Organization of the Presidency--Church Activities
1847-1849
Activities on the Missouri
As soon as the apostles arrived at Winter Quarters they held council
meetings almost daily, which continued during the months of November
and December, for there was much to be done. The Saints had been
greatly blessed in their crops and a good and abundant harvest had
been gathered. Instructions were given that all the Church records
should be gathered and prepared for removal to the Salt Lake Valley.
The poor among the Saints were also to be gathered, and instructions
were given to the people at Garden Grove to move to Winter Quarters
in the spring. Elder Jesse C. Little was called again to preside in
the Eastern States and Elder John Brown, who had led the Mississippi
Saints to Pueblo, and later was one of the pioneers, was called to take
charge of the work in the Southern States. November 8, it was decided
to vacate Winter Quarters and move to the east bank of the Missouri,
and there make a settlement for the members of the Church who were not
able to continue to the west. All who could leave in the spring for the
west would be called upon to do so. Elder Hyde, who had been presiding
at Winter Quarters, reported that action had been taken against Bishop
George Miller and James Emmett, who, contrary to counsel, had moved to
Texas instead of continuing on to the Rocky Mountains. This action was
approved by the council of the twelve. Elder Orson Pratt was chosen
to go to England and preside in the British Mission and Elder Wilford
Woodruff to Canada. Some twenty-seven elders were called to various
mission fields. November 22, the brethren wrote a letter to Oliver
Cowdery, whose heart had softened, exhorting him to be baptized.
Organization of the First Presidency
From the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and Patriarch Hyrum Smith
in 1844, until December, 1847, the Twelve Apostles, with President
Brigham Young at their head, were sustained as the presiding council
of the Church. On the return journey to Winter Quarters from the Salt
Lake Valley, the apostles conversed on the subject of reorganizing the
First Presidency. December 5, 1847, they met in council at the home of
Orson Hyde, on the east bank of the Missouri River, when this and other
important matters were considered. There were present at this meeting:
President Brigham Young, and Elders Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson
Pratt, Willard Richards, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Amasa M.
Lyman and Ezra T. Benson. Elders Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor were
in the Salt Lake Valley, and Lyman Wight, who had failed to accompany
the Church to the West, was in Texas. Elders Lyman and Benson had been
called into the council of the twelve to succeed William Smith and John
E. Page, who had been excommunicated because of insubordination and
rebellion against authority. Each of the brethren present expressed his
views in turn in relation to the matter of the First Presidency, after
which, on motion of Elder Orson Hyde, Brigham Young was unanimously
sustained as President of the Church "with authority to nominate" his
two counselors. He chose Elder Heber C. Kimball, as his first and
Willard Richards, as his second counselor. The choosing of Heber C.
Kimball, was the fulfilment of a prediction by the Patriarch Hyrum
Smith. In a patriarchal blessing given to Elder Kimball March 9, 1842,
Hyrum Smith said: "You shall be blessed with a fulness and shall be
not one whit behind the chiefest; as an apostle you shall stand in the
presence of God to judge the people; and as a prophet you shall attain
to the honor of the three." The following day they selected "Uncle"
John Smith to be "the Patriarch over the whole Church." Elders Orson
Hyde and Ezra T. Benson were appointed to go east and Amasa M. Lyman
to the north to procure means to help the Saints to emigrate the next
season. The apostles also ordained Luke S. Johnson an elder.
The Sustaining Vote of the Saints
A general conference of the Church on the Missouri was held December
24 to 27, 1847, on the Iowa side of the Missouri River. A large log
tabernacle had been constructed which would seat nearly one thousand
persons. On the last day of this conference the First Presidency,
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards, chosen by the
apostles on the 4th of the month, were unanimously sustained by the
vote of the Saints. John Smith was also sustained as the "Patriarch
over all the Church." The action of this conference was subsequently
ratified by the members of the Church in Iowa and in the Salt Lake
Valley, at conferences held in April, 1848; and in the British Isles at
a conference held in Manchester, August 14, 1848.
