CHAPTER LIV.--Family Letters:--"My Fiftieth Year:"--Response by John

Taylor.

APPENDIX

GENEALOGY

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE

CHAPTER I.

------------------------

Parentage:--Childhood:--Youth:--Education:--Early

Impressions:--Journey Westward:--Making a New Farm in the

Wilderness of Oswego.

Parley Parker Pratt, the subject and author of these sketches,

and third son of Jared and Charity Pratt, of Canaan, Columbia

County, New York, was born April 12, 1807, in Burlington, Otsego

County, N.Y.*

[Footnote] *For genealogy in full see Appendix.

Of my early youth I shall say but little. My father was a hard

working man, and generally occupied in agricultural pursuits; and,

although limited in education, he sometimes taught school, and even

vocal music.

He was a man of excellent morals; and he exerted himself

diligently, by stern example as well as precept, to instill into

the minds of his children every principle of integrity, honesty,

honor and virtue.

He taught us to venerate our Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, His

prophets and Apostles, as well as the Scriptures written by them;

while at the same time he belonged to no religious sect, and was

careful to preserve his children free from all prejudice in favor

of or against any particular denomination, into which the so-called

Christian world was then unhappily divided.

We frequently attended public worship, with Presbyterians,

Baptists and Methodists in turn, or, as circumstances rendered

convenient--having equal respect for these several forms of worship

and their adherents. Though my father did sometimes manifest a

decided disapprobation of a hireling clergy, who seemed, in his

estimation, to prefer the learning and wisdom of man to the gifts

and power of the Holy Ghost.

His means to educate his children were very limited; but that

excellent system of common school education early established in

the Eastern and Middle States afforded to them, in common with

others, an opportunity to learn, and even to become familiar with

the four great branches, which are the foundation of literature and

the sciences.

My opportunity, even in these institutions, was far more limited

than most of the youths of my country, on account of my time being

mostly required in physical exertion to assist in sustaining the

family of my father.

But I always loved a book. If I worked hard, a book was in my

hand in the morning while others were sitting down to breakfast;

the same at noon; if I had a few moments, a _book_! a BOOK!

A book at evening, while others slept or sported; a book on

Sundays; a book at every leisure moment of my life.

At the age of seven years my mother gave me lessons to read in

the Scriptures; I read of Joseph in Egypt, his dreams, his

servitude, his temptation and exaltation; his kindness and

affection for his father and brethren. All this inspired me with

love, and with the noblest sentiments ever planted in the bosom of

man.

I read of David and Goliath;--of Saul and Samuel;--of Samson and

the Philistines:--all these inspired me with hatred to the deeds of

evil doers and love for good men and their deeds.

After this I read of Jesus and his Apostles; and O, how I loved

them! How I longed to fall at the feet of Jesus; to worship him, or

to offer my life for his.

At about twelve years of age I read of the first resurrection,

as described by John the Apostle, in the 20th chapter of his

Revelation; how they, martyrs of Jesus, and those who kept His

commandments would live and reign with Christ a thousand years,

while the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years

were ended. O, what an impression this made on my mind; I retired

to rest after an evening spent in this way; but I could not sleep.

I felt a longing desire and an inexpressible anxiety to secure to

myself a part in a resurrection so glorious. I felt a weight of

worlds,--of _eternal_ worlds resting upon me; for fear I

might still remain in uncertainty, and at last fall short and still

sleep on in the cold embrace of death; while the great, the good,

the blessed and the holy of this world would awake from the gloom

of the grave and be renovated, filled with life and joy, and enter

upon life with all its joys: while for a thousand years their busy,

happy tribes should trample on my sleeping dust, and still my

spirit wait in dread suspense, impatient of its doom. I tried to

pray; but O, how weak!

At the age of fifteen I was separated from my father's house,

and placed as an assistant on a farm, with a gentleman by the name

of William S. Herrick. This gentleman and his family were exemplary

members of the Presbyterian Church; and better, kinder, or more

agreeable people are seldom met with in this wicked world. They

treated me as if I had been an only son, instead of a hired

servant.

I was with them eight months, during which time our mutual

affection for each other increased; and I felt grieved when my time

expired and duty called me elsewhere.

During the winter following, being in the sixteenth year of my

age, I boarded with one of my aunts (my father's sister), named Van

Cott; she was an excellent and kind-hearted woman, and acted as a

mother to me. This winter I spent mostly at school, and it was my

last opportunity to improve my education by any means, except my

own unaided exertion--at least for many years.

In this school, by close application, I made such extraordinary

progress that the teacher often spoke of me to the whole school,

and exhorted them to learn as Parley Pratt did;--said he (to some

of them who were more fond of mischief than of study), if you would

learn as he does, you would become men of wisdom and talent in the

world; but if you continue the course you have done you will remain

in obscurity and unknown; while he will be known, and fill

important stations in society. I do not mention these circumstances

by way of boasting; but simply because they are true. How little

did I then realize, or even dream of the station I should be called

to fill.

Again the spring returned;--I was sixteen years of age. I left

the school of my boyhood forever, and commenced again a life of

toil. I assisted my cousin, William Pratt, in the cultivation of

the farm of my aunt (where I had boarded the previous winter) until

September, when I started a journey to the West, in company with my

brother William, in search of some spot of ground in the wilderness

which we might prepare as our future home.

We travelled about two hundred miles on foot, and at length

selected a spot for a farm in the woods, about two miles from

Oswego, a small town situated on Lake Ontario, in the State of New

York. We purchased seventy acres of land, which was covered with an

immense growth of timber, principally beech, maple and hemlock. For

this we bargained with one Mr. Morgan, and agreed to pay four

dollars per acre, in four annual payments with interest--paying

some seventy dollars in hand.

We then repaired again to the East, and, by dint of hard labor,

endeavored to earn the money. Wages were very low, and at length my

brother William entirely failed in raising his part of the money

for our next installment.

The next spring found me in the employment of a wealthy farmer,

by the name of Eliphet Bristol, in the neighborhood of my aunt Van

Cott's. Here I experienced no kindness; no friendship from my

employer or his family. I always commenced work before sunrise, and

continued till dark; losing only three days in eight months. I was

then but a lad--being only seventeen years of age--and stood in

need of fatherly and motherly care and comfort. But they treated a

laborer as a machine; not as a human being, possessed of feelings

and sympathies in common with his species. _Work_! WORK!

_WORK_! you are hired to work. A man that paid for his work

should never be weary, faint, or sick; or expect a kind look or

word. He agrees to work; we agree to pay him; that is sufficient.

He needs no kindness, no affection, no smiles, no encouragement of

any kind. Such was their spirit towards me during this eight months

of toil. I was glad when the time expired; I felt like one released

from prison. I took my wages, and was accompanied by my father to

our place in Oswego. Here I paid all my hard earnings to meet the

yearly installment due on the land--reserving merely enough to

purchase two axes. We then commenced to chop and clear the heavy

timber all the time that we could command, extra of earning our

board. It was a cold, snowy winter, such as is usual in the

northern part of New York. But we earned our living, and chopped

and cleared ten acres during the winter and spring; this we

surrounded with a fence of rails, and planted with wheat and Indian

corn, being in hopes to meet the next payment with the avails of

our harvest.

CHAPTER II.

------------------------

Thoughts on Religion:--Join the Baptist

Church:--Strange Perversion of a Scripture Promise.

It was during these toils in the wilderness that my mind was

drawn out from time to time on the things of God and eternity. I

felt deeply anxious to be saved from my sins, and to secure an

interest in that world "where the wicked cease from troubling, and

the weary are at rest." I attended public worship with a society of

Baptists who had employed one W. A. Scranton for their minister; he

was a scholar from Hamilton Seminary (an institution where young

men are educated for the ministry).

I said to my father one day while we were laboring together in

the forest: "Father, how is it there is so manifest a difference

between the ancient and modern disciples of Jesus Christ and their

doctrines? If, for instance, I had lived in the days of the

Apostles, and believed in Jesus Christ, and had manifested a wish

to become his disciple, Peter or his brethren would have said to

me, '_Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for_

REMISSION OF SINS, _and you_ SHALL _receive the gift of

the Holy Ghost_.' I should then have known definitely and

precisely what to do to be saved. Whereas, _now_ we go to

the religious minister for instruction, and he tells us we must

experience a mysterious, indefinite and undefinable something

called religion before we can repent and be baptized acceptably.

But, if we inquire how, or by what means we are to come at this

experience, he cannot tell us definitely; but will tell us that it

is the work of God in the soul; which he will accomplish in his own

due time, for his own elect; and that we can do nothing acceptably

till this is done. That even our prayers and repentance, and all

our good works are sin; so long as this work of God is not done

within us.

"Now, father," said I, "how is this? I believe in Jesus; I wish

to serve him and keep his commandments; I love him: He has

commanded all men to repent and be baptized, and has promised to

remit the sins of all those who obey the gospel ordinances, and to

pour out the Holy Spirit upon them. Yet, if I apply to the

Presbyterians they will sprinkle some water in my face instead of

baptizing me. If I go to the Methodists it is the same. And if I go

to the Baptists they will not baptize me for _remission of sins

_, that I may receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; but they will

require of me to relate _an experience_, and to tell of some

time and place where I had already experienced that which I am only

seeking for, and have not found. This, of course, I cannot do; and,

therefore, they will not receive me unto baptism. How, then, can I

observe the ordinances of God and keep his commandments?"

To these inquiries my father could give no satisfactory answer;

but observed that times and circumstances had changed. With this I

was not satisfied, of course; for who had a right to change the

ordinances, transgress the law, or break the covenant of the

everlasting gospel? Such were my thoughts.

I still continued to ponder upon these things, and to search the

Scriptures to learn how to be saved. I found the same principles

and practice throughout the history of the Apostles, the Jews,

Samaritans, Gentiles, Ephesians, Corinthians, Romans, the Ethiopian

eunuch, Saul of Tarsus, the jailer and his household, all were

baptized when they believed in Jesus Christ and repented of their

sins; and this as an ordinance connected with remission of their

sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost. What, then, should I do? Where

find one who was commissioned from heaven, and would administer

salvation to me? I could only go to the Baptists; but I lacked that

"_experience of religion_" which they always required. However,

I resolved to try.

I accordingly appeared before them at their monthly meeting, or

council, and requested to be baptized; they inquired into my

experience; I related to them my firm belief in Christ, and my wish

to serve God without being able to tell them of any particular

experience of religion. They finally consulted together; and came

to the conclusion that I had been converted, whether I knew it

myself or not, and a time was appointed for my baptism--a month or

two thence. Here I again realized the difference. In ancient times

persons were baptized immediately on profession of their faith; now

they were subjected to a delay of weeks or months.

At length the time arrived, and I was baptized by Mr. Scranton,

and duly initiated into the Baptist society; being about eighteen

years of age. I felt some satisfaction in obeying this one

ordinance; but still I was aware that all was not right,--that much

was wanting to constitute a Christian, or a Church of Christ.

