brothers Cowdery and Coltrin and taking them by the arm, said, ‘Let's take a walk.’ They went to a place where there was some beautiful grass and grapevines and swampbeech interlaced. President Joseph Smith then said, ‘Let us pray.’ They all three prayed in turn--Joseph, Oliver, and Zebedee. Brother Joseph then said, ‘Now brethren, we will see some visions.’ Joseph lay down on the ground on his back and stretched out his arms and the two brethren lay on them. The heavens gradually opened, and they saw a golden throne, on a circular foundation, something like a light house, and on the throne were two aged personages, having white hair, and clothed in white garments. They were the two most beautiful and perfect specimens of mankind he ever saw. Joseph said, ‘They are our first parents, Adam and Eve.’ Adam was a large, broad-shouldered man, and Eve as a woman, was as large in proportion.”
Minutes, Salt Lake City School of the Prophets, October 11, 1883.

177.           Ziba Peterson was one of four missionaries (Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer Jr., and Parley P. Pratt were the other three) sent on a mission to the Delaware Indians in 1830-1831. When the Saints were driven out of Jackson County in 1833, Ziba stayed separating himself from the Church. In 1848 he and his family moved to California where he became the sheriff of Dry Diggins, later known as Hangtown because of the hanging of two thieves that Peterson supervised. He died at “Hangtown” (known today as Placerville, California) in 1849.
Dean H. Garrett, “Ziba Peterson: From Missionary to Hanging Sheriff.” Nauvoo Journal 19 (Spring 1997), 24-32.

178.           Elder Orson Hyde taught something interesting pertaining to Moroni. He referred to Moroni as the “Prince of America” and said that he “presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings.” Elder Hyde goes on to say that Moroni help guide Christopher Columbus through dreams and visions, was in the camp of George Washington directing affairs by an invisible hand, and led our founding fathers on to victory, “and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world.”
 Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. (London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot, 1854-86), 6:368.

179.          A Dr. Sampson Avard organized the Danites. This group of avenger’s purpose was to plunder and murder the enemies of the Church in Missouri. The original name of this group of outlaws was “The Daughter of Zion.” When this was discovered by the Prophet Joseph Smith he cut Dr. Avard off from the Church.
             Berrett, William Edwin, The Restored Church (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1973), 146.

180.          The following is related by Wilford Woodruff:
   “On May 6th, I met with the Seventies, and we ordained sixty men into the quorums of Elders and Seventies. Brother Joseph met with the Twelve, Bishops and Elders, at Bishop Partridge’s house; and there were a number with us who were wounded at Haun’s Mill. Among them was Isaac Laney, who had been in company with about twenty others, at the mill, when a large armed mob fired among them with rifles and other weapons, and shot down seventeen of the brethren, and wounded more. Brother Laney fled from the scene, but they poured a shower of lead after him, which pierced his body through and through. He showed me eleven bullet holes in his body. There were twenty-seven in his shirt, seven in his pantaloons, and his coat was literally cut to pieces. One ball entered one armpit and came out at the other.
   Another entered his back and came out at the breast. A ball passed through each hip, each leg and each arm. All these shots were received while he was running for life, and, strange as it may appear, thought he had also one of his ribs broken, he was able to outrun his enemies, and his life was saved. We can only acknowledge this deliverance to be by the power and mercy of God.
   “President Brigham Young was also among the number. He also fled, and although the balls flew around him like hail he was not wounded. How mysterious are the ways of the Lord!”
Leaves of My Journal, Preston Nibley comp., (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988), 74.

181.          It has been said that only men were killed at Haun’s Mill. According to John P. Greene, at least one female also died.
“Miss Mary Stedwell while fleeing was shot through the hand, and fainting, fell over a log, into which they shot upwards of twenty balls.”
“Facts Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons or Latter-day Saints, From the State of Missouri, Under the Exterminating Order,’” John P. Greene (Cincinnati: R. P. Brooks, 1839).

