SIDNEY RIGDON'S CONVERSION--THIRD CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH--THE
SAINTS COMMENCE TO GATHER--AN ACCIDENT--MY AUNT'S DREAM--ITS
FULFILLMENT--MISSOURI CHOSEN FOR A GATHERING PLACE--MY MOTHER'S
WISH--REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST AND PRESENT--TEMPLE SITE LOCATED--LABORS
COMMENCE--THE FIRST DEATH.
BROTHER OLIVER COWDERY had been called by revelation to go with Parley
P. Pratt, Ziba Peterson and Peter Whitmer, Jun., to preach to the
Lamanites. Parley P. Pratt had belonged to the same church as Sidney
Rigdon, and had been sent by his sect on some business to New York
state, and while there he heard, and embraced the gospel, was ordained
an Elder and immediately sent on this mission. Having been acquainted
with Sidney Rigdon, he called on him, presented the Book of Mormon to
him as a revelation from God, and before these brethren moved on to the
fulfillment of their mission, Sidney Rigdon, with a large number of the
members of his church, was baptized. The success of these brethren was
immense. They preached in all the towns and villages on their road,
bearing a faithful testimony wherever they could be heard.
In December, Sidney Rigdon visited Joseph Smith, Jun., to inquire of
the Lord what he should do. This was a very pleasant meeting, and, by
the voice of revelation, these brethren were called to labor together
even from their first acquaintance.
A new year dawned upon us, with everything around us bright and
cheerful, and the prospects a head such as to give us joy. In the midst
of persecution we rejoiced, knowing that our God was with us, and His
great work would roll on, and man could not stop its progress.
On the 2nd of January, 1831, the third conference of the Church
assembled. Many of the Saints came together from the region around,
and much good instruction was given. The Saints manifested unshaken
confidence in the great work which they were engaged, and all rejoiced
under the blessings of the gospel. Considerable business was transacted
for the Church.
It was at this conference that we were instructed as a people, to begin
the gathering of Israel, and a revelation was given to the prophet on
this subject.
Having returned home from conference, in obedience to the commandment
which had been given, I, together with the Colesville Branch, began to
make preparations to go to Ohio. Towards the latter part of January
Brother Joseph Smith and wife, Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge
started for Kirtland, Ohio.
As might be expected, we were obliged to make great sacrifices of our
property. The most of my time was occupied in visiting the brethren,
and helping to arrange their affairs, so that we might travel together
in one company. Having made the best arrangements we could for the
journey, we bade adieu to all we held dear on this earth and in the
early part of April started for our destination.
We had proceeded but a few days on our journey, when I was subpoenaed
as a witness, and had to go to Colesville. On arriving there it was
very evident that this plan had been adopted by our enemies to add
a little more to the persecutions already heaped upon us. The whole
company declined traveling until I should return.
Soon after I left, my aunt, Electa Peek, fell and broke her shoulder in
a most shocking manner; a surgeon was called to relieve her sufferings,
which were very great. My aunt dreamed that I returned and laid my
hands upon her, prayed for her, and she was made whole, and pursued her
journey with the company. She related this dream to the surgeon who
replied, "If you are able to travel in many weeks it will be a miracle,
and I will be a Mormon too."
I arrived at the place, where the company had stopped, late in the
evening; but, on learning of the accident, I went to see my aunt, and
immediately on my entering the room she said, "O, Brother Newel, if
you will lay your hands upon me, I shall be well and able to go on the
journey with you." I stepped up to the bed, and, in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ, rebuked the pain with which she was suffering, and
commanded her to be made whole; and it was done; for the next morning
she arose, dressed herself, and pursued the journey with us.
We arrived at Buffalo without any further trouble, where we were
to take passage on board a sloop for Fairport, Ohio. But the wind
blew from the lake and filled the harbor with ice, so that we were
detained nearly two weeks. When we set sail on the lake, the winds
continued boisterous, and the vessel was tossed about in such a manner
that nearly all the company were sea sick, which made it rather a
disagreeable voyage. We arrived safely, however, at our destination.