I endeavored to pray much, and to attend meetings strictly; I

also endeavored to keep the commandments of Jesus as well as I

could.

Mr. Scranton came to the house where I boarded to preach at a

certain time, and I inquired of him what Jesus meant when he said,

"these signs shall follow them that believe." He replied, that it

meant these signs should follow the Apostles only.

This did not satisfy me; for it was plain and manifest

perversion of common sense and language easy to be understood. It

was as much as to say: Go ye into all the world and preach the

gospel to the Apostles; and the Apostles that believe and are

baptized shall be saved; and the Apostles that believe not shall be

damned; and these signs shall follow the Apostles that believe.

Thus, by logical consistency, confining the whole commission and

gospel to the Apostles, with all its benefits, by the same rule

that we would confine the promise of the signs following to them.

CHAPTER III.

------------------------

Reverses:--Loss of our Farm:--Strange

Resolve:--Travels West:--Forest Life:--Another New Farm.

Time passed; harvest came; a fine crop, but no market; and

consequently the payment came due on our land and there was no

means of payment.

The winter rolled round; spring came again; and with it a

prosecution on the part of Mr. Morgan for money due on land. The

consequence was that all our hard earnings, and all our

improvements in the wilderness, were wrested from us in a moment.

Mr. Morgan retained the land, the improvements and the money paid.

Weary and disconsolate, I left the country and my father, who

took charge of our crops and all unsettled business.

I spent a few months with my uncles, Ira and Allen Pratt, in

Wayne County, N. Y., and in the autumn of 1826 I resolved to bid

farewell to the civilized world--where I had met with little else

but disappointment, sorrow and unrewarded toil; and where sectarian

divisions disgusted and ignorance perplexed me--and to spend the

remainder of my days in the solitudes of the great West, among the

natives of the forest.

There, at least, thought I, there will be no buying and selling

of lands,--no law to sweep all the hard earnings of years to pay a

small debt,--no wranglings about sects, and creeds, and doctrines.

I will win the confidence of the red man; I will learn his

language; I will tell him of Jesus; I will read to him the

Scriptures; I will teach him the arts of peace; to hate war, to

love his neighbor, to fear and love God, and to cultivate the

earth. Such were my resolutions.

In October, 1826, I took leave of my friends and started

westward. I paid most of my money in Rochester for a small pocket

Bible, and continued my journey as far as Buffalo. At this place I

engaged a passage for Detroit, on board a steamer; as I had no

money, I agreed to work for the same.

After a rough passage and many delays, I was at length driven by

stress of weather to land at Erie, in Pennsylvania; from whence I

travelled by land till I came to a small settlement about thirty

miles west of Cleveland, in the State of Ohio. The rainy season of

November had now set in; the country was covered with a dense

forest, with here and there a small opening made by the settlers,

and the surface of the earth one vast scene of mud and mire; so

that travelling was now very difficult, if not impracticable.

Alone in a land of strangers, without home or money, and not yet

twenty years of age, I became discouraged, and concluded to stop

for the winter; I procured a gun from one of the neighbors; worked

and earned an axe, some breadstuff and other little extras, and

retired two miles into a dense forest and prepared a small hut, or

cabin, for the winter. Some leaves and straw in my cabin served for

my lodging, and a good fire kept me warm. A stream near my door

quenched my thirst; and fat venison, with a little bread from the

settlements, sustained me for food. The storms of winter raged

around me; the wind shook the forest, the wolf howled in the

distance, and the owl chimed in harshly to complete the doleful

music which seemed to soothe me, or bid me welcome to this holy

retreat. But in my little cabin the fire blazed pleasantly, and the

Holy Scriptures and a few other books occupied my hours of

solitude. Among the few books in my cabin, were McKenzie's travels

in the Northwest, and Lewis and Clark's tour up the Missouri and

down the Columbia rivers.

Spring came on again; the woods were pleasant, the flowers

bloomed in their richest variety, the birds sung pleasantly in the

groves; and, strange to say, my mind had become attached to my new

abode. I again bargained for a piece of forest land; again promised

to pay in a few years, and again commenced to clear a farm and

build a house.

I was now twenty years of age.

I resolved to make some improvements and preparations, and then

return to my native country, from which I had been absent several

years. There was one there whom my heart had long loved, and from

whom I would not have been so long separated, except by misfortune.

CHAPTER IV.

------------------------

Revisit Canaan, N. T.:--Interesting Meeting:--

Marriage:--Return to my Forest Home.

It was the Fourth of July, 1827. The morning was beautiful and

gay, the sun rose without a cloud over the pine-clad hills of my

native land, where in boyhood I had often toiled and sported, just

as I came within a mile of the farm of my good old aunt Van Cott,

of Canaan, Columbia County, after an absence of three years. I had,

during this time, exchanged the features of the bashful boy for

those of the man; and, instead of a laughing, careless countenance,

a forehead of marble and a cheek of rose, stern care had marked me

as her child, and the sun had given a shade of brown to my

features; these, added to a heavy growth of beard and whiskers,

disguised me so far that I could pass through the neighborhood of

people, known and familiar to me, unnoticed and unknown.

With a quick step, a beating heart, and an intense,

indescribable feeling of joy, sorrow, hope, despondency and

happiness, I approached the door of Mr. Halsey, and knocked; it was

opened by an aged female, a stranger to me; I entered and inquired

for Miss Thankful Halsey-in a moment more she had me by the hand,

with a look of welcome which showed she had not forgotten me.

I spent the day and evening with her; explained to her all my

losses, my poverty and prospects, and the lone retreat where I had

spent the previous winter; and the preparations I had made for a

future home. I also opened my religious views to her, and my

desire, which I sometimes had, to try and teach the red man.

"In view of all these things," said I to her, "If you still love

me and desire to share my fortune you are worthy to be my wife. If

not, we will agree to be friends forever; but part to meet no more

in time." "I have loved you during three years' absence," said she,

"and I never can be happy without you."

I repaired to my aunt's--found the usual welcome. After visiting

my mother and kindred, for a few days, I saw my old friend, William

S. Herrick, where I had been employed five years before. He was

very anxious to employ me again; and finding I was willing, he

discharged a hand he had already, and gave me double wages. I

remained in his employ till October, and found the same kind

reception as formerly.

On the 9th of September, 1827, Parley P. Pratt and Thankful

Halsey were solemnly united in the bonds of matrimony, by Elder

Palmer, Minister of the Baptist Church, in Canaan, Columbia County,

N. Y.

In October we took leave of our friends in Canaan and took

passage for the West. We hired a conveyance to Albany, and then

took passage for Buffalo on a canal boat; and from there on board a

schooner; passing up Lake Erie we landed in safety at the mouth of

Black River, in Ohio, and within ten miles of my place. My wife had

some money, which we paid in for the land I had purchased. The

following spring found me 21 years of age, married and settled in a

log dwelling, in the midst of a small clearing made with my own

hands, in the place where I had spent the previous winter in

solitude.

CHAPTER V.

------------------------

Our Home:--New Sect:--Progressive Religious

Views:--Unexpected Meeting:--Dialogue:--Forsake My

Home:--Journey to New York:--Public Ministry:--Strange

Book:--First Interview with a Latter-Day Saint.

Eighteen months had passed since our settlement in the

wilderness. The forest had been displaced by the labors of the

first settlers for some distance around our cottage. A small frame

house was now our dwelling, a garden and a beautiful meadow were

seen in front, flowers in rich profusion were clustering about our

door and windows; while in the background were seen a thriving

young orchard of apple and peach trees, and fields of grain

extending in the distance, beyond which the forest still stood tip

in its own primeval grandeur, as a wall to bound the vision and

guard the lovely scene. Other houses and farms were also in view,

and some twenty children were returning from the school actually

kept by my wife, upon the very spot where two years before I had

lived for months without seeing a human being. About this time one

Mr. Sidney Rigdon came into the neighborhood as a preacher, and it

was rumored that he was a kind of Reformed Baptist, who, with Mr.

Alexander Campbell, of Virginia, a Mr. Scott, and some other gifted

men, had dissented from the regular Baptists, from whom they

differed much in doctrine. At length I went to hear him, and what

was my astonishment when I found he preached faith in Jesus Christ,

repentance towards God, and baptism for remission of sins, with the

promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost to all who would come

forward, with all their hearts, and obey this doctrine!

Here was the _ancient gospel_ in due form. Here were the

very principles which I had discovered years before; but could find

no one to minister in. But still one great link was wanting to

complete the chain of the ancient order of things; and that was,

the _authority_ to minister in holy things--the apostleship,

the power which should accompany the form. This thought occurred to

me as soon as I heard Mr. Rigdon make proclamation of the gospel.

Peter proclaimed this gospel, and baptized for remission of

sins, and promised the gift of the Holy Ghost, because he was

commissioned so to do by a crucified and risen Saviour. But who is

Mr. Rigdon? Who is Mr. Campbell? Who commissioned them? Who

baptized them for remission of sins? Who ordained them to stand up

as Peter? Of course they were baptized by the Baptists, and

ordained by them, and yet they had now left them because they did

not administer the true gospel. And it was plain that the Baptists

could not claim the apostolic office by succession, in a regular,

unbroken chain from the Apostles of old, preserving the gospel in

its purity, and the ordinances unchanged, from the very fact that

they were now living in the perversion of some, and the entire

neglect of others of these ordinances; this being the very ground

of difference between the old Baptists and these Reformers.

Again, these Reformers claimed no new commission by revelation,

or vision from the Lord, while they had not the least shadow of

claim by succession.

It might be said, then, with propriety: "Peter I know, and Paul

I know, but who are ye?"

However, we were thankful for even the forms of truth, as none

could claim the power, and authority, and gifts of the Holy

Ghost--at least so far as we knew.

After hearing Mr. Rigdon several times, I came out, with a

number of others, and embraced the truths which he taught. We were

organized into a society, and frequently met for public worship.

About this time I took it upon me to impart to my neighbors,

from time to time, both in public and in private, the light I had

received from the Scriptures concerning the gospel, and also

concerning the fulfilment of the things spoken by the holy

prophets. I did not claim any authority as a minister; I felt the

lack in this respect; but I felt in duty bound to enlighten

mankind, so far as God had enlightened me.

At the commencement of 1830, I felt drawn out in an

extraordinary manner to search the prophets, and to pray for an

understanding of the same. My prayers were soon answered, even

beyond my expectations; the prophecies of the holy prophets were

opened to my view; I began to understand the things which were

coming on the earth the restoration of Israel, the coming of the

Messiah, and the glory that should follow. I was so astonished at

the darkness of myself and mankind on these subjects that I could

exclaim with the prophet: surely, "_darkness covers the earth,

and gross darkness the people_."