182.          The following is a story from the journal of John Lowe Butler.
   “When the mob came to Far West there [was a man] by the name of Nathan and [I was] well acquainted with him. He would not volunteer to come and fight the Mormons so they drafted him and made him come and just before they got to Far West the captain told the men to cut a whole lot of switches to hang them on their saddle so that if the Mormons should whip them out they would have something to make the horses faster, but Nathan did not get any switches and they said, ‘Why do you not get some, Nathan?’ His answer was, ‘I have no cause for any for I have never done the Mormons any harm and they will not do me any harm.’ So when they got to camp and the baggage wagon had come up, Nathan said that he was going over to the city to see an old friend of his and they told him that the Mormons would kill him if he did. He told them that he was not afraid, so he started over to my house, and when he got there he told my mother that he had come to have some supper and stay all night. She asked him who all the men were that had come down on the city. He told her that they were a mob come to kill all the Mormons. ‘Well,’ said the old lady, ‘You have come with them, have you not?’ Nathan said he had, but not to kill the Mormons; they had forced him to come to fight them, but they could not force him to shoot and he was going home in the morning.
   Well, about three or four hours later there came five or six men to fetch him away. They said that the captain had sent them after him. Nathan told them that he should not go for he could sleep in a house. So he said that they could go and tell their captain so. Well, they went back and Nathan slept. He had his breakfast in the morning and told the folks that if the mob drove the Mormons away, his house would be a home for them as long as they had a mind to stay. Well, he wished them good luck and started, but not back to the camp, but back home. Now the captain sent over in the day to see where he was, they inquired of my mother where he was and she told them that he had gone home, so they had to go back without him.”
Autobiography of John Lowe Butler, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; http://www.boap.org/

183.          The following from the journal of William Draper
   “I will here relate a short conversation that took place between a little boy about twelve years old by the name of Buduas Dustin and a Methodist preacher; and captain of a company and chaplain for the army by the name of [Samuel] Bogard, which took place as follows:
   “One evening when the little boy was present the army was called to order to attend evening services and a solemn prayer and thanks to their unknown God for the glorious works that he was permitting and assisting them to perform, and when the prayer was finished the boy stood as if in deep meditation and said, ‘Mr. Bogard can I ask you one question?’ ‘Yes boy’, was the answer, and the boy proceeded by saying, ‘Mr. Bogard, sir, which way do you think is right for a person to have their eyes closed or open when they pray?’ Well my boy I suppose either would be acceptable if done in humility but it looks more humiliating to have our eyes closed against the transitory objects around us and from the world.’ ‘Well,’ said the boy, ‘I think if I was engaged in such a work as you are I should want my eyes open.’ ‘Why my boy,’ was the inquiry. ‘Because I should fear the devil would carry me off if they were shut.’
   “They then threatened his life for a young Mormon; but he said, ‘I am no Mormon,’ and he was not and so he escaped but subsequently joined the church.”
Autobiography of William Draper, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; http://www.boap.org/

184.          I find it of interest that on all occasions when Joseph visited the Angel Moroni at the Hill Cumorah that he ventured alone with the exception of September 22, 1827, that day Joseph brought Emma, his young wife with him. The answer of why he did this can be found in the previous year tutorial between Moroni and Joseph. Moroni told Joseph on this occasion: That the plates would be given to him if he “brought the right person.” Moroni also told Joseph that he would know who that person would be.
Baught, Alexander L., “Parting the Veil: The Visions of Joseph Smith.” BYU Studies, Vol. 38, No. 1, p. 31.

185.          “In the following June, I met with an accident, which I shall here mention: The Prophet and myself, after looking at his horses, and admiring them, that were just across the road from his house, we started thither, the Prophet at this same time put his arm over my shoulder. When we had reached about the middle of the road, he stopped and remarked, ‘Brother Coray, I wish you were a little larger, I would like to have some fun with you.’ I replied, ‘Perhaps you can as it is,’ not realizing what I was saying, Joseph a man of over 200 pounds weight, while I scarcely 130 pounds, made it not a little ridiculous for me to think of engaging with him in anything like a scuffle. However, as soon as I made this reply, he began to trip me; he took some kind of a lock on my right leg, from which I was unable to extricate it, and throwing me around, broke it some three inches above the ankle joint. He immediately carried me into the house, pulled off my boot, and found at once that my leg was decidedly broken; then he got some splinters and bandaged it. A number of times that day did he came in to see me, endeavoring to console me as much as possible. The next day when he happened in to see me after a little conversation, I said, ‘Brother Joseph, when Jacob wrestled with the angel and was lamed by him, the angel blessed him; now I think I am also entitled to a blessing.’ To that he replied, ‘I am not the patriarch, but my father is, and when you get up and around, I'll have him bless you.’ He said no more for a minute or so, meanwhile looking very earnestly at me, then said, ‘Brother Coray, you will soon find a companion, one that will be suited to your condition and whom you will be satisfied with. She will cling to you, like to cords of death, and you will have a good many children.’ He also said some other things, which I can't so distinctly remember.
   “In nine days after my leg was broken, I was able to get up and hobble about the house by the aid of a crutch and in two weeks thereafter, I was about recovered, nearly as well as ever, so much so that I went to meeting on foot, a distance of a mile. I considered this no less than a case of miraculous healing. For nothing short of three months did I think it would be ere I should be around again, on my feet, able to resume work.”
Autobiography of Martha Jane Coray, Typescript, Harold B. Lee
Library, Brigham Young University; LDS Church Archives;