The day before the conference convened (Dec. 23), a general epistle was
issued by the apostles to all the members of the Church, "dispersed
throughout the earth." This was a very important epistle portraying the
movements of the Church since the exodus from Nauvoo, and declaring the
intentions and prospects of the people for the immediate future. All
the members of the Church who had been driven from their homes were
instructed to gather to the site selected for their settlement in the
Great Basin. Others in the United States, Canada and Great Britain,
were likewise counseled to gather, as circumstances would permit. They
were to bring with them seeds of every kind--"everything that grows
upon the face of the whole earth that will please the eye, gladden the
heart, or cheer the soul of man." They were also to bring "the best
stock of beasts, birds and fowl," and tools of every kind. Advice in
relation to the building of Zion; the preaching of the Gospel; the
duties of parents; the building of the temple, and other matters of
grave concern to the members of the Church, were also set forth, for
their comfort and guidance, during those days of reconstruction and
great trial.
Kanesville--Pottawattamie County
Following the advice of President Young, the Saints residing at Winter
Quarters moved across the Missouri River to the Bluffs on the Iowa
side. This country was called the "Pottawattamie country," because
it was inhabited by a tribe of Indians by that name. These Indians
had been removed by the government, a few months before, to another
part, leaving the Saints in sole occupancy of the land. There were
no settlements within many miles of the Latter-day Saints. President
Young deemed it wise that the Saints should hold these lands for some
time, in the interests of immigration, and therefore many who were not
prepared to go west, and some who preferred to remain, made this place
their home.
The settlement established by them was in what was called "Miller's
Hollow." They named it "Kanesville," in honor of Colonel Thomas L.
Kane, who had been instrumental in securing for them privileges from
the government, and who had shown his friendship on many occasions.
Elder Orson Hyde, who was left in charge after the departure of
President Young and the majority of the Saints, published a paper, the
_Frontier Guardian_, which continued under his editorship for three
years. When the Saints residing there were instructed to join the main
body of the Latter-day Saints in the West, the paper was sold and the
members of the Church left their holdings for other people.
The Iowa Legislature in 1847, provided for the creation of counties in
the Pottawattamie country, whenever the judge of that district "should
decree that the public good required it." The Saints petitioned for a
county organization, and learned that the judge had already taken steps
in that direction. The County of Pottawattamie was therefore organized,
and was officered by members of the Church. Other settlers began to
arrive, after the Saints had made of the place a pleasant habitation.
When the call came for the members of the Church to "arise and come
home" in 1852, they deserted Kanesville and the name was soon changed
to Council Bluffs, by which name it has since been known.
President Young's Second Trip Across the Plains
During the month of May, 1848, preparations were made for the departure
of the main body of the Saints on the Missouri River. On the 9th of
that month the first company of twenty-two wagons departed and camped
on the Elkhorn. On the 26th, President Young left Winter Quarters
and took command of the camps and led them across the plains. This
was to be his last trip, for his duties henceforth were to be among
the settlements in the Rocky Mountains. During the month of June
Presidents Young and Kimball commenced their journey at the head of
camps consisting of over six hundred wagons and nearly two thousand
souls, with their accompanying goods and chattels. President Willard
Richards followed in the month of July with another camp of one hundred
and sixty-nine wagons and over five hundred souls. These camps traveled
in accordance with the regulations adopted at the beginning among the
pioneers. From this time forth, for many years, companies of Latter-day
Saints might be seen crossing the plains, coming from Europe and the
various states of the Union. Presidents Young and Kimball arrived
in the valley in September, and President Richards arrived early in
October, 1848.
Plague of the Crickets
The season was so far advanced when the pioneers arrived in the summer
of 1847 that little resulted from the planting, except to obtain some
seed potatoes. Their salvation depended on the success of their crops
in 1848. They had built three saw mills in the mountains and one grist
mill. Their planted fields consisted of five thousand one hundred and
thirty-three acres, of which nearly nine hundred acres were planted in
winter wheat. With the aid of irrigation all things looked favorable,
and it appeared that there would be a fruitful harvest. The Saints were
happy and their prospects were bright. They gave thanks to the Lord and
in humility desired to serve him. In the months of May and June they
were menaced by a danger as bad as the persecution of mobs. Myriads of
crickets came down the mountain sides into the valley, like a vast army
marshalled for battle, and began to destroy the fields. From one they
would pass on to another, and in a few moments leave a field as barren
as a desert waste. Something had to be done, or the inhabitants must
perish. The community was aroused and every soul entered the unequal
conflict. Trenches were dug around the fields and filled with water, in
the hope of stopping the ravages of the pest, but without result. Fire
was equally unavailing. The attempt was made to beat them back with
clubs, brooms and other improvised weapons, but nothing that man could
do was able to stop the steady onward march of the voracious crickets.