I was all swallowed up in these things. I felt constrained to

devote my time in enlightening my fellow men on these important

truths, and in warning them to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

My brother William, who journeyed to the West with me in my

seventeenth year, had now been missing to the family for five

years, and was supposed to be dead. About the time he disappeared

and was lost sight of, he was known to leave the city of New York,

where he had been employed, and to pass up the Hudson on a steamer.

He was heard of no more; and, as a notice appeared in the papers of

the same date that a young gentleman by the name of William Pratt

was drowned in the Hudson, on his way up the river, our parents and

the family had given him up for lost.

One morning, as I was absent from home on business, about two

miles distant, I heard of him; and that he was then residing about

ten miles from me. On hearing this I ran nearly the whole distance

on foot, and in about two hours had him by the hand. He was much

surprised, although he had heard of a man of my name living in the

neighborhood; but could not believe it was me. We had each of us

taken our chance amid the hardships and toils of a new country for

years, and at last found ourselves together about six hundred miles

from our starting point.

This was a joyful and unexpected meeting of two brothers. He

immediately accompanied me home, and was introduced to my wife and

our little farm in the wilderness, where we spent some days

together. He admired my wife; but above all my farm. "Brother

Parley," said he, "how have you done all this? When we were last

together you had no wife, no farm, no house, no orchard, and now

you are here with everything smiling around you." I replied that

hard work had accomplished it all. And, continued I, we are now

about to leave this quiet home which we have toiled so hard to

make, and perhaps, never see it again. "How so?" said he, with much

surprise, and somewhat of disappointment. I then unfolded to him

the gospel and prophecies as they had been opened to me, and told

him that the spirit of these things had wrought so powerfully on my

mind of late that I could not rest; that I could no longer be

contented to dwell in quiet and retirement on my farm, while I had

light to impart to mankind, of which I knew they were in a great

measure ignorant. "But," said he, "if I had fifty acres of land, a

comfortable house, a fine orchard, a beautiful garden, with meadow

land, grain, and above all, such beautiful flowers and so valuable

a housekeeper as you have, and all these things the work of our own

hands, I am sure I would stay and enjoy the same while I lived; and

the world might go on its own jog, and its own way, for all me.

Besides, how are you to get your living? This is your all; you have

toiled for years to obtain it, and why not now continue to enjoy

it?" "William," said I, "I see plainly you know but little of my

circumstances if the changes which have taken place with me since

we parted five years ago, nor how vastly wealthy I have become

within that time. Why, sir, I have bank bills enough, on the very

best institutions in the world, to sustain myself and family while

we live."

"Indeed," said he, "well, I should like to see some of them; I

hope they are genuine." "Certainly," I replied, "there is no doubt

of that. They are true bills and founded on capital that will never

fail, though heaven and earth should pass away. Of this I will

convince you in a moment."

I then unlocked my treasury and drew from thence a large pocket

book, fall of promissory notes like the following: _"Whoever

shall forsake father or mother, brethren or sisters, houses or

lands, wife or children, for my sake and the gospel's, shall

receive an hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come lie

everlasting." "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, you

shall ask what you will in my name and I will give it you." "All

things are possible to him that believeth."_

"Now, William," said I, "are these the words of Jesus Christ, or

are they not?" "They certainly are," said he, "I always believed

the New Testament."

"Then you admit they are genuine bills?"

"I do."

"Is the signer able to meet his engagements?"

"He certainly is."

"Is he willing?"

"He is."

"Well, then, I am going to fulfil the conditions to the letter

on my part. I feel called upon by the Holy Ghost to forsake my

house and home for the gospel's sake; and I will do it, placing

both feet firm on these promises with nothing else to rely upon."

"If I sink, they are false."

"If I am sustained, they are true. I will put them to the test.

Experiment shall now establish the truth of Christ's promises, or

the truth of infidelity."

"Well," said he, "try it, if you will; but, for my part,

although I always believed the Bible, I would not dare believe it

_literally_, and really stand upon its promises, with no

other prop."

We parted. He to his business, I to my preparations for a

mission which should only end with my life.

In August, 1830, I had closed my business, completed my

arrangements, and we bid adieu to our wilderness home and never saw

it afterwards.

On settling up, at a great sacrifice of property, we had about

ten dollars left in cash. With this small sum, we launched forth

into the wide world, determining first to visit our native place,

on our mission, and then such other places as I might be led to by

the Holy Spirit.

We made our way to Cleveland, 30 miles. We then took passage on

a schooner for Buffalo, a distance of 200 miles. We had a fair

wind, and the captain, being short of hands, gave me the helm, the

sails being all set, and turned in. I steered the vessel the most

of the day, with no other person on deck. Of course, our passage

cost us little besides my labor. Landing in Buffalo, we engaged our

passage for Albany on a canal boat, distance 360 miles. This,

including board, cost all our money and some articles of clothing.

Arriving at Rochester, I informed my wife that, notwithstanding

our passage being paid through the whole distance, yet I must leave

the boat and her to pursue her passage to our friends; while I

would stop awhile in this region. Why, I did not know; but so it

was plainly manifest by the Spirit to me. I said to her, "We part

for a season; go and visit our friends in our native place; I will

come soon, but how soon I know not; for I have a work to do in this

region of country, and what it is, or how long it will take to

perform it, I know not; but I will come when it is performed."

My wife would have objected to this; but she had seen the hand

of God so plainly manifest in His dealings with me many times, that

she dare not oppose the things manifest to me by His spirit.

She, therefore, consented; and I accompanied her as far as

Newark, a small town upwards of 100 miles from Buffalo, and then

took leave of her, and of the boat.

It was early in the morning, just at the dawn of day, I walked

ten miles into the country, and stopped to breakfast with a Mr.

Wells. I proposed to preach in the evening. Mr. Wells readily

accompanied me through the neighborhood to visit the people, and

circulate the appointment.

We visited an old Baptist deacon by the name of Hamlin. After

hearing of our appointment for evening, he began to tell of a

_book_, a STRANGE BOOK, a _VERY STRANGE BOOK_! in his possession,

which had been just published. This book, he said, purported

to have been originally written on plates either of gold

or brass, by a branch of the tribes of Israel; and to have been

discovered and translated by a young man near Palmyra, in the State

of New York, by the aid of visions, or the ministry of angels. I

inquired of him how or where the book was to be obtained. He

promised me the perusal of it, at his house the next day, if I

would call. I felt a strange interest in the book. I preached that

evening to a small audience, who appeared to be interested in the

truths which I endeavored to unfold to them in a clear and lucid

manner from the Scriptures. Next morning I called at his house,

where, for the first time, my eyes beheld the "BOOK OF MORMON"--

that book of books--that record which reveals the antiquities of

the "_New World_" back to the remotest ages, and which unfolds the

destiny of its people and the world for all time to come;--that

Book which contains the fulness of the gospel of a crucified and

risen Redeemer;--that Book which reveals a lost remnant of Joseph,

and which was the principal means, in the hands of God, of

directing the entire course of my future life.

I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read

the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its

being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by

course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for

food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred

reading to sleep.

As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and

comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a

man comprehends and knows that he exists. My joy was now full, as

it were, and I rejoiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all

the sorrows, sacrifices and toils of my life. I soon determined to

see the young man who had been the instrument of its discovery and

translation.

I accordingly visited the village of Palmyra, and inquired for

the residence of Mr. Joseph Smith. I found it some two or three

miles from the village. As I approached the house at the close of

the day I overtook a man who was driving some cows, and inquired of

him for Mr. Joseph Smith, the translator of the "_Book of Mormon

_." He informed me that he now resided in Pennsylvania; some

one hundred miles distant. I inquired for his father, or for any of

the family. He told me that his father had gone a journey; but that

his residence was a small house just before me; and, said he, I am

his brother. It was Mr. Hyrum Smith. I informed him of the interest

I felt in the Book, and of my desire to learn more about it. He

welcomed me to his house, and we spent the night together; for

neither of us felt disposed to sleep. We conversed most of the

night, during which I unfolded to him much of my experience in my

search after truth, and my success so far; together with that which

I felt was lacking, viz: a commissioned priesthood, or apostleship

to minister in the ordinances of God.

He also unfolded to me the particulars of the discovery of the

Book; its translation; the rise of the Church of Latter-day Saints,

and the commission of his brother Joseph, and others, by revelation

and the ministering of angels, by which the apostleship and

authority had been again restored to the earth. After duly weighing

the whole matter in my mind I saw clearly that these things were

true; and that myself and the whole world were without baptism, and

without the ministry and ordinances of God; and that the whole

world had been in this condition since the days that inspiration

and revelation had ceased--in short, that this was a _new

dispensation or commission_, in fulfillment of prophecy, and

for the restoration of Israel, and to prepare the way before the

second coming of the Lord.

In the morning I was compelled to take leave of this worthy man

and his family--as I had to hasten back a distance of thirty miles,

on foot, to fulfil an appointment in the evening. As we parted he

kindly presented me with a copy of the Book of Mormon. I had not

yet completed its perusal, and was glad indeed to possess a copy of

my own. I travelled on a few miles, and, stopping to rest, I

commenced again to read the book. To my great joy I found that

Jesus Christ, in his glorified resurrected body, had appeared to

the remnant of Joseph on the continent of America, soon after his

resurrection and ascension into heaven; and that he also

administered, in person, to the ten lost tribes; and that through

his personal ministry in these countries his gospel was revealed

and written in countries and among nations entirely unknown to the

Jewish apostles.

Thus revealed, written, handed down and preserved, till revealed

in this age by the angels of God, it had, of course, escaped the

corruptions of the great and abominable church; and been preserved

in purity.

This discovery greatly enlarged my heart, and filled my soul

with joy and gladness. I esteemed the Book, or the information

contained in it, more than all the riches of the world. Yes; I

verily believe that I would not at that time have exchanged the

knowledge I then possessed, for a legal title to all the beautiful

farms, houses, villages and property which passed in review before

me, on my journey through one of the most flourishing settlements

of western New York.

Surely, thought I, Jesus had _other sheep_, as he said to

his Apostles of old; and here they were, in the wilderness of the

world called new. And they heard the voice of the Good Shepherd of

Israel; and he brought them to his fold. Truly, thought I, he was

not sent (in person) save to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,

as he told the woman of Canaan; and here were a portion of them.

Truly, thought I, the angels sung with the spirit and with the

understanding when they declared: "_We bring you glad tidings of

great joy, which shall be to_ ALL PEOPLE."

In his mortal tabernacle he confined his ministry and that of

his Apostles to the land of Judea; but afterwards, released from

the bonds of mortal life, or rather death, and clothed with an

immortal body, and with organs strong and lasting as the immortal

mind, he possessed all power in heaven and on earth; he was then

enabled to extend his ministry to heaven, earth or hell. He could

take the wings of the morning, and, with the speed of light, make

his way to the Heaven of Heavens; and converse and counsel among

the sons of God; or receive counsel from his Father in Heaven; or,

leaving again the starry worlds, he could descend to the dark and

gloomy abodes of the spirits in prison and preach to them the

gospel--bursting off their shackles and unlocking their prison

doors; while these once dark abodes were now brilliant with light,

and, instead of prison groans, were heard joyful acclamations of

deliverance to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them

that are bound; or coming again to visit the earth, he could soar

away beyond the waves and tempests, which had before set bounds to

the geographical knowledge of man, and stood up as an impregnable

barrier to the intercourse of nations; and there, in other tribes

and tongues, make known the riches of his grace, and his _triumph

_ over death.