186.           Engaging in activities such as snowball fights, pulling sticks, fishing, and playing ball, Joseph often interrupted what Jesse W. Crosby, an acquaintance of the Prophet, called his “important work” to spend time with children and help around the home. “Some of the home habits of the Prophet-building kitchen fires, carrying out ashes, carrying in wood and water, assisting in the care of the children,” wrote Crosby in disgust, “were not in accord with my idea of a great man’s self-respect.”
Susan Easton Black, They Knew the Prophet (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1998), 1.

187.          Thomas Ford, Governor of the State of Illinois, at the time of the martyrdom had this to say:
   “The murder of the Smiths, instead of putting an end to . . . the Mormons and dispersing them, as many believed it would, only bound them together closer than ever, gave them new confidence in their faith.” He then stated, “Some gifted man like Paul, some splendid orator who will be able by his eloquence to attract crowds of the thousands . . .  may succeed in breathing a new life into [the Mormon Church] and make the name of the martyred Joseph ring . . . loud and stir the souls of men.” It was Governor Ford’s greatest fear that his name would become a Pilate or Herod, forever mentioned in history as a villain of the innocent, “dragged down to posterity.” Needless to say this was all fulfilled due to his own merits.
Thomas Ford, A History of Illinois, ed. Milo Milton Quaife, 2 vols. (1946), 2:217, 221-223.

188.          When the trouble with the mob commenced, Colonel Robinson took about one-half of the force to Adam-ondi-Ahman to defend that place. Joseph, Hyrum and Sidney also went with them, leaving me in command at Far West. The detachment returned in about four days.
   A few days afterwards Joseph Smith and I took a walk out upon the prairie, and in the course of our conversation I suggested to him to send for General [David R.] Atchison to defend him in the suit then brought against him, as he was in command of the third division of the militia of the State of Missouri, and was a lawyer and a friend to law. Joseph made no reply, but turned back immediately to Far West, and a man was selected, with the best horse to be found, to go to Liberty for General Atchison.
   The next day General Atchison came to Far West with a hundred men and camped a little north of the town.
   On consulting with Joseph Smith, Atchison told him that he did not want anyone to go with them to his trial, which was to take place midway between Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman. Joseph at first hesitated about agreeing to this, but Atchison reassured him by saying: "My life for yours!"
   When they arrived at the place of trial quite a number of the mob had gathered, and on seeing Joseph commenced to curse and swear. Atchison, however, checked them by saying: "Hold on boys, if you fire the first gun there will not be one of you left!"
   Joseph was cleared and came away unmolested. Soon afterwards the governor, thinking Atchison was too friendly towards the Saints, took his command from him and placed General [John B.] Clark in command of the militia.
   Shortly before Far West was besieged, I was taken sick, and Colonel [George M.] Hinkle came into military command under his old commission. I gave up my horse, saddle and bridle, and also my rifle and sword for Brother Lysander Gee to use in defense of our city. When General Clark's army came up against Far West, Colonel Hinkle betrayed the First Presidency of the Church into their hands for seven hundred and fifty dollars. Then Joseph and Hyrum [Smith], Sidney [Rigdon], and Lyman Wight were taken by the mob, who held a court-martial over them and sentenced them to be shot the next morning at eight o'clock on the public square. Lyman Wight told them to "shoot and be damned." Generals Atchison and [Alexander W.] Doniphan immediately rebelled against the decision, and Doniphan said, if men were to be murdered in cold blood, he would withdraw his troops, which he did. General Atchison then went to Liberty and gave a public dinner, and delivered a speech, in which he said, "If the governor does not restore my commission to me, I will kill him, so help me God!" On hearing this the audience became so enthusiastic that they took him upon their shoulders and carried him around the public square.
“Early Scenes in Church History, Four Faith Promoting Classics (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968), 74-96.

