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HAROLD  B.  LEE  LIBRARY 
■  ;_         PROVO,  UTAH 


THE 


Q^J^i 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY 

OF  • 

'ARLEY  PARKER  PRATT; 


ONE    OF   THE 


TWELVE    APOSTLES 


OF   THE 

burch  ni  ^^asus  Etoist  af  Latte-Bay  SamtS; 


r 


KMERAt  IN»   HIS 


LIFE,   MINISTRY  AND   TRAVELS, 


ITH  EXTRACTS,  IN  PROSE  AND  VERSE,  FROM  HIS  MISCELLANEOUS 

WRITINGS. 

Edited  by  his  Son,  Parley  P.  Pratt. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


SOLD     ONLY     BY     SUBSCRIPTION. 


"  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth  ;  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that 
.evmay  rest  from  their  labors  ;  and  their  ivorks  do  follow  them."— Rev.  xiv.  13. 


CHICAGO: 
PUBLISHED  FOR  PRATT  BROS. 
By  law,  king  &  LAW, 

278  Michigan  Atentte. 
1888. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  18T4, 

By  Parley  P.  Pratt, 

In  tLe  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


THE  LIBiUKY 


PREFACE. 


IN  publishing  this  volume  I  am  discharging  a  duty  solemnly 
imposed*  upon  me  by  my  lamented  father,  just  before  his 
departiu'e  on  his  last  mission  to  the  United  States. 

It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  present  the  Autobiography 
of  the  late  Author  to  his  relatives,  his  numerous  friends,  and  to 
the  general  reader. 

The  writer  is  well  and  favorably  known  through  his  "  Yoice 
of  "Warning,"'  his  "Key  to  Theology,"  and  other  productions  of 
his  pen,  as  well  as  through  his  personal  labors.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  Apostles  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter- Day 
Saints,  ha^dng  been  called  by  revelation  and  ordained  to  that 
office  by  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  and  Oliver  Cowdery.  He 
was  intimately  associated  with  the  martjTS  Joseph  and  Hyrum, 
with  Presidents  B.  Young  and  H.  C.  Kimball,  and  other  leading 
men,  almost  from  the  first  rise  of  the  Church :  his  history,  there- 
fore, was  so  interwoven  with  that  of  the  Church,  that  many  of 
the  most  interesting  sketches  of  Church  history  will  be  found 
therein. 

The  following  pages,  which  embrace  his  life,  ministry  and 
travels,  and  some  of  his  best  miscellaneous  Avritings  in  prose  and 
verse,  are  the  productions  of  his  o^vn  pen. 

He  spared  no  pains  to  make  the  work  a  rehable  record,  and 
one  that  would  be  acceptable  to  all  lovers  of  truth.  It  is  written 
in  the  author's  happiest  style.  He  was  an  early  pioneer  of  the 
Great  West,  and  travelled  extensively  in  different  countries. 


4  PREFACE . 

His  life  was  one  of  indefatigable  labor,  varied  and  com- 
plicated, crowded  with  public  labors  and  responsibilities,  and 
full  of  strange  and  extraordinary  events — a  life  mingled  with 
the  extremes  of  joy  and  sorrow — or,  in  the  writer's  own  words, 
"  a  truly  eventful  one." 

With  confidence  and  satisfaction  I  submit  this  work  to  the 
reader,  feeling  assured  that  it  will  stand  upon  its  own  merits.  I 
also  have  an  earnest  and  sincere  desire  that  it  may  be  the  means, 
through  the  blessing  of  God,  of  accomplishing  much  good. 

In  editing  the  work  I  have  been  kindly  assisted  by  the 
author's  personal  friend,  Elder  John  Taylor,  to  whom  I  feel 
deeply  indebted. 

The  work  embraces  a  period  of  history  of  fifty  years — from 
the  author's  boyhood  to  the  time  of  his  betrayal,  by  apostates, 
into  the  hands  of  his  enemies,  and  martyrdom. 

The  writer,  in  his  second  preface  to  his  "Voice  of  Warning," 
in  1846,  gave  expression  to  the  following  sentiment :  "  Should 
the  author  be  called  to  sacrifice  his  life  for  the  cause  of  truth, 
he  will  have  the  consolation  that  it  will  be  said  of  lum,  as  it  was 
said  of  Abel,  "  He  being  dead  yet  s^eaketh." 

Editor. 

Salt  Lake  City,  Dec.,  1813. 


To  The  Public. 


THE  circumstances  attending  tlie  death  of  our  beloved  and 
much,  esteemed  Apostle,  Parley  Parker  Pratt,  rendered  it 
impossible  for  him  to  complete  and  prepare  for  publication 
the  work  in  which  he  had  for  many  years  been  engaged, 
which  is  now  presented  to  the  public. 

