REMOVAL TO MISSOURI--SICKNESS--KINDNESS OF THE SAINTS AT FAR
WEST--BUILD A HOUSE, AND THEN HAVE TO ABANDON IT--BATTLE OF CROOKED
RIVER--DEATH AND FINAL TESTIMONY OF APOSTLE DAVID W. PATTEN--CORNER
STONE OF TEMPLE AT FAR WEST LAID--REMOVAL TO ILLINOIS.
I found my family in good health, and as comfortably situated as I
could expect; and our joy was mutual. The Saints in Kirtland also
received us with joy and welcomed us home.
But my journey was not yet ended. Soon after my arrival in Kirtland,
I had to make preparation to move to the State of Missouri, where the
greater part of the Church had already gone. One great cause of their
removal to the west, was the persecutions to which they were subject
in Kirtland. The brethren who yet resided there, although very kind
and affectionate, were weak in the faith in consequence of trials and
temptations. This caused us to grieve exceedingly, and we resolved to
cheer them up as much as we possibly could.
Being solicited to preach in the house or the Lord, we did so, and
after preaching a few times, and recounting our travels and the great
success which had attended our labors, and also the marvelous work
which the Lord had commenced and was still carrying on in the old
country, they began to take courage, their confidence increased, and
their faith was strengthened, and they again realized the blessings of
Jehovah.
As soon as our circumstances would permit, we commenced our journey to
the State of Missouri, by water, a distance of nearly eighteen hundred
miles. After enduring considerable fatigue, we arrived safely at Far
West, on the 25th of July. We had the pleasure of beholding the faces
of numbers of our friends and brethren, some of whom were so glad to
see us that tears started in their eyes when we took them by the hand.
There is indeed something peculiarly pleasing to the Saint, who,
after a long separation, beholds the friends to whom he is united
in bonds the most sacred, and with whom he has probably traveled to
preach the gospel, and with them passed through many scenes of sorrow
and affliction. At that time every pleasing association is revived,
and memory fondly clings to those scenes, the contemplation of which
affords pleasure, while every thing of an opposite nature is forgotten
and buried in oblivion.
During our journey from Kirtland to Missouri, the weather was
remarkably warm, in consequence of which I suffered very much, and my
body was broken down by sickness, and I continued very feeble for a
considerable length of time.
The first Sunday after my arrival at Far West I was called upon to
preach to the Saints, which I endeavored to do, although I was scarcely
able to stand. I related many things respecting my mission and travels,
which were gladly received by the brethren, whose hearts were cheered
by the recital, while many of the Elders were stirred up to diligence,
and expressed a great desire to accompany us when we should return to
England.
Soon after my arrival, I had a lot given me by Bishop Partridge, and
also sufficient timber to build me a house. While it was being erected,
I lived in a place I built for my cow, about eleven feet square, and in
which I could hardly stand upright. The brethren were remarkably kind
and contributed to my necessities. One of them by the name of Charles
Hubbard, made me a present of forty acres of land, another gave me a
cow, etc.
When I had nearly finished my house, and after much labor, I was
obliged to abandon it to the mob, who at that time commenced
persecuting the Saints, driving off their cattle and destroying their
property.
It will not be expected that I should recapitulate the circumstances
which then transpired, which were of an extraordinary character, as
numbers have written on the subject. Suffice it to say, that the Saints
suffered privations, hunger, abuse, cold, famine, and many of them
death. Yes, the blood of the Saints has stained the soil of Missouri,
for which the King of kings and Lord of hosts will recompense upon her
the punishment of her crimes.
From about the 6th of August until the 1st of November it was a
continual scene of agitation and alarm, both by night and by day. The
enemies of righteousness were determined to overthrow the Saints,
and, regardless of all laws (which were trampled upon with impunity),
they made every preparation, and used every means in their power to
accomplish their unhallowed designs.
The Saints, tenacious of their liberties and sacred rights, resisted
these unlawful designs, and with courage worthy of them, they guarded
their families and their homes from the aggressions of the mob, but not
without the loss of several lives, among whom was my greatly esteemed
and much lamented friend, Elder David W. Patten, who fell a sacrifice
to the fell spirit of persecution, and a martyr to the cause of truth.
