1839-40.
SAINTS LOCATE AT COMMERCE, AFTERWARDS CALLED NAUVOO--AN UNHEALTHY
PLACE--A DAY OF MIRACULOUS HEALINGS--APOSTLES SET OUT UPON MISSIONS TO
ENGLAND--THEIR LABORS IN THAT LAND.
When the chosen people of the Lord had fled from the wicked mobs of
Missouri and settled among the kind-hearted citizens of Illinois,
they began to enjoy a season of welfare and happiness, that showed to
the world, after all the evil spoken of Mormonism, how powerful this
religion really is. This was one of those times of peace that changed
with the times of trouble. And you have doubtless noticed since the
organization of the Church that after a season of persecution comes a
season of liberty.
This was the last time in the life of the Prophet Joseph when he could
use his great mind and soul undisturbed, to advance the people he was
chosen to lead; and though some troubles came to him, yet these were
small compared with what he had already passed through. We love to look
at the Prophet during this time, in the prime of his manhood, employed
at the work that was so near his heart. The Church had grown to number
many thousands, and its members were both in the new and in the old
world. As the work grew the burden on the Prophet became heavier, but
he was equal to it all.
On May-day, in the spring of 1839, Joseph bought the first piece of
land at Commerce, a little village of six houses on the banks of the
Mississippi, about fifty miles north of Quincy. The ground was low
and marshy, and the place very unhealthful, but it was a beautiful
situation. The great Mississippi river flowed in a splendid curve on
three sides of it. The name was soon changed from Commerce to Nauvoo,
the latter being a Hebrew word, meaning beautiful. Ten days later
Joseph settled his family here, and the Saints began rapidly to gather
and build up a city. They lived at first in tents and log-huts and were
very glad of these.
Land was bought also just across the river in Iowa, and Brigham Young
and others settled there. The Saints were all worn out with the great
hardships of the past winter, and this made them an easy prey to the
disease that lurked in the swamps along the river. It was not long
until most of them were taken down with chills and fever. Joseph
himself was stricken, his iron constitution giving way on account of
nursing the sick about him so constantly.
On the 22nd of July the Prophet rose from his bed, and filled with the
Spirit of the Lord he went forth, and these are some of the labors of
that day as given by Wilford Woodruff, who was present at the time:
Many lay sick along the bank of the river, and Joseph walked along
up to the lower stone house, occupied by Sidney Rigdon, and he
healed all the sick that lay in his path. Among the number was
Henry G. Sherwood, who was nigh unto death. Joseph stood in the
mouth of his tent and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ
to arise and come out of his tent, and he obeyed him and was
healed. Brother Benjamin Brown and his family also lay sick, the
former appearing to be in a dying condition. Joseph healed them
in the name of the Lord. After healing all that lay sick upon the
bank of the river as far as the stone house, he called upon Elder
Kimball and some others to accompany him across the river to visit
the sick at Montrose. Many of the Saints were living at the old
military barracks. Among the number were several of the Twelve. On
his arrival, the first house he visited was that occupied by Elder
Brigham Young, the President of the quorum of the Twelve, who lay
sick. Joseph healed him, when he arose and accompanied the Prophet
on his visit to others who were in the same condition. They visited
Elder W. Woodruff, also Elders Orson Pratt and John Taylor, all
of whom were living in Montrose. They also accompanied him. The
next place they visited was the home of Elijah Fordham, who was
supposed to be about breathing his last. When the company entered
the room the Prophet of God walked up to the dying man, and took
hold of his right hand and spoke to him; but Brother Fordham was
unable to speak; his eyes were set in his head like glass, and he
seemed entirely unconscious of all around him. Joseph held his
hand and looked into his eyes in silence for a length of time. A
change in the countenance of Brother Fordham was soon perceptible
to all present. His sight returned, and upon Joseph asking him if
he knew him, he, in a low whisper, answered "Yes." Joseph asked
him if he had faith to be healed. He answered, "I fear it is too
late; if you had come sooner I think I could have been healed." The
Prophet said, "Do you not believe in Jesus Christ?" He answered in
a feeble voice, "I do." Joseph then stood erect, still holding his
hand in silence several moments, then he spoke in a loud voice,
saying, "Brother Fordham, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ
to arise from this bed and be made whole." His voice was like the
voice of God and not of man. It seemed as though the house shook
to its very foundation. Brother Fordham arose from his bed and was
immediately made whole. His feet were bound in poultices, which
he kicked off; then putting on his clothes he ate a bowl of bread
and milk and followed the Prophet into the street. The company
next visited Brother Joseph Bates Noble, who lay very sick. He
also was healed by the Prophet. By this time the wicked became
alarmed, and followed the company into Brother Noble's house. After
Brother Noble was healed all kneeled down to pray. Brother Fordham
was mouth, and while praying he fell to the floor. The Prophet
arose, and looking round he saw quite a number of unbelievers in
the house, whom he ordered out. When the room was cleared of them
Brother Fordham came to and finished his prayer.
Soon after this great day of healing, the Apostles began setting out
on their mission to England. Heber C. Kimball had already opened
the English mission in the summer of 1837, but he returned home the
following year and Willard Richards was left in charge. We can hardly
think of greater sacrifices that men can make than the Apostles made
in going out at this time. Many were very sick and their families
suffering from sickness and want. The Apostles traveled without purse
and scrip, relying on the Lord to care for them and supply their wants.
Their sufferings and integrity will be lessons of faith for all time to
come.
On the first of July Joseph and his counselors crossed the Mississippi
river to the Iowa shore and there held meeting with the Apostles.
Joseph blessed them for their journey, and gave much instruction
concerning their coming duties, and unfolded many of the glorious
things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
One week later John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff set out for their
mission. Brother Woodruff rose from a sick bed, where his wife also lay
unable to rise. He blessed her and went forth without a murmur. Elder
Taylor was about the only one of the Apostles who enjoyed health, but
on the way he too was stricken down. Although he was without money he
would not give up, and the Lord rewarded his faith. He reached New York
with only one cent in his pocket. The brethren there offered to donate
enough to pay his passage to England but he refused it, saying that the
Lord would open the way. Before the day of sailing, enough money was
given him to pay for his own ticket and that of Brother Turley, whom he
had promised to take with him.
Parley P. Pratt had escaped after great trouble from prison through the
aid of his brother Orson, and now together, on the 29th of August, they
left Nauvoo. On the 18th of September Brigham Young departed, though
unable to walk alone, and leaving a sick wife, and a baby only ten days
old. He was joined by Heber C. Kimball, whose wife and all but one
child were sick. Both Brigham and Heber were so weak that they could
not carry their single trunk. George A. Smith went three days later,
leaving father, mother, sister and brother helpless in a log stable. He
was so thin and pale that a man called out as he passed, "Somebody has
been robbing a graveyard of a skeleton."
Joseph said later that the Apostles "went forth weeping and bearing
precious seed," but they "returned with rejoicing and bearing sheaves
with them." It was a glorious work they did. Each one was blessed
with success in his particular field. Willard Richards was ordained
an Apostle on the 14th of April, 1840, and this made eight Apostles
laboring in the British mission. In a little over one year 5,000 copies
of the Book of Mormon had been printed, and 3,000 hymn books and 50,000
tracts had been published. The _Millennial Star_, a monthly paper, had
been begun, with Parley P. Pratt as editor. Over 3,000 more persons
had joined the Church, and the precious seed was sown in many parts
of England, and also in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. And
when the Apostles came back they did return with rejoicings and their
sheaves were full of precious grain.