189.          The following is from the autobiography of Harvey Harris Cluff:
   “Twenty-five years of missionary labors and travelling over one hundred thousand miles by land and sea.”
Autobiography of Harvey Harris Cluff; http://www.boap.org/

190.          The following is Warren Foote’s description of the inhabitants of Missouri:
   “The inhabitants of Missouri came from the southern states. The most of them are very ignorant, being unable to read, and write. Although the soil is so exceedingly rich, they raise but little grain; a patch of corn, and a drove of hogs running wild in the woods, is the height of their ambition. The corn makes their corndodger, and the hogs their bacon. Corndodger, bacon, and buttermilk, or clabber, constitutes the chief food of the lower classes, and in fact the upper classes do not live much better. Sometimes they have a little wheat flour, but they do not know how to make bread of it, being unacquainted with yeast, or saleratus. They appear to be the offscourings of the southern states. Their clothes are ragged dirty and filthy, and one would hardly know them from the savages of the forest, by their appearance. There are some of a better class who dress well and appear neat and clean. They are all very kind, and hospitable to strangers, and will set before them the best they have. They salt their pork in a corner of their house until it gets salt enough to make bacon, they then hang it in a smoke house, and smoke it a very little, but during the summer it often gets full of life, but they do not mind that. Wild bees being very plentiful, they generally have more or less honey. They have a dislike to eastern, and northern people, they call them all Yankees. “
Autobiography of Warren Foote, Typescript, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University; http://www.boap.org/

191.          Gutzon Borglum, the man who directed the carving of Mt. Rushmore, is the son of Danish immigrants who entered Salt Lake City in 1864.
Skousen, Paul B., The Skousen Book of Mormon World Records (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Inc., 2004), 195.

192.          During the Nauvoo period of the Church, Jonathan Browning (famous gun manufacturer) became a member and set up shop. In 1852 he moved west with the Saints and settled in Ogden. In 1855 his first child born after their arrival, in the Ogden area, was world famous gunmaker John Moses Browning The following from John M. Browning, American Gunmaker:
     His accomplishments are remarkable, whether they are measured by their innovations, their number, their duration, or their popularity. During those forty-seven inventive years, John M. Browning was issued 128 different patents, to cover a total of some eighty complete and distinct firearm models. They include practically every caliber from the .22-short cartridge through the 37-mm. projectile; they embrace automatic actions, semi-automatic actions, lever actions, and pump actions; they include guns that operate by gas pressure, by both the short and long recoil principle, and by the blowback principle; they include models utilizing sliding locks, rotating locks and vertical locks. Included among them are most of the successful sporting arms which appeared during this period, as well as many of the military arms. It is estimated that well over thirty million Browning designed guns have been produce to date (1979), by Browning, Winchester, Colt, Fabrique Nationale, Remington, Savage, and others.
Paul A. Curtis, John M. Browning, American Gunmaker (Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Company, 1964), 219.

193.          The ship Brooklyn, which sailed from New York City to California, in 1847, carried 70 men, 68 women, and 100 children. During the 17,000 mile journey there were 12 deaths and two births. The names of the two children born were Atlantic and Pacific.
Our Heritage, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1996), 74.

194.          The first child born to the Saints shortly after they entered the valley was a girl born to John and Catherine Steele who they named Young Elizabeth. The little girl was named after Brigham Young and Queen Elizabeth.
Tullidge, Edward W., The Women of Mormondom (New York: Tullidge and Crandall, 1877), 443.

195.          Now that Wilford Woodruff had passed away the burden of leading the church fell on the shoulders of the senior Apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve, Lorenzo Snow. One day while praying in the temple, pouring out his heart about his concerns and what he felt were his inadequacies, he waited for a manifestation, but none came. As he arose and walked through the Celestial room towards his office, the Savior appeared to Lorenzo Snow and told him to reorganize the First Presidency immediately.
Gibbons, Francis M. Dynamic Disciples: Prophets of God (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1996), 127-28; Snow, LeRoi C. “Remarkable Manifestations to Lorenzo Snow.” Deseret News, 2 April 1938, 8.