The  general  history  and  incidents  were  recorded  in  various 
forms  of  manuscript,  some  in  book  form,  some  in  loose  leaves, 
whilst  others  were  extracts  from  the  "  Millennial  Star "'  and 
other  publications,  yet  they  needed  collating  and  revising  pre- 
paratory to   their   publication. 

The  deceased,  as  appears  above,  had  laid  upon  his  eldest  son, 
P.  P.  Pratt,  the  responsibility  of  publishing  his  history  in  case 
anything  should  happen  to  prevent  himself  from  doing  it. 

At  the  solicitation  of  Brother  Pratt  I  undertook  the  task  of 
assisting  to  collate  and  revise  the  work  preparatory  to  publica- 
tion. I  found,  as  I  expected  it  to  be,  quite  an  undertaking. 
But,  as  Bro.  Parley  brought  the  gospel  to  and  baptized  me,  and 
as  I  have  always  entertained  for  him  the  most  profound  regard, 
I  esteemed  it  a  duty,  due  alike  to  gratitude  and  respect,  to  assist 
in  having  him  properly  presented  before  the  community. 

In  the  revision  the  changes  are  very  few  and  unimportant,  the 
meaning  being  rigidly  adhered  to,  and  the  original,  so  far  as  pos- 
sible, preserved  intact  His  doctrines  and  general  views  are 
left  unchanged,  as  he  was  always  considered  sound  in  doctrinal 
points. 


6  TO     THE    PUBLIC. 

The  multitudinous  reminiscences  manifested  in  his  eventful 
life  exhibit  a  true  and  living  faith  in  God  and  his  religion — an 
honesty  of  purpose,  an  inflexible  will,  and  an  unflagging,  inde- 
fatigable industry  and  perseverance.  He  possessed  a  compre- 
hensive mind,  coujjled  with  a  sound  judgment.  He  manifested 
an  indomitable  fortitude  under  the  most  trying  circumstances, 
and  in  adversity  and  trials,  as  well  as  in  prosperity,  exhibited  an 
example  worthy  of  praise  and  emulation.  He  was  indeed  a  true 
Latter-Day  Saint,  an  honorable  Apostle,  a  good  and  kind  hus- 
band, an  affectionate  father,  a  true  friend,  and  an  honest  man. 

From  various  premonitions  which  he  had  during  his  last  visit 
with  me  in  New  York,  I  was  satisfied  that,  when  I  took  my  last 
sad  leave  of  him  in  that  city,  I  should  never  see  his  face 
again  in  the  flesh.  These  presentiments  were  but  too  speedily 
and  sadly  fulfilled.  He  has  gone — but  has  left  a  name  and  a 
fame  that  will  live  throughout  time  and  burst  forth  in  eternity ; 
and  in  the  morning  of  the  first  resurrection,  when  the  opening 
heavens  shall  reveal  the  Son  of  God,  and  he  shall  proclaim,  "  I 
am  the  resurrection  and  the  life,"  when  Death  shall  deliver  up 
the  dead,  I  expect  to  meet  Bro.  Parley  in  the  resurrection  of 
the  jiLst. 

John  Taylor. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGEf. 


CHAPTER  I.— Parentage:— Childhood:— Youth:— Education:— Early 
Impressions  :— Jouruey  Westward :— Making  a  New  Farm  in 
the  Wilderness  of  Oswego 1'^  to    21 

CHAPTER  II.— Thoughts   on  ReUgion  :— Join  the  Baptist  Church : 

—Strange  Perversion  of  a  Scripture  Promise 22  to    25 

CHAPTER  III.— Reverses:— Loss  of  our  Farm:- Strange   Resolve: 

—Travels    West:— Forest   Life  :— Another  New   Farm 26  to    28 

CHAPTER  IV.— Revisit    Canaan,    N.   T.  :— Interesting    Meeting  :— 

Marriage :— Return    to  my    Forest    Home 29  to    30 

CHAPTER  V. — Our  Home  :— New  Sect  :— Progressive  Rehgious 
Yiews  :  —  Unexpected  Meeting :  —  Dialogue :  —  Forsake  My 
Home:— Jornney  to  New  York  :— Pubhc  Ministry  :— Strange 
Book: — Fkst  Interview   with   a  Latter-Day   Samt 31  to    41 

CHAPTER  VI. — Interestmg  Meetings  : — Second  Interview  -n^th 
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 


Abihties . 