And when ages had passed, and nations slumbered in the

dust--when cruelty and bloodshed had blotted almost every trace of

priesthood and apostleship from the earth; when saints had been

worn out and overcome times, laws and ordinances changed; the Bible

itself robbed of its plainness; and all things darkened and

corrupted; a pure and faithful record of his ministry to other

nations is forthcoming from among the archives of the dead, to

reveal the "_mystery of iniquity_;" to speak, as with a voice of

thunder, in rebuking the evil and revealing the fullness of the

gospel. Such was the Book of Mormon--much its effect upon the

startling nations.

CHAPTER VI.

------------------------

Interesting Meetings:--Second Interview with Hyrum Smith:--Visit

to the Church in Seneca County:--Baptism, Confirmation and

Ordination:--Ministry Among my Kindred:--Baptism of my Brother

Orson:--Wonderful Sign in the Heavens:--Return to Western New

York:--First Interview with Joseph Smith:--Description of his Person

and Abilities.

Having rested awhile and perused this sacred book by the

roadside, I again walked on.

In the evening I arrived in time to fill my appointment. I met a

crowded house, and laid before them many interesting truths, which

were listened to with deep interest.

The next evening I had another appointment, and the people came

out in great numbers, and were filled with the spirit of interest

and inquiry.

They urged me very much to continue my discourses among them;

but I felt to minister no more till I had attended to some

important duties for myself. I had now found men on earth

commissioned to preach, baptize, ordain to the ministry, etc., and

I determined to obey the fullness of the gospel without delay. I

should have done so at the first interview with Elder Hyrum Smith;

but these two appointments were already out, and thirty miles'

travel required all the time I had.

I now returned immediately to Hyrum Smith's residence, and

demanded baptism at his hands. I tarried with him one night, and

the next day we walked some twenty-five miles to the residence of

Mr. Whitmer, in Seneca County. Here we arrived in the evening, and

found a most welcome reception.

This was the family, several of whose names were attached to the

Book of Mormon as witnesses--Mr. Joseph Smith having translated

much of the book in Whitmer's chamber.

I found the little branch of the Church in this place full of

joy, faith, humility and charity. We rested that night, and on the

next day, being about the 1st of September, 1830, I was baptized by

the hand of an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ, by the name

of Oliver Cowdery. This took place in Seneca Lake, a beautiful and

transparent sheet of water in Western New York.

A meeting was held the same evening, and after singing a hymn

and prayer, Elder Cowdery and others proceeded to lay their hands

upon my head in the name of Jesus, for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

After which I was ordained to the office of an Elder in the Church,

which included authority to preach, baptize, and minister the

sacrament, administer the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of hands in

the name of Jesus Christ and to take the lead of meetings of

worship.

I now felt that I had authority in the ministry.

On the next Sabbath I preached to a large concourse of people,

assembled at the house of a Mr. Burroughs. The Holy Ghost came upon

me mightily. I spoke the word of God with power, reasoning out of

the Scriptures and the Book of Mormon. The people were convinced,

overwhelmed in tears, and four heads of families came forward

expressing their faith, and were baptized.

My work was now completed, for which I took leave of my wife and

the canal boat some two or three weeks previous.

I now took leave of the little branch of the church with which I

had been associated, and pursued my journey to the land of my

fathers and of my boyhood.

I found my wife in health and spirits, enjoying herself with her

friends. I also found my father and mother, friends and kindred,

and, among others, my good old aunt and cousins, at the old

homestead, where I always found a welcome reception.

This was a pleasant and retired mountain valley, consisting of a

beautiful farm and a small and convenient house, out-buildings,

orchard, meadow, etc., encircled on the south, west and north with

a curve of hills, consisting of farming lands and pasture, and

their summits and bosoms partially clothed with a beautiful forest

of pine and chestnut; while the scene opened to the southeast in a

descending landscape to a beautiful vale of some miles in extent,

filled with flourishing farms and dwellings, and watered by a

winding stream; while far beyond stretched other hills and

pine-clad mountains, and the spire of a church and a small town

were seen nestling among the hills at two miles distance.

This was the residence of my aunt Van Cott, and the place where

I had spent some of the happiest seasons of my youth. My aunt had

three children--an only son, and two daughters. These were now in

the bloom of early youth, and were fast advancing to a state of

maturity. Her husband had died at an early day, after an illness of

seven years; and here lived the widow and orphans, surrounded with

peace and plenty, blooming with health, and smiling with innocence

and joy. Retired from the throng of busy, boisterous life, and

strangers to most of its woes, ills and corruptions, the stranger

who happened there was welcome; the hungry were fed, the naked were

clothed, and, above all, the kindred found a hearty reception. In

short, it was a spot, in all respects, adapted to retirement and

contemplation, where the poet and the novelist would find a

thousand things to please the imagination, and to swell their

favorite volumes.

In this visit to my native place, there was one family greatly

missed by me. I felt keenly the disappointment at not seeing

them--that of my old employer, Wm. S. Herrick. He had moved to the

West, and his house was occupied by strangers.

I now commenced my labors in good earnest. I addressed crowded

audiences almost every day, and the people, who had known me from a

child, seemed astonished--knowing that I had had but little

opportunity of acquiring knowledge by study; and while many were

interested in the truth, some began to be filled with envy, and

with a lying, persecuting spirit. My father, mother, aunt Van Cott,

and many others, believed the truth in part; but my brother Orson,

a youth of nineteen years, received it with all his heart, and was

baptized at that time, and has ever since spent his days in the

ministry.

It was during my labors in these parts, in the autumn of 1830,

that a very singular and extraordinary sign was shown in the

heavens, which I will here describe.

I had been on a visit to a singular people called Shakers, at

New Lebanon, about seven miles from my aunt Van Cott's, and was

returning that distance, on foot, on a beautiful evening of

September. The sky was without a cloud; the stars shone out

beautifully, and all nature seemed reposing in quiet, as I pursued

my solitary way, wrapt in deep meditations on the predictions of

the holy prophets; the signs of the times; the approaching advent

of the Messiah, to reign on the earth, and the important

revelations of the Book of Mormon; my heart filled with gratitude

to God that He had opened the eyes of my understanding to receive

the truth, and with sorrow for the blindness of those who lightly

rejected the same, when my attention was aroused by a sudden

appearance of a brilliant light which shone around me, above the

brightness of the sun. I cast my eyes upward to inquire from whence

the light came, when I perceived a long chain of light extended in

the heavens, very bright, and a deep fiery red. It at first stood

stationary in a horizontal position; at length bending in the

center, the two ends approached each other with a rapid movement,

so as to form an exact square. In this position it again remained

stationary for some tame, perhaps a minute, and then again the ends

approached each other with the same rapidity, and again ceased to

move, remaining stationary, for perhaps a minute, in the form of a

compass; it then commenced a third movement in the same manner, and

closed like the closing of a compass, the whole forming a straight

line like a chain doubled. It again retained stationary for a

minute, and then faded away.

I fell upon my knees in the street, and thanked the Lord for so

marvelous a sign of the coming of the Son of Man.

Some persons may smile at this, and say that all these exact

movements were by chance; but, for my part, I could as soon believe

that the letters of the alphabet would be formed by chance, and be

placed so as to spell my name, as to believe that these signs

(known only to the wise) could be formed and shown forth by chance.

Renewed in spirit and filled with joy I now pursued my way, and

arrived at my aunt Van Cott's, not weary, but refreshed with a long

walk, and deep communion with myself and God.

Having lifted a warning voice to multitudes in all this region

of country, I now took leave, and repaired again to the western

part of New York, and to the body of the Church.

On our arrival, we found that brother Joseph Smith, the

translator of the Book of Mormon, had returned from Pennsylvania to

his father's residence in Manchester, near Palmyra, and there I had

the pleasure of seeing him for the first time.

He received me with a hearty welcome, and with that frank and

kind manner so universal with him in after years.

On Sunday we held meeting at his house; the two large rooms were

filled with attentive listeners, and he invited me to preach. I did

so, and afterwards listened with interest to a discourse from his

own mouth, filled with intelligence and wisdom. We repaired from

the meeting to the water's edge, and, at his request, I baptized

several persons.

President Joseph Smith was in person tall and well built, strong

and active, of a light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, very

little beard, and of an expression peculiar to himself, on which

the eye naturally rested with interest, and was never weary of

beholding. His countenance was ever mild, affable, beaming with

intelligence and benevolence; mingled with a look of interest and

an unconscious smile, or cheerfulness, and entirely free from all

restraint or affectation of gravity; and there was something

connected with the serene and steady penetrating glance of his eye,

as if he would penetrate the deepest abyss of the human heart, gaze

into eternity, penetrate the heavens, and comprehend all worlds.

He possessed a noble boldness and independence of character; his

manner was easy and familiar; his rebuke terrible as the lion; his

benevolence unbounded as the ocean; his intelligence universal, and

his language abounding in original eloquence peculiar to

himself--not polished--not studied--not smoothed and softened by

education and refined by art; but flowing forth in its own native

simplicity, and profusely abounding in variety of subject and

manner. He interested and edified, while, at the same time, he

amused and entertained his audience; and none listened to him that

were ever weary with his discourse. I have even known him to retain

a congregation of willing and anxious listeners for many hours

together, in the midst of cold or sunshine, rain or wind, while

they were laughing at one moment and weeping the next. Even his

most bitter enemies were generally overcome, if he could once get

their ears.

I have known him when chained and surrounded with armed

murderers and assassins who were heaping upon him every possible

insult and abuse, rise up in the majesty of a son of God and rebuke

them, in the name of Jesus Christ, till they quailed before him,

dropped their weapons, and, on their knees, begged his pardon, and

ceased their abuse.

In short, in him the characters of a Daniel and a Cyrus were

wonderfully blended. The gifts, wisdom and devotion of a Daniel

were united with the boldness, courage, temperance, perseverance

and generosity of a Cyrus. And had he been spared a martyr's fate

till mature manhood and age, he was certainly endued with powers

and ability to have revolutionized the world in many respects, and

to have transmitted to posterity a name associated with more

brilliant and glorious acts than has yet fallen to the lot of

mortal. As it is, his works will live to endless ages, and

unnumbered millions yet unborn will mention his name with honor, as

a noble instrument in the hands of God, who, during his short and

youthful career, laid the foundation of that kingdom spoken of by

Daniel, the prophet, which should break in pieces all other

kingdoms and stand forever.

But I will not forestall the reader. I have yet to speak of him

in my history, under many and varying circumstances, in which I

have necessarily been associated with him, up to the latest year of

his life.