196.          The following from the journal of Parley P. Pratt:
After some days of prayer and fasting, and seeking the Lord on the subject, I retired to my bed in my lonely chamber at an early hour, and while the other prisoners and the guard were chatting and beguiling the lonesome hours in the upper apartment of the prison, I lay in silence, seeking and expecting an answer to my prayer, when suddenly I seemed carried away in the spirit, and no longer sensible to our ward objects with which I was surrounded. A heaven of peace and calmness pervaded my bosom; a personage from the world of spirits stood before me with a smile of compassion in every look, and pity mingled with the tenderest love and sympathy in every expression of the countenance. A soft hand seemed placed within my own, and a glowing cheek was laid in tenderness and warmth upon mine. A well known voice saluted me, which I readily recognized as that of the wife of my youth, who had for near two years been sweetly sleeping where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. I was made to realize that she was sent to commune with me, and answer my question.
   Knowing this, I said to her in a most earnest and inquiring tone: Shall I ever be at liberty again in this life and enjoy the society of my family and the Saints, and Preach the gospel as I have done? She answered definitely and unhesitatingly: ‘YES!” I then recollected that I had agreed to be satisfied with the knowledge of that one fact, but now I wanted more.
   Said I” Can you tell me how, or by what means, or when I shall escape? She replied: “THAT THING IS NOT MADE KNOWN TO ME YET.” I instantly felt that I had gone beyond my agreement and my faith in asking this last question, and that I must be content at present with the answer to the first.
   Her gentle spirit then saluted me and withdrew. I came to myself. The doleful noise of the guards, and the wrangling and angry words of the old apostate again grated on my ears, but Heaven and hope were in my soul.
Scot Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor, The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2000), 295-297.

197.          In October 1903, George Albert Smith is ordained an Apostle, replacing Brigham Young Jr., who had died. He becomes the first son to serve concurrently with his father (Elder John Henry Smith) in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel et al., On This Day In The Church (Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2000), 196.

198.          Joseph Smith set up a dramatic company in Nauvoo, and among those who took part in the plays were Brigham Young, Erastus Snow, and George A. Smith.
Chronicles of Courage, Daughters of Utah Pioneers (Salt Lake City; Utah Printing Company, 1990) 1:158

199.          The following from Anson Call:   While passing up the Missouri River there was a gentleman who came to our room and said that he had learned there were Mormons on the boat. Brother Smith spoke: “Yes, we are Mormons. . . .” The gentleman said, “Where are you going?” “To Far West, sir,” was the reply. The man then remarked, “I am sorry to see so respectable a looking company journeying to that place.” Brother Smith said, “Why so?” He replied, “Because you will be driven from there before six months.” “By whom?” “By the Missourians, gentlemen,” said he. My father spoke and said, “Are there not human beings in that country as well as others?” He said, “Gentlemen, I presume you are not aware of the gentleman you are talking to.” The reply was, “A Missourian, I presume.” The gentleman again spoke, “Yes, gentlemen, I am Colonel Wilson of Jackson County. I was one of the principal actors in driving the Mormons from that county and expect to be soon engaged in driving them from Caldwell County.”
   He advised us to stop in some other place, for if we went to Far West we were surely to be butchered. We told him we were no better than our brethren and if they died, we were willing to die with them. “Gentlemen,” he said, “You appear to be very determined in your minds. Mormonism must and shall be put down.” He read to us a letter which he had just received form Newell, which consisted of a bundle of falsehoods concerning our people in Kirtland. “Thrice as false, Joe’s career must and shall be stopped.”: He then started for the door. I then remarked, “If you will stop a moment or two, I will tell you the way it can be done, for there is but one way of accomplishing it.” “What is that, Sir?” he said. I answered, “Dethrone the Almighty and Joes’ career is ended and never until then.” He left us very abruptly.
Autobiography of Anson Call, Typescript, HBLL; htpp://www.boap.org/

200.          Mark Twain had the following to say about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith in Chapter 16 of his book “Roughing It.”
   “All men have heard of the Mormon Bible, but few except the ‘elect’ have seen it, or, at least, taken the trouble to read it. I brought away a copy from Salt Lake. The book is a curiosity to me, it is such a pretentious affair, and yet so ‘slow,’ so sleepy; such an insipid mess of inspiration. It is chloroform in print. If Joseph Smith composed this book, the act was a miracle—keeping awake while he did it was, at any rate, if he, according to tradition, merely translated it from certain ancient and mysteriously engraved plates of copper, which he declares he found under a stone, in an out-of-the-way locality, the work of translating was equally a miracle, for the same reason. ….Whenever he found his speech growing too modern-which was about every sentence of two—he ladled in a few such scriptural phases as ‘exceeding sore,’ ‘and it came to pass,’ etc., and made things satisfactory again. ‘And it came to pass’ was his pet. If he had left that out, his Bible would have been only a pamphlet.”
Twain, Mark (Samuel Clemens), Roughing It (Hartford, Connecticut: American Publishing Company, 1891), 128-129.

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