SAMUEL SMITH'S FIRST MISSION TO MISSOURI.
We remained two weeks at Mr. Morley's, then removed our family to a
farm which had been purchased by Joseph for the Church. On this farm
my family were all established with this arrangement, that we were
to cultivate the farm, and, from the fruits of our labor, we were to
receive our support; but all over and above this was to be used for the
comfort of strangers or brethren, who were traveling through the place.
About this time Joseph was requested by Parley P. Pratt and his
company, who were then in Missouri, to send some Elders to assist
them. He inquired of the Lord, and received the revelation contained
in the _Times and Seasons_, vol. v., p. 416, in which Samuel H. Smith
and Reynolds Cahoon were appointed to go together to Missouri. They
departed immediately on their mission. Before they had proceeded far,
they called at a town, the name of which I do not remember, where they
found William E. McLellin, who was employed as a clerk in a store.
After making a little inquiry, they found that Mr. McLellin was anxious
to hear them preach, and that he was willing to make some exertion to
obtain a house and congregation for them, for the name of Latter-day
Saint was new to him, and he felt curious to hear what the principles
of our faith were. So, by his interposition, they soon had a large
congregation seated in a comfortable room. They preached that evening,
and the next morning they pursued their journey.
Shortly after they left, Mr. McLellin became very uneasy respecting his
new acquaintances; he felt that it was his duty to have gone with them
and assisted them on their journey. This feeling worked so strongly
in his breast, as to deprive him of rest all the ensuing night; and,
before morning, he concluded to set out for Missouri, at the hazard of
business, character, and everything else. Accordingly, after settling
with his employer, he started in pursuit of Samuel, and Brother Cahoon.
He passed them on their way, and got to Missouri, and was baptized
before they arrived there.
On their route, Samuel and Brother Cahoon suffered great privations,
such as want of rest and food. At the time that they started for
Missouri, near fifty others also set out for the same place, all taking
different routes. When they arrived, they dedicated the spot for the
Temple. About this time, or soon after, a number of revelations were
received which the reader will find by following the History of Joseph
in the _Times and Seasons_, vol. v., from p. 448 to 466. A clause
in one of these reads as follows: "Let my servant Reynolds Cahoon,
and my servant Samuel H. Smith, with whom I am well pleased, be not
separated until they return to their homes, and this for a wise purpose
in me." p. 465. And here, let me say, that Samuel was never censured
by revelation, to my knowledge, for he always performed his missions
faithfully, and his work was well approved.