CHAPTER VII.

------------------------

Mission to the Western States:--Visit to the

Indians:--Wonderful Success in Kirtland, Ohio:--Journey

Westward:--Great Excitement and Anxiety to Hear the

Fulness of the Gospel:--Imprisonment:--Mock Trial:--

Escape:--Preaching:--Success:--Visit the Wyandots:--

Journey Resumed:--Great Hardships:--Arrival on the Frontiers

of Missouri.

It was now October, 1830. A revelation had been given through

the mouth of this Prophet, Seer and Translator, in which Elders

Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer, Ziba Peterson and myself were

appointed to go into the wilderness, through the western States,

and to the Indian territory. Making arrangements for my wife in the

family of the Whitmers, we took leave of our friends and the church

late in October, and started on foot.

After travelling for some days we called on an Indian nation at

or near Buffalo; and spent part of a day with them, instructing

them in the knowledge of the record of their forefathers. We were

kindly received, and much interest was manifested by them on

hearing this news. We made a present of two copies of the Book of

Mormon to certain of them who could read, and repaired to Buffalo.

Thence we continued our journey, for about two hundred miles, and

at length called on Mr. Rigdon, my former friend and instructor, in

the Reformed Baptists Society. He received us cordially and

entertained us with hospitality.

We soon presented him with a Book of Mormon, and related to him

the history of the same. He was much interested, and promised a

thorough perusal of the book.

We tarried in this region for some time, and devoted our time to

the ministry, and visiting from house to house.

At length Mr. Rigdon and many others became convinced that they

had no authority to minister in the ordinances of God; and that

they had not been legally baptized and ordained. They, therefore,

came forward and were baptized by us, and received the gift of the

Holy Ghost by laying on of hands, and prayer in the name of Jesus

Christ.

The news of our coming was soon noised abroad, and the news of

the discovery of the Book of Mormon and the marvelous events

connected with it. The interest and excitement now became general

in Kirtland, and in all the region round about. The people thronged

us night and day, insomuch that we had no time for rest and

retirement. Meetings were convened in different neighborhoods, and

multitudes came together soliciting our attendance; while thousands

flocked about us daily; some to be taught, some for curiosity, some

to obey the gospel, and some to dispute or resist it.

In two or three weeks from arrival in the neighborhood with the

news, we had baptized one hundred and twenty-seven souls, and this

number soon increased to one thousand. The disciples were filled

with joy and gladness; while rage and lying was abundantly

manifested by gainsayers; faith was strong, joy was great, and

persecution heavy.

We proceeded to ordain Sidney Rigdon, Isaac Morley, John

Murdock, Lyman Wight, Edward Partridge and many others to the

ministry; and, leaving them to take care of the churches and to

minister the gospel, we took leave of the saints and continued our

journey.

Fifty miles west of Kirtland, we had occasion to pass through

the neighborhood where I first settled in the wilderness, after my

marriage. We found the people all excited with the news of the

great work we had been the humble instruments of doing in Kirtland

and vicinity. Some wished to learn and obey the fullness of the

gospel--were ready to entertain us and hear us preach. Others were

filled with envy, rage and lying.

We had stopped for the night at the house of Simeon Carter, by

whom we were kindly received, and were in the act of reading to him

and explaining the Book of Mormon, when there came a knock at the

door, and an officer entered with a warrant from a magistrate by

the name of Byington, to arrest me on a very frivolous charge. I

dropped the Book of Mormon in Carter's house, and went with him

some two miles, in a dark, muddy road; one of the brethren

accompanied me. We arrived at the place of trial late in the

evening; found false witnesses in attendance, and a Judge who

boasted of his intention to thrust us into prison, for the purpose

of testing the powers of our apostleship, as he called it; although

I was only an Elder in the Church. The Judge boasting thus, and the

witnesses being entirely false in their testimony, concluded to

make no defense, but to treat the whole matter with contempt.

I was soon ordered to prison, or to pay a sum of money which I

had not in the world. It was now a late hour, and I was still

retained in court, tantalized, abused and urged to settle the

matter, to all of which I made no reply for some time. This greatly

exhausted their patience. It was near midnight. I now called on

brother Petersen to sing a hymn in the court. We sung, "O how happy

are they." This exasperated them still more, and they pressed us

greatly to settle the business, by paying the money.

I then observed as follows: "May it please the court, I have one

proposal to make for a final settlement of the things that seem to

trouble you. It is this: if the witnesses who have given testimony

in the case will repent of their false swearing, and the magistrate

of his unjust and wicked judgment and of his persecution,

blackguardism and abuse, and all kneel down together, we will pray

for you, that God might forgive you in these matters."

"My big bull dog pray for me," says that Judge.

"The devil help us," exclaimed another.

They now urged me for some time to pay the money; but got no

further answer.

The court adjourned, and I was conducted to a public house over

the way, and locked in till morning; the prison being some miles

distant.

In the morning the officer appeared and took me to breakfast;

this over, we sat waiting in the inn for all things to be ready to

conduct me to prison. In the meantime my fellow travellers came

past on their journey, and called to see me. I told them in an

undertone to pursue their journey and leave me to manage my own

affairs, promising to overtake them soon. They did so. After

sitting awhile by the fire in charge of the officer, I requested to

step out. I walked out into the public square accompanied by him.

Said I, "Mr. Peabody, are you good at a race?" "No," said he, "but

my big bull dog is, and he has been trained to assist me in my

office these several years; he will take any man down at my

bidding. Well, Mr. Peabody, you compelled me to go a mile, I have

gone with you two miles. You have given me an opportunity to

preach, sing, and have also entertained me with lodging and

breakfast. I must now go on my journey; if you are good at a race

you can accompany me. I thank you for all your kindness--good day,

sir."

I then started on my journey, while he stood amazed and not able

to step one foot before the other. Seeing this, I halted, turned to

him and again invited him to a race. He still stood amazed. I then

renewed my exertions, and soon increased my speed to something like

that of a deer. He did not awake from his astonishment sufficiently

to start in pursuit till I had gained, perhaps, two hundred yards.

I had already leaped a fence, and was making my way through a field

to the forest on the right of the road. He now came hallowing after

me, and shouting to his dog to seize me. The dog, being one of the

largest I ever saw, came close on my footsteps with all his fury;

the officer behind still in pursuit, clapping his hands and

hallooing, "stu-boy, stu-boy--take him--watch--lay hold of him, I

say--down with him," and pointing his finger in the direction I was

running. The dog was fast overtaking me, and in the act of leaping

upon me, when, quick as lightning, the thought struck me, to assist

the officer, in sending the dog with all fury to the forest a

little distance before me. I pointed my finger in that direction,

clapped my hands, and shouted in imitation of the officer. The dog

hastened past me with redoubled speed towards the forest; being

urged by the officer and myself, and both of us running in the same

direction.

Gaining the forest, I soon lost sight of the officer and dog,

and have not seen them since. I took a back course, crossed the

road, took round into the wilderness, on the left, and made the

road again in time to cross a bridge over Vermilion River, where I

was hailed by half a dozen men, who had been anxiously waiting our

arrival to that part of the country, and who urged me very

earnestly to stop and preach. I told them that I could not then do

it, for an officer was on my track. I passed on six miles further,

through mud and rain, and overtook the brethren, and preached the

same evening to a crowded audience, among whom we were well

entertained.

The Book of Mormon, which I dropped at the house of Simeon

Carter, when taken by the officer, was by these circumstances left

with him. He read it with attention. It wrought deeply upon his

mind, and he went fifty miles to the church we had left in

Kirtland, and was there baptized and ordained an Elder. He then

returned to his home and commenced to preach and baptize. A church

of about sixty members was soon organized in the place where I had

played such a trick of deception on the dog.

We now pursued our journey for some days, and at length arrived

in Sandusky, in the western part of Ohio. Here resided a tribe, or

nation of Indians, called Wyandots, on whom we called, and with

whom we spent several days. We were well received, and had an

opportunity of laying before them the record of their forefathers,

which we did. They rejoiced in the tidings, bid us God speed, and

desired us to write to them in relation to our success among the

tribes further west, who had already removed to the Indian

territory, where these expected soon to go.

Taking an affectionate leave of this people, we continued our

journey to Cincinnati. In this city we spent several days, and

preached to many of the people, but without much success. About the

20th of December we took passage on a steamer for St. Louis. In a

few days we arrived at the mouth of the Ohio, and finding the river

blocked with ice, the boat did not proceed further. We therefore

landed and pursued our journey on foot for two hundred miles, to

the neighborhood of St. Louis.

We halted for a few days in Illinois, about twenty miles from

St. Louis, on account of a dreadful storm of rain and snow, which

lasted for a week or more, during which the snow fell in some

places near three feet deep. Although in the midst of strangers, we

were kindly entertained, found many friends, and preached to large

congregations in several neighborhoods.

In the beginning of 1831 we renewed our journey; and, passing

through St. Louis and St. Charles, we travelled on foot for three

hundred miles through vast prairies and through trackless wilds of

snow--no beaten road; houses few and far between; and the bleak

northwest wind always blowing in our faces with a keenness which

would almost take the skin off the face. We travelled for whole

days, from morning till night, without a house or fire, wading in

snow to the knees at every step, and the cold so intense that the

snow did not melt on the south side of the houses, even in the

mid-day sun, for nearly six weeks. We carried on our backs our

changes of clothing, several books, and corn bread and raw pork. We

often ate our frozen bread and pork by the way, when the bread

would be so frozen that we could not bite or penetrate any part of

it but the outside crust.

After much fatigue and some suffering we all arrived in

Independence, in the county of Jackson, on the extreme western

frontiers of Missouri, and of the United States.

This was about fifteen hundred miles from where we started, and

we had performed most of the journey on foot, through a wilderness

country, in the worst season of the year, occupying about four

months, during which we had preached the gospel to tens of

thousands of Gentiles and two nations of Indians; baptizing,

confirming and organizing many hundreds of people into churches of

Latter-day Saints.

This was the first mission performed by the Elders of the Church

in any of the States west of New York, and we were the first

members of the same which were ever on this frontier.

Chapter VIII.

------------------------

Visit the Delawares of Kansas:--Interview

with the Chief and Council:--Speech and Reply:--Great

Excitement:--Opposition from Missionaries:--Compelled to

Leave the Indian Country:--Ministry in Jackson County:--Council

in Independence:--Return Eastward:--Disguise:--Hospitality

of a Family of the Saints:--Dialogue:--Sickness:--Reunion

with President Joseph Smith:--Mission to the Shakers:--Ministry

Among the Churches:--False Spirits:--Inquire of the Lord:--Mode

of Receiving Revelations.

Two of our number now commenced work as tailors in the village

of Independence, while the others crossed the frontier line and

commenced a mission among the Lamanites, or Indians.