42  to    48 


CHAPTER  VII.— Mission    to    the    Western    States :— Visit    to    the 

■" ludia'usT- 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  Resinned :— Great  Hardships :— Arrival  on  the  Fron- 
tiers   of    Missouri ^^^    ^^ 

CHAPTER  Vin.— Visit  the  Delawares  of  Kansas :— Interview  with 
the   Chief   and    CouncU :— Speech  and   Reply:— Great  Excite- 


8  CONTENTS. 

PAQB8. 

ment : — 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 : — Min- 
istry Among  the  Churches: — False  Spirits: — Inquire  of  the 
Lord : — Mode  of  Receiving  Revelations 5G  to    66 

CHAPTER  IX. — Revelation  on  False  Spirits  :— Ministry  Among  the 
Churches  : — Remarkable  Miracle  of  Healing  : — Arrival  of 
Emigrant  Saints  from  New  York: — Severe   Disappointment..     67  to    71 

CHAPTER  X. — Conference  at    Kirtland: — Revelation   of    the   High 
^"■■"'''■■PTiMClluod : — 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 72  to    77 

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  Yandalia  : — Reception  : — Exposure  in  Crossing  an  Over- 
flowed Bottom  : — Dialogue  : — Hospitahty  of  a  Preacher  : — 
Deaf   Landlord  :— Meet  my  Wife 78  to    84 

CHAPTgS::^^' — Mission  in  Ohio  : — Start  to  Western  Missouri : — 
Incidents  hy  the  Way  : — Discourse  on  Board  a  Steamer  on 
the  Fourth  of  July  : — Its  Effect : — Arrival  on  the  Frontiers  : — 
Farming  : — Extortion  : — Mission  in  Missouri  and  IlUnois  : — 
Treatment  by  Infidels  : — Great  Success  in  Illinois  : — Opposi- 
tion from  Baptist  Ministers  : — Outlines  of  Mr.  Peck's  Speech 
and  my  Reply  : — Result : — Return  Home  : — A  Voice  from 
the   Dead 85  to    98 

CHAPTER  XIII.— Prosperity  of  the  Church :— School  in  Zion:— 
Revelation: — Mob: — Destruction  of  Fruiting  OflBce: — Defence: 
— Prisoners  : — Journey  to  Lexington  : — A  Dream: — Its  Fulfil- 
ment:— Battle: — Defeat  of  tlio  Robbers: — A  Miracle: — De-  * 
fence  Construed  into  Murder : — Gov.  Boggs  and  Militia  Join 
the    Mob: — Church    Driven    from    the   County: — Plunderings 


CONTENTS.  9 

PAGES. 

and  Burnings  : — Insurrections  : — Signs  in  the  Heavens  : — 
Action  of  the  Governor: — Attorney-General  Driven  from 
Court : — Refugees  Settle  in  the  North : — A  Bandit  Chief 
made  Governor 98  to  113 

CHAPTER  XIV.— Labors  in  lOay  County  :— Conference  :— Appoint- 
ment to  a  Tedious  Joiirney: — A  Case  of  Healing: — Arrive 
at  Kirtland  : — Revelation  : — Travel  Eastward,  in  Company 
with  President  Joseph  Smith  : — Conference  in  Geneseo  : — 
Pleasing  Reminiscence: — President  Smith  and  Others  Return 
Home : — Visit  Sackett's  Harbor  : — Crowded  Meeting  : — Re- 
quested to  Visit  the  Sick: — A  Little  Boy  Healed: -^^3^-' 
tisms,  etc. : — Miraculous  Gifts : — Lying  Priests  and  Rabble : — 
Visit  my  Parents  in  jCanaan,  N.  Y. : — Return  to   Kirtland,.   114  to  121 

CHAPTER  XV.— An  Army  :— A  Long  March  :— Recruits  :— A 
Voice  : — Camp  Arrives  in  Missouri : — Delegation  to  the  Go- 
vernor : — Interview  : — Return  to  Camp  : — Council : — Great 
Storm  and  Flood : — A  Battle  Providentially  Prevented  : — 
Cholera  : — Army  Disbanded  : — Sudden  Destruction  : — Labor 
with  my  Hands : — Journey  to  Ohio  : — Labor  and  Ministry  : — 
Accusations: — Repau-  to  Kirtiand  : — Interview  with  the  Pre- 
sident : — His  Action  on  the  Matter  : — Calling  and  Ordination 
of  a  Quorum  of  Twelve  Apostles  : — My  Ordination,  Blessing 
and   Charge : — Charge   to  the   Quorum 122  to  136 