On our arrival it was advised that the Colesville branch remain
together, and go to a neighboring town called Thompson, as a man by the
name of Copely had a considerable tract of land there which he offered
to let the Saints occupy. Consequently a contract was agreed upon, and
we commenced work in good faith. But in a short time Copely broke the
engagement, and I went to Kirtland to see Brother Joseph, and to attend
conference, which had been appointed to be held on the 6th of June,
1831.
Conference convened. The Elders, from various parts of the country
where they had been laboring, came in, and the power of the Lord was
displayed in our midst. A number were ordained to the Melchizedek
Priesthood, and the hearts of the Saints rejoiced in the rich blessings
bestowed upon them.
We now understood that this was not the land of our inheritance--the
land of promise, for it was made known in a revelation, that Missouri
was the place chosen for the gathering of the Church, and several were
called to lead the way to that state.
A revelation was also given concerning the gathering, on the receipt
of which we, who constituted the Colesville branch, immediately set to
preparing for our journey, and on the third day of June, I took passage
with the Colesville company at Wellsville, Ohio, and arrived at St.
Louis, Mo., on the 13th. On the 18th we took passage on the steamer
_Chieftain_ for Independence.
My mother's health was very poor and had been for a considerable time,
yet she would not consent to stop traveling; her only, or her greatest
desire, was to set her feet upon the land of Zion, and to have her
body interred in that land. I went on shore and bought lumber to make
a coffin in case she should die before we arrived at our place of
destination--so fast did she fail. But the Lord gave her the desire of
her heart, and she lived to stand upon that land; where we arrived on
the 25th of June.
This was the first branch of the Church which had emigrated to the land
of Zion. I found it required all the wisdom I possessed to lead the
company through so long a journey in the midst of their enemies, yet so
great were the mercies and blessings of God to us, that not one of us
was harmed.
Brothers Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward
Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, and A. S. Gilbert and wife, had
started for Missouri on the 19th of June, and arrived at Independence
about the middle of July. We were glad to find these brethren in good
health and spirits, and it was indeed a joy to meet them once more.
But our feelings can be better imagined than described, when we, found
ourselves upon the Western frontiers. The country itself presented a
pleasant aspect with its rich forests bordering its beautiful streams,
and its deep rolling prairies spreading far and wide, inviting the hand
of industry to establish for itself homes upon its broad bosom. And
this was the place, where the Lord had promised to reveal unto us where
be built up, established--where the New Jerusalem should Zion should be
and our hearts went forth unto the Lord desiring the fulfillment, that
we might know where to bestow our labors profit-ably. We had not long
to wait, for during the month the Lord gave a revelation to Brother
Joseph, designating the spot.
Being no longer at a loss to know where the exact spot for the building
of the temple and the city of Zion was, we immediately prepared for
our labors. On the 2nd day of August, Brother Joseph Smith, Jun.,
the prophet of God, assisted the Colesville branch to lay the first
log as a foundation for Zion in Kaw township, twelve miles west of
Independence. The log was carried by twelve men, in honor of the twelve
tribes of Israel. At the same time, through prayer, Sidney Rigdon
consecrated and dedicated the land of Zion for the gathering of the
Saints. This was truly a season of joy and rejoicing to all the Saints,
who took part in, or witnessed the proceedings.
On the 3rd of August the spot for the temple, a little west of
Independence, was dedicated in the presence of Joseph Smith, Jun.,
Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, Martin Harris, Joseph
Coe, and myself.
On the 4th, the first conference held in the land of Zion, convened
at the house of Brother Joshua Lewis, in Kaw township. The Colesville
branch was present, and much good instruction was given, and we felt
to give thanks to that God who had brought us out of the land of our
nativity and planted us in the land of Zion.
On the 6th, my mother died. She quietly fell asleep rejoicing in the
new and everlasting gospel, and praising God that she had lived to see
the land of Zion and that her body would rest in peace, after all the
suffering she had endured from the persecutions of the wicked.
On the 7th, Brother Joseph attended the funeral, and addressed us in
an impressive and consoling manner. This was the first death that had
occurred in this Church in this land.
On the 9th, in company with several Elders, Brother Joseph Smith Jun.,
left Independence to return to Kirtland. They went down the river in
canoes.