Passing through the tribe of Shawnees we tarried one night with

them, and the next day crossed the Kansas river and entered among

the Delawares. We immediately inquired for the residence of the

principal Chief, and were soon introduced to an aged and venerable

looking man, who had long stood at the head of the Delawares, and

been looked up to as the Great Grandfather, or Sachem of ten

nations or tribes.

He was seated on a sofa of furs, skins and blankets, before a

fire in the centre of his lodge; which was a comfortable cabin,

consisting of two large rooms.

His wives were neatly dressed, partly in calicoes and partly in

skins; and wore a vast amount of silver ornaments. As we entered

his cabin he took us by the hand with a hearty welcome, and then

motioned us to be seated on a pleasant seat of blankets, or robes.

His wives, at his bidding, set before us a tin pan full of beans

and corn boiled tip together, which proved to be good eating;

although three of us made use alternately of the same wooden spoon.

There was an interpreter present and through him we commenced to

make known our errand, and to tell him of the Book of Mormon. We

asked him to call the council his nation together and give us a

hearing in full. He promised to consider on it till next day, in

the meantime recommending us to a certain Mr. Pool for entertainment;

this was their blacksmith, employed by government.

The man entertained us kindly and comfortably. Next morning we

again called on Mr. Anderson, the old chief, and explained to him

something of the Book. He was at first unwilling to call his

council; made several excuses, and finally refused; as he had ever

been opposed to the introduction of missionaries among his tribe.

We continued the conversation a little longer, till he at last

began to understand the nature of the Book. He then changed his

mind; became suddenly interested, and requested us to proceed no

further with our conversation till he could call a council. He

despatched a messenger, and in about an hour had some forty men

collected around us in his lodge, who, after shaking us by the

hand, were seated in silence; and in a grave and dignified manner

awaited the announcement of what we had to offer. The chief then

requested us to proceed; or rather, begin where we began before,

and to complete our communication. Elder Cowdery then commenced as

follows:

"Aged Chief and Venerable Council of the Delaware nation; we are

glad of this opportunity to address you as our red brethren and

friends. We have travelled a long distance from towards the rising

sun to bring you glad news; we have travelled the wilderness,

crossed the deep and wide rivers, and waded in the deep snows, and

in the face of the storms of winter, to communicate to you great

knowledge which has lately come to our ears and hearts; and which

will do the red man good as well as the pale face.

"Once the red men were many; they occupied the country from sea

to sea--from the rising to the setting sun; the whole land was

theirs; the Great Spirit gave it to them, and no pale faces dwelt

among them. But now they are few in numbers; their possessions are

small, and the pale faces are many.

"Thousands of moons ago, when the red men's forefathers dwelt in

peace and possessed this whole land, the Great Spirit talked with

them, and revealed His law and His will, and much knowledge to

their wise men and prophets. This they wrote in a Book; together

with their history, and the things which should befall their

children in the latter days.

"This Book was written on plates of gold, and handed down from

father to son for many ages and generations. It was then that the

people prospered, and were strong and mighty; they cultivated the

earth; built buildings and cities, and abounded in all good things,

as the pale faces now do.

"But they became wicked; they killed one another and shed much

blood; they killed their prophets and wise men, and sought to

destroy the Book. The Great Spirit became angry, and would speak to

them no more; they had no more good and wise dreams; no more

visions; no more angels sent among them by the Great Spirit; and

the Lord commanded Mormon and Moroni, their last wise men and

prophets, to hide the Book in the earth, that it might be preserved

in safety, and be found and made known in the latter day to the

pale faces who should possess the land; that they might again make

it known to the red man; in order to restore them to the knowledge

of the will of the Great Spirit and to His favor. And if the red

man would then receive this Book and learn the things written in

it, and do according thereunto, they should cease to fight and kill

one another; should become one people; cultivate the earth in

peace, in common with the pale faces, who were willing to believe

and obey the same Book, and be good men and live in peace.

"Then should the red men become great, and have plenty to eat

and good clothes to wear, and should be in favor with the Great

Spirit and be his children, while he would be their Great Father,

and talk with them, and raise up prophets and wise and good men

amongst them again, who should teach them many things.

"This Book, which contained these things, was hid in the earth

by Moroni, in a hill called by him, Cumorah, which hill is now in

the State of New York, near the village of Palmyra, in Ontario

County.

"In that neighborhood there lived a young man named Joseph

Smith, who prayed to the Great Spirit much, in order that he might

know the truth; and the Great Spirit sent an angel to him, and told

him where this Book was hid by Moroni; and commanded him to go and

get it. He accordingly went to the place, and dug in the earth, and

found the Book written on golden plates.

"But it was written in the language of the forefathers of the

red man; therefore this young man, being a pale face, could not

understand it; but the angel told him and showed him, and gave him

knowledge of the language, and how to interpret the Book. So he

interpreted it into the language of the pale faces, and wrote it on

paper, and caused it to be printed, and published thousands of

copies of among them; and then sent us to the red men to bring some

copies of it to them, and to tell them this news. So we have now

come from him, and here is a copy of the Book, which we now present

to our red friend, the chief of the Delawares, and which we hope he

will cause to be read and known among his tribe; it will do them

good."

We then presented him with a Book of Mormon.

There was a pause in the council, and some conversation in their

own tongue, after which the chief made the following reply: "We

feel truly thankful to our white friends who have come so far, and

been at such pains to tell us good news, and especially this new

news concerning the Book of our forefathers; it makes us glad in

here"--placing his hand on his heart.

"It is now winter, we are new settlers in this place; the snow

is deep, our cattle and horses are dying, our wigwams are poor; we

have much to do in the spring--to build houses, and fence and make

farms; but we will build a council house, and meet together, and

you shall read to us and teach us more concerning the Book of our

fathers and the will of the Great Spirit."

We again lodged at Mr. Pool's, told him of the Book, had a very

pleasant interview with him, and he became a believer and advocate

for the Book, and served as an interpreter.

We continued for several days to instruct the old chief and many

of his tribe. The interest became more and more intense on their

part, from day to day, until at length nearly the whole tribe began

to feel a spirit of inquiry and excitement on the subject.

We found several among them who could read, and to them we gave

copies of the Book, explaining to them that it was the Book of

their forefathers.

Some began to rejoice exceedingly, and took great pains to tell

the news to others, in their own language.

The excitement now reached the frontier settlements in Missouri,

and stirred up the jealousy and envy of the Indian agents and

sectarian missionaries to that degree that we were soon ordered out

of the Indian country as disturbers of the peace; and even

threatened with the military in case of non-compliance.

We accordingly departed from the Indian country, and came over

the line, and commenced laboring in Jackson County, Missouri, among

the whites. We were well received, and listened to by many; and

some were baptized and added to the Church.

Thus ended our first Indian Mission, in which we had preached

the gospel in its fullness, and distributed the record of their

forefathers among three tribes, viz: the Catteraugus Indians, near

Buffalo, N. Y., the Wyandots of Ohio, and the Delawares west of

Missouri.

We trust that at some future day, when the servants of God go

forth in power to the remnant of Joseph, some precious seed will be

found growing in their hearts, which was sown by us in that early

day.

It was now the 14th of February, 1831. The cold north wind which

had blown for several weeks, accompanied with very severe weather,

had begun to give place to a milder breeze from the south; and the

deep snows were fast settling down, with every prospect of

returning spring.

Elders Cowdery, Whitmer, Peterson, myself, and F. G. Williams,

who accompanied us from Kirtland, now assembled in Independence,

Jackson County, Missouri, and came to the conclusion that one of

our number had better return to the church in Ohio, and perhaps to

headquarters in New York, in order to communicate with the

Presidency, report ourselves, pay a visit to the numerous churches

we had organized on our outward journey, and also to procure more

books.

For this laborious enterprise I was selected by the voice of my

four brethren. I accordingly took leave of them, and of our friends

in that country, and started on foot.

In nine days I arrived at St. Louis, distance three hundred

miles. It was now the latter part of February; the snow had

disappeared, the rivers were breaking up, and the whole country

inundated as it were with mud and water. I spent a few days with a

friend in the country, at the same place we had tarried on the way

out; and then took a steamer in St. Louis bound for Cincinnati,

where I landed in safety after a passage of one week. From

Cincinnati I travelled on foot to Strongville, Ohio, forty miles

from Kirtland.

This last walk consisted of some two hundred and fifty miles,

over very bad, muddy road; and for some days I had found myself

much fatigued, and quite out of health. Hearing of some brethren in

Strongville, I determined to inquire them out, and try their

hospitality to a sick and weary stranger without making myself

known.

I accordingly approached the house of an old gentleman by the

name of Coltrin, about sundown, and inquired if they could

entertain a weary stranger who had no money. The old gentleman cast

his eyes upon me, and beheld a weary, weather-beaten traveller;

soiled with the toil of a long journey; besmeared with mud, eyes

inflamed with pain, long heard, and a visage lengthened by sickness

and extreme fatigue. After a moment's hesitation he bade me

welcome, and invited me into his house. Several ladies were at tea.

I addressed them as a stranger who had come to partake of their

hospitality for the night.

They received me with a smile of welcome, and immediately

insisted on my sitting down to tea, during which something like the

following conversation took place:

"Stranger, where are you from? You certainly look weary; you

must have travelled a long distance!"

"Yes; I am from beyond the frontiers of Missouri; a distance of

twelve hundred miles." "Ah, indeed! Did you hear anything of the

four great prophets out that way?"

"Prophets! What prophets?"

"Why, four men--strange men--who came through this country and

preached, and baptized hundreds of people; and, after ordaining

Elders and organizing churches, they continued on westward, as we

suppose, to the frontiers on a mission to the Indians; and we have

never heard from them since. But the great work commenced by them

still rolls on. It commenced last fall in Kirtland, and has spread

for a hundred miles around; thousands have embraced it, and among

others ourselves and many in this neighborhood."

"But what did they preach? And why do you call them prophets?"

"Why they opened the Scriptures in a wonderful manner; showed

the people plainly of many things to come; opened the doctrine of

Christ, as we never understood it before; and, among other things,

they introduced a very extraordinary Book, which, they said, was an

ancient record of the forefathers of the Indian tribes."

"How were they dressed, and in what style did they travel?"

"They were dressed plainly and comely, very neat in their

persons, and each one wore a hat of a drab color, low round crown

and broad brim, after the manner of the Shakers, so it is said; for

we had not the privilege of seeing them ourselves.

"However, these fashioned hats were not a peculiarity of this

people; but were given to each of them by the Shakers, at the time

they passed through this country; so they wore them. As to their

style of travelling, they sometimes go on foot, sometimes in a

carriage, and sometimes, perhaps, by water; but they provide

themselves with neither purse nor scrip for their journey, neither

shoes nor two coats apiece."

"Well, from your description of these four men I think I have

seen them on the frontiers of Missouri. They had commenced a

mission in the Indian territory; but were compelled by the United

States agents, influenced, no doubt, by missionaries, to depart

from the Indian country, although well received by the Indians

themselves."