CHAPTER  XVI.— Return  to  New  Portage:— Fire:— Return  to  Kirt- 
land:— Mob: — Journey  Eastward,  as  far  as  Maine: — Return 
to  Boston: — Removal  to  Kirtland: — A  Temple: — School, 
Endowments,  Prophecyings,  Visions,  etc.: — Visit  from  Brother 
H.  C.  Kimball  and  Others : — My  "Wife  Healed  and  Blessed : — 
A  Remarkable  Prophecy  and  its  Fulfilment: — Mission  to 
Canada : — Falls   of  Niagara : — Reflections 137  to  144 

CHAPTER  XVn. — Journey  Resumed  : — Ministry  : — Striking  Answer 
to  Prayer  : — Arrival  at  Toronto  : — John  Taylor  : — Visit  the 
Rehgious  Ministers,  the  Sheriff,  and  the  Pubhc  Market, 
Seeking  for  an  Opening,  but  in  Vain  : — Secret  Prayer  : — About 
to  leave  the  City  — God  Sends  a  Widow  to  Receive  Me  : — 
Great  Faith  : — Eyes  of  the  Blind  Opened  : — Great  Excite- 
ment and  Gainsayings  : — Pubhc  Preacliing  : — Find  a  People 
Prepared  to  Receive  the   Message 145  to  154 


10  CONTENTS. 

PAQBS. 

CHAPTER  XVIII.— Crowded  Meeting  :— Discourse  :— Baptize  the 
People  and  Organize  a  Church: — Spread  of  the  Work: — 
Firat  Visit  to  the  Country  :  ^Opposition  : — Remarkable  Suc- 
cess : — Return  to  Kirtland : — Return  with  my  Wife  to 
Toronto  : — Meetings  at  Mr.  Lamphere's  : — A  Woman  Healed 
and  Evil  Spirits  Rebuked  : — Mr.  Lamareux  : — A  Meeting  : — 
A  Challenge  : — Discussion  Held  in  the  Open  Air  : — Great 
Crowd  : — Opening  Propositions  by  Elder  0.  Hyde  : — Result 
of  the  Discussion 155  to  171 

CHAPTER  XIX. — A  Vision  : — Remarkable  Signs  in  the  Heavens  : 
— A  False  Prophet : — A  Dream  : — Impression  : — Prayer  : — 
Interpretation  Given  in  a  Second  Dream  : — Attend  Mr. 
Caird's  Meeting  : — He  Shows  Himself  to  be  a  Railer  and 
a  Liar  : — We  Challenge  Him  to  an  Investigation  : — He  Visits 
Toronto  : — We  Return  There  : — Continues  His  Opposition  : — 
Refusing  to  Meet  Us: — Great  Meetings: — Excitement: — 
Text : — Summary  of  the  Discourse  Proving  Him  a  False 
Teacher: — He  Retires  to  Private  Life: — Return  to  Kirtland: 
—Birth   of   My  First   Born 172  to  180 

CHAPTER  XX. — Two  Items  of  Prophecy :— Death  of  my  Wife: 
An  Open  Vision  Forewarning  Her  of  Her  Death  : — Burial : 
Description  of  Her  Person  and  Character  : — Reflections : 
Return  to  Canada : — Selection  for  an  English  Mission 
Jarrings  in  the  Church  : — Apostacy  : — Temptation  : — Deliver- 
ance : — Mission  to  New  York  City  : — The  Voice  of  Warn- 
ing : — Its  Success  : — EngUsh  Mission  : — Remarkable  Pro- 
phecy:— Several  Instances  of  Healing: — Spread  of  the 
Work  in  the   City  and   Country 181  to  188 

CHAPTER  XXI. — Remove  to  Missouri : — National  Anniversary  at 
Far  West : — Corner  Stone  of  a  Temple  : — Insurrections  : — 
Defence  : — Attack  on  De  Witt,  Carroll  County : — Mob  Chap- 
lain : — Surrender  and  Flight  of  the  Citizens  of  De  Witt : — 
Action  of  the  Governor  :  —  General  Defence  :  —  Battle  of 
Crooked  River  : — Death  of  Colonel  Patten  : — Defence  Con- 
strued into  Murder  and  Treason  : — Muster  of  State  Forces 
Against  the  "  Mormons,"  with  Orders  for  Extermination  : — 
General  Lucas,  with  Four  Thousand  Men,  Menaces  Far 
West 189  to  202 


CONTENTS.  11 

PAGES. 