The settlers were helpless before them.
The Miracle of the Gulls
When all seemed lost, and the Saints were giving up in despair, the
heavens became clouded with gulls, which hovered over the fields,
uttering their plaintive scream. Was this a new evil come upon them?
Such were the thoughts of some who expected that what the crickets left
the gulls would destroy; but not so, the gulls in countless battalions
descended and began to devour the crickets, waging a battle for the
preservation of the crops. They ate, they gorged upon the pest, and
then flying to the streams would drink and vomit and again return to
the battle front. This took place day by day until the crickets were
destroyed. The people gave thanks, for this was to them a miracle.
Surely the Lord was merciful and had sent the gulls as angels of mercy
for their salvation.[1] Since that time the gull has been looked upon
by the Latter-day Saints almost as a sacred deliverer. Laws have been
passed for the protection of these birds, and the wanton killing of one
would be considered a crime of great magnitude.
The Feast of the Harvest
The first harvest in the valley was none too plentiful; however,
enough had been raised to tide over the season with the oncoming
and constantly increasing population. It is doubtful if ever since
then a harvest has filled the hearts of the people with such joy and
satisfaction. With thankful hearts, August 10, 1848, a public "harvest
feast" was celebrated in the valley. It had been demonstrated that
abundant crops could be raised with proper care and cultivation. Large
sheaves of wheat, rye, barley, and other products of the soil, were
placed on exhibition, and the people celebrated with music, song,
speeches, prayer and thanksgiving.
The Return of Oliver Cowdery
For some time the Spirit of the Lord had been striving with Oliver
Cowdery. Finally he decided to accept the admonition of the apostles
given November 22, 1847, and again unite with the Church. He came to
Kanesville with his family, in October, 1848, and asked to be received
as a member in the Church. He had been absent for over ten years. A
special conference was held October 21, 1848, at which Oliver Cowdery
arose and confessed the error of his ways and gave his testimony as
follows:
"Friends and Brethren: My name is Cowdery, Oliver Cowdery. In the
early history of this Church I stood identified with her, and one
in her councils. True it is that the gifts and callings of God
are without repentance; not because I was better than the rest of
mankind was I called; but, to fulfil the purposes of God, he called
me to a high and holy calling.
"I wrote with my own pen the entire Book of Mormon (save a few
pages), as it fell from the lips of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as
he translated it by the gift and power of God, by the means of
the Urim and Thummim, or, as it is called by that book, 'holy
interpreters.' I beheld with my eyes, and handled with my hands,
the gold plates from which it was transcribed. I also saw with
my eyes and handled with my hands the 'holy interpreters.' That
book is true. Sidney Rigdon did not write it. Mr. Spaulding did
not write it. I wrote it myself as it fell from the lips of the
Prophet. It contains the everlasting Gospel, and came forth to the
children of men in fulfilment of the revelations of John, where he
says he saw an angel come with the everlasting Gospel to preach to
every nation, kindred, tongue and people. It contains principles of
salvation; and if you, my hearers, will walk by its light and obey
its precepts, you will be saved with an everlasting salvation in
the kingdom of God on high. Brother Hyde has just said that it is
very important that we keep and walk in the true channel, in order
to avoid the sand-bars. This is true. The channel is here. The Holy
Priesthood is here.
"I was present with Joseph when an holy angel from God came down
from heaven and conferred on us, or restored the lesser or Aaronic
Priesthood, and said to us at the same time, that it should remain
upon the earth while the earth stands.
"I was also present with Joseph when the higher or Melchizedek
Priesthood was conferred by holy angels from on high. This
Priesthood we then conferred on each other, by the will and
commandment of God. This Priesthood, as was then declared, is also
to remain upon the earth until the last remnant of time. This Holy
Priesthood, or authority, we then conferred upon many, and is just
as good and valid as though God had done it in person.