"You saw them, then?"

"I did."

"Were they well?"

"I believe they were all in good health and spirits."

"Will they return soon? O, who would not give the world to see

them!"

"Well, I am one of them, and the others you may, perhaps, see."

"You one of them! God bless you. What is your name?"

"My name is Parley P. Pratt, one of the four men you have

described, but not much of a prophet; and as to a sight of me in my

present plight, I think it would not be worth half a world."

The rest of the conversation I cannot write, for all spoke, all

laughed, and all rejoiced at once.

The next morning I found myself unable to rise from my bed,

being severely attacked with the measles.

I came near dying, and was confined for one or two weeks among

them, being scarcely able to raise my head. I was watched over

night and day, and had all the care that a man could have in his

father's house.

As I recovered in part, being still very weak, I was provided

with a horse, on which I arrived at Kirtland.

Hundreds of the saints now crowded around to welcome me, and to

inquire after my brethren whom I had left in Missouri.

Here also I again met President Joseph Smith, who had, during

our absence, come up from the State of New York.

I found the churches in Ohio had increased to more than a

thousand members, and those in New York to several hundred.

I also heard from my wife, from whom I had been absent about six

months. The news was that the whole Church in the State of New

York, including herself (for she had joined during my absence), was

about to remove to Ohio in the opening spring. I, therefore, was

advised to proceed no farther eastward, but to await their arrival.

After visiting the saints a few days, I commenced to labor with my

hands; but the Lord would not suffer me to continue long in this

occupation.

Some time in March, I was commanded of the Lord, in connection

with S. Rigdon and L. Copley, to visit a people called the

Shakers;* and preach the gospel unto them.

[Footnote] *See Book of Doctrine and Covenants, section 65.

We fulfilled this mission, as we were commanded, in a settlement

of this strange people, near Cleveland, Ohio; but they utterly

refused to hear or obey the gospel. After this I paid a visit to

the churches round about Kirtland.

As I went forth among the different branches, some very strange

spiritual operations were manifested, which were disgusting,

rather than edifying. Some persons would seem to swoon away,

and make unseemly gestures, and be drawn or disfigured in their

countenances. Others would fall into ecstacies, and be drawn into

contortions, cramp, fits, etc. Others would seem to have visions

and revelations, which were not edifying, and which were not

congenial to the doctrine and spirit of the gospel. In short, a

false and lying spirit seemed to be creeping into the Church.

All these things were new and strange to me, and had originated

in the Church during our absence, and previous to the arrival of

President Joseph Smith from New York.

Feeling our weakness and inexperience, and lest we should err in

judgment concerning these spiritual phenomena, myself, John

Murdock, and several other Elders, went to Joseph Smith, and asked

him to inquire of the Lord concerning these spirits or manifestations.

After we had joined in prayer in his translating room, he

dictated in our presence the following revelation:--(Each sentence

was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a pause between

each, sufficiently long for it to be recorded, by an ordinary

writer, in long hand.

This was the manner in which all his written revelations were

dictated and written. There was never any hesitation, reviewing, or

reading back, in order to keep the run of the subject; neither did

any of these communications undergo revisions, interlinings, or

corrections. As he dictated them so they stood, so far as I have

witnessed; and I was present to witness the dictation of several

communications of several pages each.

This inquiry was made and the answer given in May, 1831.)

CHAPTER IX.

------------------------

Revelation on False Spirits:--Ministry Among the

Churches:--Remarkable Miracle of Healing:--Arrival of

Emigrant Saints from New York:--Severe Disappointment.

"Hearken, O ye Elders of my Church, and give ear, to the voice

of the living God; attend to the words of wisdom which shall be

given unto you, according as ye have asked and are agreed, as

touching the Church, and the spirits which have gone abroad in the

earth. Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits

which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth,

deceiving the world; and also Satan hath sought to deceive you,

that he might overthrow you.

"Behold, I, the Lord, have looked upon you, and have seen

abominations in the Church that possess my name; but blessed are

they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death; for

they shall inherit eternal life. But woe unto them that are

deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring

them to judgment.

"Behold, I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who

have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but,

behold, such shall be reclaimed; but the hypocrites shall be

detected and cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will;

and woe unto them who are cut off from my Church, for the same are

overcome of the world; wherefore, let every man beware, lest he do

that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.

"And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the Elders of

His Church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand: Let

us reason--even as a man reasoneth--one with another, face to face;

now, when a man reasoneth, he is understood of man, because he

reasoneth as a man; even so will I, the Lord, reason with you, that

you may understand: wherefore, I, the Lord, asketh you this

question, unto what were ye ordained? To preach my gospel by the

Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth;

and then received ye spirits which ye could not understand, and

received them to be of God, and in this are ye justified? Behold,

ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless, I will be

merciful unto you; he that is weak among you, hereafter, shall be

made strong.

"Verily, I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent

forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the spirit

of truth, doth he preach it by the spirit of truth, or some other

way? And if it be by some other way, it be not of God. And, again,

he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the

spirit of truth, or some other way? If it be some other way, it be

not of God; therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand, and

know that he that receiveth the word by the spirit of truth,

receiveth it as it is preached by the spirit of truth?

"Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth,

understandeth one another, and both are edified and rejoice

together; and that which doth not edify, is not of God, and is

darkness; that which is of God is light, and he that receiveth

light and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light

groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. And, again,

verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth,

that you may chase darkness from among you; for he that is ordained

of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest,

notwithstanding he is least, and the servant of all; wherefore, he

is possessor of all things, for all things are subject unto him,

both in Heaven and on the earth; the life and the light, the spirit

and the power sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus

Christ, His Son; but no man is possessor of all things, except he

be purified and cleansed from all sin; and if ye are purified and

cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name

of Jesus, and it shall be done; but, know this, it shall be given

you what you shall ask, and as ye are appointed to the head, the

spirits shall be subject unto you.

"Wherefore, it shall come to pass, that if you behold a spirit

manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that

spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus, and if he

give not unto you that spirit, that you may know that it is not of

God; and it shall be given unto you power over that spirit, and you

shall proclaim against that spirit with a loud voice, that it is

not of God; not with railing accusation, that ye be not overcome;

neither with boasting, nor rejoicing, lest you be seized therewith;

he that receiveth of God, let him account it of God, and let him

rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive, and by

giving heed and doing these things which ye have received, and

which ye shall hereafter receive, and the kingdom is given you of

the Father, and power to overcome all things which is not ordained

of Him; and, behold, verily I say unto you, blessed are you who are

now hearing these words of mine from the mouth of my servant, for

your sins are forgiven you.

"Let my servant, Joseph Wakefield, in whom I am pleased, and my

servant, Parley P. Pratt, go forth among the churches and

strengthen them by the word of exhortation; and also my servant,

John Corrill, or as many of my servants as are ordained unto this

office, and let them labor in the vineyard; and let no man hinder

them of doing that which I have appointed unto them; wherefore, in

this thing, my servant, Edward Partridge, is not justified;

nevertheless, let him repent and he shall be forgiven. Behold, ye

are little children, and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must

grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Fear not, little

children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you

are of them that my Father hath given me; and none of them that my

Father hath given me shall be lost; and the Father and I are one. I

am in the Father and the Father in me; and, inasmuch as ye have

received me, ye are in me and I in you; wherefore, I am in your

midst, and I am the good Shepherd (and the stone of Israel; he that

buildeth upon this rock shall never fall), and the day cometh that

you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch,

therefore, that ye may be ready; even so. Amen."

In obedience to the foregoing, Joseph Wakefield and myself

visited the several branches of the Church, rebuking the wrong

spirits which had crept in among them, setting in order things that

were wanting; ordaining Elders and other officers; baptizing such

as believed and repented of their sins; administering the gift of

the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, in the name of Jesus

Christ; laying hands on little children and blessing them; praying

for the sick, and comforting the afflicted, etc. On some occasions

we assembled fifty or sixty little children in one circle, in the

midst of the assembly of the saints, and laid our hands upon them

all, and prayed for them, and blessed them in the name of Jesus.

Thus my time passed sweetly and swiftly away for some weeks. I

was sometimes in the society of President Smith, in Kirtland, and

of the saints in that place, and sometimes in the branches abroad.

About this time a young lady, by the name of Chloe Smith, being

a member of the Church, was lying very low with a lingering fever,

with a family who occupied one of the houses on the farm of Isaac

Morley, in Kirtland. Many of the Church had visited and prayed with

her, but all to no effect; she seemed at the point of death, but

would not consent to have a physician. This greatly enraged her

relatives, who had cast her out because she belonged to the Church,

and who, together with many of the people of the neighborhood, were

greatly stirred up to anger, saying, "these wicked deceivers will

let her lie and die without a physician, because of their

superstitions; and if they do, we will prosecute them for so

doing." Now these were daily watching for her last breath, with

many threats.

Under these circumstances, President Smith and myself, with

several other Elders called to see her. She was so low that no one

had been allowed for some days previous to speak above a whisper,

and even the door of the log dwelling was muffled with cloths to

prevent a noise.

We kneeled down and prayed vocally all around, each in turn;

after which President Smith arose, went to the bedside, took her by

the hand, and said unto her with a loud voice, "in the name of

Jesus Christ arise and walk!" She immediately arose, was dressed by

a woman in attendance, when she walked to a chair before the fire,

and was seated and joined in singing a hymn. The house was thronged

with people in a few moments, and the young lady arose and shook

hands with each as they came in; and from that minute she was

perfectly restored to health.

Some time in May, 1831, the Church arrived with their families

from the State of New York, to settle in Kirtland; but, to my

inexpressible disappointment, my wife had not come with them, but

had gone to spend the summer in the East with her friends. It was

now too late to go to her, as the time was near when I was in duty

bound to return to my fellow laborers in Missouri. To be so long

absent from her, and then undertake a second journey without seeing

her, was a severe trial, but God gave me grace to overcome my

feelings, for his sake and the gospel's.

CHAPTER X.

------------------------

Conference at Kirtland:--Revelation of the High

Priesthood:--Ordinations to the Same:--Appointment of

Missions through the Western States:--Return Westward,

Accompanied by my Brother Orson:--Our Success by the

Way:--Arrival at the Frontiers:--Sickness:--Remarkable

Conversion of Newel Knight:--A Dream.

On the sixth of June, 1831, a general conference was convened at

Kirtland, consisting of all the Elders, far and near, who could be

got together. In this conference much instruction was given by

President Smith, who spake in great power, as he was moved by the

Holy Ghost; and the spirit of power and of testimony rested down

upon the Elders in a marvelous manner. Here also were some strange

manifestations of false spirits, which were immediately rebuked.

Several were then selected by revelation, through President

Smith, and ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of the

Son of God, which is after the order of Melchizedek. This was the

first occasion in which this priesthood had been revealed and

conferred upon the Elders in this dispensation, although the office

of an Elder is the same in a certain degree, but not in the

fullness. On this occasion I was ordained to this holy ordinance

and calling by President Smith.