CHAPTER  XXII. — Exterminating  Order  i-^-Betrajal  and  Imprison 
ment  of  Joseph  Smith  and  Others  : — Camp  of  the  Enemy : — 
I  I  The  HowUngs  of  the  Damned  : — The  Enemy  Boast  of  the 
Highest  Crimes : — Secret  Inquisitory  Trial  of  the  Prison- 
ers : — Sentence  of  Death  ! — How  Reversed  : — A  Judas  : — 
Surrender  of  Far  "West :  —  Attempt  to  Assassinate  the 
Prisoners  : — Farewell  Scenes  : — Captives  Removed  to  Jack- 
son Coimty  : — General  Clark  Demands  the  Prisoners  : — 
Refusal  to  Surrender  them  : — Cross  the  Missouri  River  : — 
Visitors  : — Preaching  in  Camp  by  President  Smith  : — Arrive 
at  Independence: — Pubhc  Exhibition  of   the    Prisoners 203  to  212 

CHAPTER  XXIIL— Treatment  of  the  Prisoners:— Visit  the  Temple 
Lot : — Gain  my  Freedom  : — Temptation  : — Voluntary  Return 
to  Bondage: — Leave  Independence: — Conduct  of  the  Guards: 
— Fall  into  the  Hands  of  Col.  Price  and  Guards: — Arrive 
at  Richmond: — Chains: — Interview  with  Gen.  Clark: — Dia- 
logue : — Inconceivable   Absurdities 21 3  to  218 

CHAPTER  XXIV.— Massacre  at  Haun's   MiU 219  to  224 

CHAPTER  XXV. — Speech  of  Major-General  Clark,  Delivered  at 
Far  West  while  its  Citizens  were  held  as  Prisoners,  No- 
vember,   1838 225  to  226 

CHAPTER  XXVI. — The  Prisoners  : — Second  Interview  with  Gene- 
ral Clark: — Inquisition: — Sickness  of  Elder  Rigdon: — Colonel 
Price  and  Guards: — ^Their^  Conduct;— Rebuke_,_by_  Joseph 
Smith: — Trial: — Similarity  between  King  Herod  and  Go- 
vernor Boggs : — Judge  Austin  A.  King  in  Open  Court 
Threatens  a  "Wholesale  Extermination  of  the  "Mormons:" — 
Other  Prisoners  Obtained  by  Stratagem  : — Advice  of  General 
Doniphan,  Attorney  for  the  Prisoners  : — Decision  : — Disposal 
of  the  Prisoners  : — Fhght  of  the  Church  to  IlUnois  : — Con- 
duct of  the   Outlaws  : — My   Family  Visits  me   in  Prison. ...   227  to  134 

CHAPTER  XXVIL— Legislative  Action  on  the  Subject 235  to  237 

CHAPTER  XXVIIL— Joseph  Smith  and  his  Fellow  Prisoners  in 
Clay  County  : — Mock  Trial  in  the  County  of  Davies  : — Final 
Escape  : — Their   Arrival   in    Illinois 238  to  244 


12  CONTENTS. 

PAGES. 

CHAPTER  XXIX.— Farewell  Scenes  :— Departure  of  the  Last  Rem- 
nant of  the  Exiles  : — Court : — Release  of  Two  of  the  Prison- 
ers : — Reflections  in  Prison 245  to  250 

CHAPTER  XXX.— Letter .  to  Judge  Austin  A.   King 251  to  254 

CHAPTER  XXXI.— The  Prison:— Fare  :— Conduct  of  the  Guards: 
— A  Strange  Couple : — My  Wife  Visits  the  Prison  : — Fasting 
and  Prayer: — An  Important  Question: — Vision: — A  Minis- 
tering Spirit: — The  Question  Answered: — Visit  from  Judge 
King  : — Change  of  Venue : — Handcuffs  : — Departure  from  the 
Prison: — Journey: — Arrival  in  Columbia,  Boone  County: — 
Enter  Another  Prison: — Treatment: — Arrival  of  Friends: — 
News  from  my  Family: — Impressions  of  the  Spirit: — Plan 
and  Preparations  for  Escape  : — Fourth  of  July  Celebration : — 
Flag: — Pubhc  Dmner: — Now's  the  Day: — Our  Friends  take 
Leave  : — Rendezvous 255  to  270 

CHAPTER  XXXIL — Description  of  the  Prison :— Ladies  in  the 
Prison: — Evening  of  a  Public  Day: — Song: — Obstinate  Coffee 
Pot: — Order  of  Attack: — Escape: — Race: — Great  Excite- 
ment:— Our  Friends  in  the  Thicket: — Prisoners  Gain  the 
Thicket : — FHght : — Encounter  : — Climb  a  Tree  : — Faint : — 
Prayers  : — Night  Favors  us  at  Last : — Loss  of  my  Horse  : — 
Journey  on  Foot : — Reflections 271  to280 