The circumstances of his death I will briefly relate:
It being ascertained that a mob had collected on Crooked River, in the
County of Caldwell, a company of sixty or seventy persons immediately
volunteered from Far West to watch their movements and repel their
attacks, and chose Elder Patten for their commander. They commenced
their march about midnight and came up to the mob very early next
morning, and as soon as the brethren approached near to them, they were
fired upon, when Captain Patten received a shot which proved fatal. The
mob after firing ran away. Several others of the brethren were wounded
at the same time, some of whom afterwards died.
Immediately on receiving the intelligence that Brother Patten was
wounded, I hastened to see him. When I arrived he appeared to be in
great pain, but still was glad to see me. He was conveyed about four
miles to the house of Brother Winchester. During his removal his
sufferings were so excruciating, that he frequently desired us to lay
him down that he might die. But being desirous to get him out of the
reach of the mob and among friends, we prevailed upon him to let us
convey him there.
He lived about an hour after his arrival, and was perfectly sensible
and collected until he breathed his last. He had medical assistance,
yet his wound was such that there was no hope entertained of his
recovery. This he was perfectly aware of. In this situation, while the
shades of time were lowering and eternity with all its realities was
opening to his view, he bore a strong testimony to the truth of the
work of the Lord and the religion he had espoused.
The principles of the gospel which were so precious to him before, were
honorably maintained in nature's final hour, and afforded him that
support and consolation at the time of his departure which deprived
death of its sting and its horror.
Speaking of those who had fallen from their steadfastness, he
exclaimed, "O that they were in my situation; for I feel that I have
kept the faith; I have finished my course; henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me,"
etc.
Speaking to his beloved partner, who was present, and who attended
him in his dying moments, he said, "Whatever you do else, O, do not
deny the faith!" He all the while expressed a great desire to depart.
I spoke to him and said, "Brother David, when you get home I want you
to remember me." He immediately exclaimed, "I will." At this time his
sight was gone.
We felt so very much attached to our beloved brother, that we beseeched
the Lord to spare his life and endeavored to exercise faith in the Lord
for his recovery. Of this he was perfectly aware, and expressed a wish
that we should let him go, as his desire was to be with Christ.
A few minutes before he died he prayed as follows: "Father, I ask thee,
in the name of Jesus Christ, that thou wouldst release my spirit and
receive it unto Thyself!" and then said to those who surrounded his
dying bed, "Brethren, you have held me by your faith, but do give me
up, and let me go, I beseech you."
We then committed him to God, and he soon breathed his last, and slept
in Jesus without a groan.
This was the end of one who was an honor to the Church and a blessing
to the Saints, and whose faith and virtues and diligence in the cause
of truth will be long remembered by all who had the pleasure of his
acquaintance; and his memory will be had in remembrance by the Church
of Christ from generation to generation.
It was indeed a painful circumstance to be deprived of the labors of
this worthy servant of Christ, and it east a gloom over the Saints;
yet the glorious and sealing testimony which he bore of his acceptance
with heaven, and the truth of the gospel, was a matter of joy and
satisfaction, not only to his immediate friends, but to the Saints at
large.
I remained in the State of Missouri until the 26th of April, A. D.
1839, it being the time appointed by revelation for the Twelve to take
their leave of the building spot of the house of the Lord and take
their journey across the ocean, and notwithstanding the threats of our
enemies that this prophecy should fail, we assembled on the public
square, at Far West, assisted Elder Alpheus Cutler to lay the corner
foundation stone, sang a hymn and united in prayer to God that He would
give us a prosperous mission.
During my stay in Missouri, I frequently went to see the brethren who
were confined in prison for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of
God. Many times after I had traveled forty or fifty miles to see them,
I was denied the privilege by the jailor and the guards.
I was with the brethren in nearly all their movements in the west,
and can bear testimony to their faith and virtues, and know they were
entirely innocent of the crimes alleged against them, and that their
persecutions were brought upon them on account of their attachment to
the gospel and to the Saints of the Lord.
Although they were in the Lands of their enemies, who threatened to
kill them, I always had the testimony that they would be delivered and
come forth victorious.
After the 26th of April, A. D. 1839, I took leave of Far West, and in
company with my brethren traveled to Illinois, where my family had
removed some time previous, and I had the unspeakable pleasure of
seeing my beloved friends, the First Presidency and others who had been
delivered out of the hands of their enemies and had arrived safely in
Illinois.
Soon after a general conference of the Church was held near Quincy, at
which the Saints from all the regions round about assembled. It was a
time which will long be remembered by the Saints, it being the first
conference held after their expulsion.