"I laid my hands upon that man--yes, I laid my right hand upon
his head (pointing to Brother Hyde), and I conferred upon him the
Priesthood, and he holds that Priesthood now. He was also called
through me, by the prayer of faith, an apostle of the Lord Jesus
Christ."
A few days later Oliver Cowdery appeared before the high council at
Kanesville and requested that he be received into the Church. His case
was considered and on motion of Elder Orson Hyde, who presided at
Kanesville, he was received by baptism. When Oliver appeared before the
high council on this occasion he said:
"Brethren, for a number of years I have been separated from you.
I now desire to come back. I wish to come humbly and to be one in
your midst, I seek no station. I only wish to be identified with
you. I am out of the Church. I am not a member of the Church, but
I wish to become a member of it. I wish to come in at the door.
I know the door. I have not come here to seek precedence, I come
humbly, and throw myself upon the decisions of this body, knowing,
as I do, that its decisions are right, and should be obeyed."
It was a sad occasion, yet a time of rejoicing to see the former
"Second Elder" of the Church with a contrite spirit desiring fellowship
in the Church, and the association of his former brethren. After
his baptism he desired to go to the Salt Lake Valley and then take
a mission to Great Britain. Before doing so he went to visit with
relatives in Missouri, and while there he was taken sick and died March
3, 1850. He died a happy man with the assurance that his sins had been
forgiven him.
The Beginning of New Settlements
Explorations of the surrounding valleys commenced as soon as the
pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley, for the purpose of discovering
suitable sites for other gathering places. In the fall of 1847,
Perrigrine Sessions, Samuel Brown and Hector C. Haight moved into the
valley north (Davis County) with herds of cattle. Sessions camped near
the spot where Bountiful was subsequently built, and there he lived
during the winter with part of his family, first in a wagon and then
in a hut. Later he built a permanent home which was the beginning of
Bountiful, formerly called Session's Settlement. Hector C. Haight went
a few miles farther north and made his camp near the present site of
Farmington, on Big Creek. Later he moved about three miles north on
Haight's Creek, where he built a cabin where he lived with one of his
sons during the winter of 1847-48. In 1848, Daniel Miller, Thomas
Grover, Jacob F. Secrist, William Smith and many others moved to the
north and became the first settlers of Bountiful, Farmington and other
towns in Davis County. Early in the year 1848, Captain James Brown,
who had returned from California, entered into negotiations with Miles
M. Goodyear, a trapper and trader, for the purchase of lands where
the present city of Ogden is built. There he located, calling the
place Brownsville. John S. Higbee and others located in Utah valley
in 1849. That same year John Rowberry led a company to Tooele Valley,
and Isaac Morley another to Sanpete Valley. In all these places
permanent settlements were established in that year. From this time on
colonization continued, under the direction of President Brigham Young,
and settlements began to spring up throughout the Rocky Mountains,
extending for hundreds of miles. The prophecy of Joseph Smith uttered
August 6, 1842, was realized.
Filling Vacancies in the Council of the Twelve
The organization of the First Presidency and the disfellowshipment of
Lyman Wight, left four vacancies in the council of the twelve. February
11, 1849, the First Presidency and apostles met in council at the homes
of Elder George B. Wallace to consider the filling of these vacancies.
President Young nominated Elders Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus
Snow and Franklin D. Richards for these positions, which nominations
were approved by the apostles. The following day at the home of Elder
Wallace, they were ordained.
The Salt Lake Stake
In the fall of 1847, the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley were organized
into a stake. It became necessary in 1849, to perfect that organization
and make certain changes. A meeting was called, February 13, 1849, for
that purpose. Elder Daniel Spencer was set apart as president of the
Salt Lake Stake, succeeding Patriarch John Smith, with David Fullmer
and Willard Snow as his counselors. A committee was appointed to lay
the city off into ecclesiastical wards, which later reported, and at
another meeting held on the 16th, the high council was organized and
officers chosen for quorums of the Priesthood. The following division
of the valley into wards was decided on: "South of the city and east
of the Jordan River, into four wards: Canyon Creek (Sugar House)
Ward, embracing the five-acre survey and all east of it; Mill Creek
Ward, embracing the ten-acre survey and all east of it; a third ward,
embracing the country between the ten-acre survey and the Cottonwood
Creek; and a fourth, embracing all south of the Cottonwood. West of the
Jordan: Canaan Ward; north of the city and east of the Jordan and the
lake, three wards." These wards included the settlements as far north
as Brownsville (Ogden). At another meeting held on the 22nd of the
month the city was divided into nineteen wards of nine blocks each.