CHAPTER  XXXIII.— Dawn :— Bewildered  in  a  Forest :— Beautiful 
Valley: — Escape  of  Phelps: — Dialogue: — His  Final  Escape 
and  Arrival  in  IlUnois: — Fate  of  our  Two  Friends: — Inter- 
view between  my  Brother  Orson  and  my  "Wife : — She  Pre- 
pares for  my  Reception: — Disappointment: — Excitement: — 
Search: — Suspense: — Scenes  at  the  Prison: — Treatment  of 
Mrs.  Phelps: — Mr.  FoUett  Retaken: — His  Return  to  Prison: — 
Chains: — Escape  of  Mrs.  Phelps: — Finale  of  Luman  and 
Phila 281  to  289 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. — Reminiscence  : — Resume  my  "Wanderings  : — 
Lost  Again  : — Storm  : — Conversation  : — Suspicious  Characters  : 
— Lost  in  a  Swamp  : — Strange  River  : — Retrace  my  Steps  : — 
Cross  the  River  : — "Wild  Scenery  : — Strange  Bedfellow  : — 
Dawn : — Reach     the     Mississippi : — Cross    the     River    in    a 


CONTENTS.  13 

FA6ES. 

Canoe :— Land  on  an  Island  :— Entangled  in  the  Thickets  :— 
Reembaik  : — Land  in  Illmois  : — An  Old  Acquaintance: — 
Arrive  at  Quincy 290  to  310 

CHAPTER  XXXV.— Opinions  of  the  Press:— Extracts  from  the 
"Columbia  Patriot:" — "Banner  of  Liberty:" — "Boone's  Lick 
Democrat :"— "  Saturday  News :"— "  Missouri  Repubhcan :" — 
"New  York  Sun:" — "Quincy  Argus:" — Mmutes  of  a  Public 
Meeting  in  Quincy: — "New  York  Commercial  Advertiser;" — 
Public   Meeting   in   New  York:— Closing   Remarks 311  to  322 

CHAPTER  XXXVL— Congratulations  :— Remove  to  Nauvoo  :— Meet 
jvvith_^esidenlSnutfc.aad  -Other  .EeUow  Sufferers :— President 
Smith^,, Reproof  for  the  Elder8^:—Toils:— Start  for  England: 

Arrival  in  Detroit: — Visit  my  Brother  Anson  and  Parents: 

Arrive    in    New   York: — Visit  Philadelphia  and  "Washing- 
ton:—Meet  President  Smith  :— Great  Meeting :— Preaching  by 
V             S.   Rigdon   and  President    Smith  :— Success  in  New  York  :— 
\         Farewell   Song :— Sail  for  England :— Reflections 323  to  334 

CHAPTER  XXXVIL— General  Conference  at  Preston,  England  :— 
Pubhshing  Committee: — Editorial  Appointment: — First  Num- 
ber of  the  "  Millennial  Star  "  Issued : — My  own  Ministry  in 
Manchester  and  Vicinity :— New  Hymn  Book:— Action  of 
Congress  on  the  Missouri  Tragedies 335  to  340 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. — General  Conference  at  Manchester  :— Ordi- 
nations and  Appointments  :— Return  to  New  York  : — Meet 
with  my  Family  : — Visit  to  the  State  of  Maine  : — A  Dream 
and  its  Fulfilment: — Embark  Again  for  England: — Conse- 
quence of  Looking  Back: — Safe  Arrival  in  England: — 
Resume    the    Editorial  Duties  : — Reflections 341  t  j  345 

CHAPTER  TYXTX. — Visit  and  Ministry  in  Bolton :— Conduct  of 
two  Methodist  Priests  :— Arrest  and  Trial :— Emigration  :— 
General  Conference  at  Manchester :— Council  of  the  Twelve : 
— Charter  the  ship  "  Tyrean:"-"  Philosophy  of  the  Re- 
surrection:"—Emigration  on  the  Ship  "  Chaos:"— Visit  to 
the  Isle    of    Man  : — ^Visit  to  Norwich  : — Mob 346  to  355 

CHAPTER  XL. — Notice  for  a  General  Conference  : — Extract  of  a 
Letter  from  Elder  Orson  Hyde  in  Jerusalem  : — Extracts  from 
my  Farewell  Address 356  to  360 


14  CONTENTS. 

FAfiES. 