After these things, and the business of the conference was over,

myself and Orson Pratt were appointed by revelation to perform a

mission together, through the Western States, and to meet the

brethren I had left in Jackson County, Missouri; and many others

also who were sent in a similar manner, two and two through the

Western States, and who were all appointed to meet in Jackson

County, Missouri, and hold the next conference.*

[Footnote] *See revelation, Book of Doctrine and Covenants,

Section 66.

Soon after the conference my brother and myself commenced our

journey without any means to bear our expenses. We travelled

through the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, in the

midst of the heat of summer on foot, and faithfully preached the

gospel in many parts of all these States. We suffered the hardships

incident to a new and, in many places, unsettled country, such as

hunger, thirst, fatigue, etc. We arrived in upper Missouri in

September, having baptized many people and organized branches of

the Church in several parts of Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. On our

arrival we found a considerable settlement of the brethren from

Ohio, who had immigrated during the summer and taken up their

residence in Jackson County. President Smith, and many of the

Elders, had been there and held a conference, and, having organized

a Stake of Zion, pointed out and consecrated certain grounds for a

city and temple, they had again returned to the East. With them,

the brethren whom I had left there the previous winter, had also

returned.

I felt somewhat disappointed in not meeting with the brethren;

but was consoled with the reflection that I had been diligent in

preaching the gospel on my journey, while others had hurried

through the country, perhaps, without tarrying to do much good.

I was now taken sick with the fever and ague, owing to the

exposures of the climate through which we had travelled. I suffered

extremely for several months; being brought very low with fever,

and with other afflictions.

I tarried mostly with a branch of the Church commonly called the

Colesville branch. They had removed from Colesville, in the State

of New York, and settled on the borders of a fertile prairie, about

twelve miles west of the village of Independence, and near the

boundaries which divide the State of Missouri from the Indian

Territory. They consisted of about sixty souls, and were under the

presidency of a faithful and zealous Elder by the name of Newel

Knight--an account of whose miraculous conversion we here record,

as extracted from the life of Joseph Smith, published in the

_Millennial Star_, Vol. 4, p. 116:

"During this month of April, I (Joseph Smith) went on a visit to

the residence of Mr. Joseph Knight, of Colesville, Broom County,

N.Y., with whom and his family I had been previously acquainted,

and whose name I have above mentioned as having been so kind and

thoughtful towards us while translating the Book of Mormon. Mr.

Knight and his family were Universalists; but were willing to

reason with me upon my religious views, and were, as usual,

friendly and hospitable. We held several meetings in the

neighborhood; we had many friends and some enemies. Our meetings

were well attended, and many began to pray fervently to Almighty

God that He would give them wisdom to understand the truth. Among

those who attended our meetings regularly was Newel Knight, son of

Joseph Knight. He and I had many serious conversations on the

important subject of man's eternal salvation. We were in the habit

of praying much at our meetings, and Newel had said that he would

try and take up his cross and pray vocally during meeting; but when

we again met together he rather excused himself. I tried to prevail

upon him, making use of the figure, supposing that he should get

into a mud hole would he not try to help himself out? And that we

were willing now to help him out of the mud hole. He replied, 'that

provided he had got into a mud hole through carelessness, he would

rather wait and get out himself than have others to help him, and

so he would wait until he should get into the woods by himself and

there he would pray.' Accordingly he deferred praying until next

morning, when he retired into the woods, where, according to his

own account afterwards, he made several attempts to pray, but could

scarcely do so--feeling that he had not done his duty, but that he

should have prayed in the presence of others. He began to feel

uneasy, and continued to feel worse both in mind and body until,

upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm

his wife very much. He requested her to go and bring me to him. I

went and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body

acted upon in a very strange manner. His visage and limbs distorted

and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine; and

finally, he was caught up off the floor of the apartment and tossed

about most fearfully. His situation was soon made known to his

neighbors and relatives, and in a short time as many as eight or

nine grown persons had got together to witness the scene. After he

had thus suffered for a time, I succeeded in getting hold of him by

the hand, when almost immediately he spoke to me, and with very

great earnestness requested of me that I should cast the devil out

of him; saying, 'that he knew that he was in him, and that he also

knew that I could cast him out.' I replied, 'if you know that I can

it shall be done,' and then, almost unconsciously, I rebuked the

devil, and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from

him' when immediately Newel spoke out and said, 'that he saw the

devil leave him and vanish from his sight.'*

[Footnote] *This was the first miracle which was done in this

Church, or by any member of it, and it was not done by man nor the

power of man, but it was done by God, and by the power of

godliness; therefore, let the honor and the praise, the dominion

and the glory, be ascribed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for

ever and ever. Amen.

"The scene was now entirely changed; for as soon as the devil

had departed from our friend his countenance became natural; his

distortions of body ceased; and almost immediately the Spirit of

the Lord descended upon him, and the visions of eternity were

opened to his view. He afterwards related his experience as

follows:

"'I now began to feel a most pleasing sensation resting upon me,

and immediately the visions of Heaven were opened to my view. I

felt myself attracted upward, and remained for some time enrapt in

contemplation, insomuch that I knew not what was going on in the

room. By-and-by I felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and

the side of my head, which served to recall me to a sense of my

situation, and I found that the Spirit of the Lord had actually

caught me up off the floor, and that my shoulder and head were

pressing against the beams.'

"All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonishment and

satisfaction, when they saw the devil thus cast out and the power

of God and His Holy Spirit thus made manifest. So soon as

consciousness returned, his bodily weakness was such that we were

obliged to lay him upon his bed and wait upon him for some time. As

may be expected, such a scene as this contributed much to make

believers of those who witnessed it; and, finally, the greater part

of them became members of the Church."

This Colesville branch was among the first organized by Joseph

Smith, and constituted the first settlers of the members of the

Church in Missouri. They had arrived late in the summer, and cut

some hay for their cattle, sowed a little grain, and prepared some

ground for cultivation, and were engaged during the fall and winter

in building log cabins, etc. The winter was cold, and for some time

about ten families lived in one log cabin, which was open and

unfinished, while the frozen ground served for a floor. Our food

consisted of beef and a little bread made of corn, which had been

grated into coarse meal by rubbing the ears on a tin grater. This

was rather an inconvenient way of living for a sick person; but it

was for the gospel's sake, and all were very cheerful and happy.

We enjoyed many happy seasons in our prayer and other meetings,

and the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us, and even on the

little children, insomuch that many of eight, ten or twelve years

of age spake, and prayed, and prophesied in our meetings and in our

family worship. There was a spirit of peace and union, and love and

good will manifested in this little Church in the wilderness, the

memory of which will be ever dear to my heart.

It was during my long illness in this dreary winter that I had

the following dream or vision: I thought I saw myself dressed in a

clean and beautiful linen robe, white as snow, and extending from

the neck downward in beautiful folds. On either breast were lines

of golden writing, in large Roman letters, about a third of an inch

in length, and the lines extending from the center of the breast on

each side six or eight inches long. The upper line on each side

appeared larger and more beautiful or conspicuous than the others;

one of these lines was: "HOLY PROPHET," and the other was: "NEW

JERUSALEM."

On awaking from this dream I immediately called to mind the

words of the Saviour to John the Revelator: "_He that overcometh

will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no

more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the

name of the City of my God, which is New Jerusalem_."

This dream certainly encouraged me, and enabled me to bear my

sickness, privation and long absence from my wife and former

friends more patiently.

CHAPTER XI.

------------------------

Attend Conference:--Instantaneous Healing:--

Return Eastward:--Description of the Inhabitants on the

South Side of the Missouri River:--Strange Manifestation:--

Arrive at St. Louis:--Preaching and Entertainment:--Arrive

at Vandalia:--Reception:--Exposure in Crossing an Over--

flowed Bottom:--Dialogue:--Hospitality of a Preacher:--

Deaf Landlord:--Meet my Wife.

Some time in February, 1832, a Conference was held by Bishop

Partridge and the Elders remaining in this part of the country. To

this Conference I was determined to go, though very feeble and

almost unable to sit up. I was assisted on to a horse, and rode

twelve miles. I kept my bed during the Conference; but at the

close, several Elders being about to take their journey to Ohio, I

determined to go with them. I requested the Elders, therefore, to

lay their hands on me and pray. They did so. I was instantly

healed, and the next morning started in company with Elder Levi

Hancock, a journey of twelve hundred miles on foot.

I gained strength at every step, and the second evening, after

wading through the snow about six inches deep for some ten miles, I

was enabled to address a congregation for the first time in several

months.

I now parted with Levi Hancock, and had John Murdock for a

fellow traveller. We passed down the south side of the Missouri

river, among a thin settlement of people--mostly very ignorant but

extremely hospitable. Some families were entirely dressed in skins,

without any other clothing; including ladies young and old.

Buildings were generally without glass windows, and the door open

in winter for a light. We preached, and warned the people, and

taught them as well as we could.

While ministering in these settlements, and exposed to a heavy

snow storm, brother John Murdock was taken sick with a heavy fever;

this caused us to stop early in the day among strangers, in a small

log cabin consisting of one room; we held a meeting in the evening,

and then had a bed made down on the floor, before the fire. Before

morning brother Murdock was much better, but I was seized with a

most dreadful chill, followed by a heavy turn of fever; morning

found me unable to rise or speak. As the bed was in the way, they

lifted it by the four corners, with me on it, and placed it in the

back part of the room, on another bed. Here I lay, entirely

helpless with a burning fever, during which I distinctly heard a

dialogue between John Murdock and the lady of the house; she

upbraiding us as impostors thrown upon them at this inclement

season, while they were out of milling and of wood, and but illy

prepared for such a burden; that one was sick the night before, and

now the other was taken down; that it was six miles to the next

house, deep snow and no road broke, and we would probably be on

their hands for weeks.

To these inhospitable remarks brother Murdock mildly replied,

trying to soothe the woman; reasoning with her, and telling her

that brother Parley would soon be better, and then we would go our

way.

This dialogue gave me such a sense of unwelcome, and I pitied

brother Murdock to that degree for having to stay with such spirits

on my account, that I felt I could endure it no longer. With the

utmost effort I roused myself sufficiently to call brother Murdock

to my bed, whispering to him to lay hands on me unobserved, so as

not to be seen or overheard. He did so; I then asked him to give me

a drink of water. The effort had been too much, I swooned away

while he was gone for the water; he could hardly arouse me

sufficiently to drink of it; it was like waking from the dead. I

drank of it, bounded on my feet, dressed myself, put on my shoes

and hat, and told him I was ready to start. The family all

marvelled; one exclaimed, "what a strange disease; it could not be

fever, and then be cured in an instant." We gave no explanations,

but started on our journey up a steep hill, in the deep snow, in

the midst of their urgings to stay to breakfast, or at least have a

cup of coffee. I said nothing, but thought to myself: ye

hypocrites, to murmur as you have, and then ask me to stay and eat.