The Perpetual Emigration Fund
Business of great importance was considered at the October general
conference of the Church in 1849. It was decided that the Church should
establish a "Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company," for the gathering
of the poor from the nations of the earth. The company was duly
incorporated and committees were appointed for the purpose of gathering
means for this fund, which were used in bringing great numbers of the
Latter-day Saints to the valleys of the mountains. This continued for
many years. Finally, in 1887, the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company
was disincorporated by the passage of the Edmunds-Tucker bill, and the
funds escheated to the government for the benefit of the common schools
of Utah. It was intended that those who were aided by this fund should
pay back into it the means advanced for their transportation to the
West, that others might be helped also to emigrate. In this way it
would be a perpetual and self-sustaining fund. Five thousand dollars
was the sum of the original contributions, and by its aid as many as
five hundred wagons were furnished some seasons to help the Saints
across the plains.
Increased Missionary Activity
At this same conference missionaries were called to go to various parts
of the earth as follows: Elder Charles C. Rich, to Southern California
(San Bernardino) to assist Amasa M. Lyman and to succeed him in that
field of labor; Addison Pratt, James Brown and Hyrum H. Blackwell, to
the Society Islands; Lorenzo Snow and Joseph Toronto, to Italy; Erastus
Snow and Peter O. Hansen, to Denmark; John Taylor, Curtis E. Bolton
and John Pack, to France; Franklin D. Richards, Joseph W. Johnson,
Joseph W. Young, Job Smith, Haden Church, George B. Wallace, John S.
Higbee and Jacob Gates, to England; and John E. Forsgren, to Sweden.
This was a wonderful undertaking and a remarkable trial of faith, in
the days of the poverty and adversity of the people, when the help of
all was needed to build up settlements and contend with the trials
and hardships of pioneer life in this western country. In the evening
of the 6th of October, the presidency set apart the brethren of the
apostles for their fields of labor, and the apostles set apart the
elders who were also called to various mission fields. In a very short
time all were on their way to carry the message of salvation to the
world, a duty the Lord has placed upon the elders of the Church, which
is second to no other. The inspiration of these calls is seen in the
fruitful harvest of souls which was gathered in England, Scandinavia
and other lands.
An Unexpected Harvest
The harvest of 1848 was hardly adequate for the needs of the Saints,
for their numbers had been greatly increased by immigration. The people
therefore were under the necessity of conserving to make ends meet.
They were placed on rations and were forced also to resort to the
digging of sego roots, and making greens from thistles and weeds to eke
out an existence. Their clothing was scant, and most of the men dressed
in buckskins, and all materials were made to do extra service. During
these stringent times, President Heber C. Kimball delivered a discourse
in which he uttered a remarkable prophecy. He said that within a short
time "states goods" would be sold in Salt Lake City cheaper than they
could be purchased in St. Louis or New York, and that the people would
be supplied with both food and clothing. Few, if any, who heard these
remarks, believed him. Such a thing in the far west, over a thousand
miles from the nearest settlements, where all goods had to be freighted
by team, seemed an impossibility. Yet the prophecy was literally
fulfilled.
In the summer of 1849, gold seekers on their way to California,
commenced arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. Their animals were worn
out by the long and strenuous journey, for in their haste for gold,
these travelers had sacrificed all things, that they might make haste
to their destination. Now they were anxious to obtain fresh animals for
their tired ones, that they might hurry on their journey. To do this
they were willing to dispose of their goods at a great sacrifice. They
lightened their loads in the interest of speed and disposed of their
provisions, clothing and other materials, at a price below the cost of
the articles in the states at the time they started on their westward
journey.
Notes
1. September 13, 1913, a monument commemorating this event, was
unveiled on the Temple Block, Salt Lake City. The "Seagull Monument,"
as it is called, is the work of Mahonri M. Young, grandson of President
Brigham Young.