CHAPTER  XLI. — ^Vessels  Chartered: — Emigration: — Sail  for  New 
Orleans  on  the  "Emerald:" — Passage: — Land  in  New 
Orleans :  —  Charter  of  a  Steamer :  —  Historical  Letter :  — 
Journey  and  Arrival  at  Nauvoo :  —  Mission  with  Joseph 
Smith  :— Visit  to  Chester 361  to  366 

CHAPTER  XLn. — Miscellaneous  "Writings  : — Mission  to  the  East: — 
Impressions  of  the  Spirit : — Martj-rdom  of  Joseph  and 
Hyrum  Smith  : — Spirit  of  Exultation  : — Return  to  Nauvoo  : 
—Sidney    Rigdon    Disfellowshipped 367  to  373 

CHAPTER  XLni.—  Eastern  Mission  :  —Return  :  — Mobocracy  :  — 
Labor  in  the  Temple  : — Expulsion  from  Nauvoo  : — Cross  the 
Mississippi: — Garden  Grove: — Mount  Pisga: — Council  Bluffs: 
— Mormon  Battalion  : — "Winter  Quarters  : — Mission  to  England 
with  Elders  Orson  Hyde  and  John  Taylor : — Conference  at 
Manchester  : — Tour  through  the  Kingdom 374  to  386 

CHAPTER  XLIY.— An  Apostle  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ, 
of  Latter-Day  Saints,  was  in  the  Island  of  Cfreai  Britain 
for  the  GospeVs  sake ;  and  being  in  the  Spirit  on  the  24th 
of  November,  1846,  addressed  the  follovnng  words  of  comfort 
to  his  dearly  beloved  Wife  and  Family,  dicelling  in  tents, 
in  the  Camp  of  Israel,  at  Council  Bluffs,  Missouri  Territory, 
North  America ;  where  they  and  twenty  thousand  others  were 
banished  by  the  civilized  Christians  of  the  United  States  for 
the    Word  of  God    and  the   Testimony  of  Jesus 387  to  393 

CHAPTER  XLV.— Return  ynXh.  Elder  John  Taylor  to  America:— 
Arrival  at  "Winter  Quarters: — Camp  Starts  for  the  Rocky 
Mountains :  —  Meet  the  Pioneers :  —  Arrival  in  Great  Salt 
Lake  Valley :— Visit    to   Utah   and    Great  Salt  Lake 394  to  403 

CHAPTER  XLA'I.— Spring  of  1848  :— Scarcity  of  Provisions  :— 
"Harvest  Peast:"' — Arrival  of  President  Young  and  Com- 
pany : — Gold    Fever  : — Explore    Southern   Utah 404  to  413 

CHAPTER  XLVII.— Start  on  my  Pacific  Mission :— Sketch  of  the 
Journey: — Attacked  by  Indians: — Crossing  the  Desert: — 
Arrival  at  Los  Angelos 414  to  426 

CHAPTER  XLVin.— Los  Angelos  :— Catholic  Celebration  of  Corpus 
Christi : —  Arrival  in  San  Francisco  : —  Letter  to  President 
Brigham  Young  : — Family  Letter 427  to  439 


CONTENTS.  15 

FACES. 

CHAPTER    XLIX.— Valparaiso  :  —  Quillota  :—  Letter    to    President 

Brigham   Young 440  to  451 

CHAPTER  L. — Arrival  in  San  Francisco: — Return  to  Salt  Lake 
City: — Second  Mission  to  the  Pacific: — Articles  from  the 
Press 452  to  465 

CHAPTER  LI.— Reply  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Briggs  on  the  Subject 
of  the  Expediency  of  the  Reappointment  of  His  Excellency 
Governor  Young,  of  Utah 466  to  473 

CHAPTER  LII. — Statements  Pertaining  to  the  History  of  Joseph 
Smith: — Return  to  Utah: — Home  Mission: — Attend  the 
Legislature  at  Fillmore  : — The  Standard  of  Zion  : — Return 
to   Salt  Lake  City 474  to  483 

CHAPTER  LIII.— Journal   of   Eastern   Mission 484  to  494 

CHAPTER  LIV.— Family  Letters  :  —  "  My  Fiftieth  Year  :"  —  Re- 
sponse   by  John    Taylor 495  to  502 


APPENDIX i 

GENEALOGY ^y 


CHAPTER    I. 

Parentage :  — Childhood :  — Youth  :  —  Education  :  —  EarW  Impressions  : — Journey 
"Westv\-ard : — Making   a   Xew  Farm   in   the  Wilderness   of   Oswego. 

T)AELET  PAEKEE  PEATT,  the  subject  and  author 
-^  of  these  sketches,  and  third  son  of  Jared  and  Charity 
Pratt,  of  Canaan,  Cohimbia  County,  New  York,  was  born 
April  12,  1807,  hi  Bm-hngton,  Otsego  County,  is^.  Y.* 

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  him- 
self diligently,  by  stem  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  om-  Father  in  Heaven,  Jesus 
Christ,  His  prophets  and  Apostles,  as  well  as  the  Scriptures 
wTitten  by  them;  wliile  at  the  same  time  he*  belonged  to 
no  religious  sect,  and  was  careful  to  preserve  his  children 
li-ee  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  worsliip,  vrith  Presbyterians, 
Baptists  and  Methodists  in  turn,  or,  as  circumstances  ren- 
dered convenient — having  equal  respect  for  these  several 
forms  of  worship  and  their  adherents.  Though  my  father 
did  sometimes  manifest  a  decided  disapprobation   of  a  hire- 

*  For  genealogj-  iu  full  see  Appendix. 
2 


18  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     I'AKLEY     P.     PRATT. 

ling  clergy,  who  seemed,  in  liis  estimatiou,  to  prefer  the 
learning  and  -vrisdoin  of  man  to  the  gifts  and  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

His  means  to  edncate  his  children  were  very  limited; 
but  that  excellent  systeiu  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  foimdation   of  literatm-e  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  leisiu'e  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  se^^itude,  his  temptation  and  exaltation ; 
his  kindness  and  affection  for  his  father  and  brethren. 
All  this  inspii'ed  me  with  love,  and  with  the  noblest 
sentiments  ever  phmted  in  the  bosom  of   man. 

I  read  of  David  and  Goliah  ; — of  Saul  and  Samuel  ; — 
of  Samson  and  the  Philistines  : — aU  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  ftiU  at  the  feet  of 
Jesus ;    to   worship  him,  or  to  offer  my  life  for   his. 

At  about  twehe  years  of  age  I  read  of  the  first  resur- 
rection, as  described  by  John  the  Apostle,  in  the  20th 
chap,  of  his  Revelations  ;  how  they,  martyrs  of  Jesus,  and 
those  who  kept    his  commandments   would   liA'e    and  reign 


AUTOBIOGBAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       19 

with  Christ  it  thoiusaud  years,  while  the  rest  of  tlie  dead 
lived  uot  agam  till  the  thousand  years  were  euded.  O, 
what  an  impression  this  made  on  my  mind ;  I  retired  to 
rest  alter  an  evening  spent  in  this  wayj  but  I  eould  not 
sleep.  I  felt  a  longing  desire  and  an  inexpressible  anxiety 
to  secme  to  myself  a  part  in  a  resvuTection  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  graxe 
and  be  renovated,  tilled  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  si^irit  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  gentle- 
man by  the  name  of  YN'illiam  S.  Herrick. 

TIms  gentleman  and  his  family  were  exemplary  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Chm-ch ;  and  better,  kinder,  or  more 
agreeable  people  are  seldom  met  with  in  this  wicked  world. 
They  treated  me  as  if  I  had  been  an  oidy  son,  instead  of 
a  hired  servant. 

I  was  with  them  eight  ■  months,  during  which  time 
our  mutual  affection  for  eacli  other  increased;  and  I  felt 
grieved  when  my  time  expii-ed  and  duty  called  me  elsewhere. 

During  the  whiter  follo^^ing,  being  in  the  sixteenth  year 
of  my  age,  I  boarded  with  one  of  my  aunts  (my  fathers 
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  oppoituiuty  to 

-  improve   my  education   by  any  means,  except    my  own    un- 

-  aided  exertion — at  least  for  many  years. 

In  this  school,  by  close  application,  I  ma<le  such  extra- 
ordinary progress  that  the  teacher  often  spoke  of  me  to  the 


20       AUTOBIOGRA.PHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

whole  school,  and  exhorted  them  to  learn  as  Parley  Pratt 
did ; — said  he  (to  some  of  them  who  were  more  loud  of 
mischief  than  of  study),  if  you  would  learn  as  he  does, 
you  would  become  men  of  wisdom  and  talent  in  the  world ; 
])ut  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  ])revious  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  to^v^l  situated  on  Lake 
Ontario,  in  the  State  of  New  York.  We  pm^chased  seventy 
acres  of  land,  which  was  covered  Avitli  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  vrith  in- 
terest— 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  oiu*  next  installment. 

The  next  spring  found  me  in  the  employment  of  a  wealthy 
farmer,  by  the  name  of  Eliphet  Bristol,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  my  aunt  Van  Cott's.  Here  I  experienced  no  kind- 
ness ;  no  friendship  from  my  employer  or  his  family.  I 
always  commenced  work  before  sunrise,    and  continued   till 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       21 

(lark ;  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,  TTo/A-  /  Work  !  WORK !  you  are  hired  to 
work.  A  man  that  is  j)aid  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  suflicient.  He 
needs  no  kindness,  no  affection,  no  smiles,  no  encourage- 
ment of  any  kind.  Such  was  their  spirit  towards  me  dur- 
ing this  eight  months  of  toil.  I  was  glad  when  the  time 
exi)ired ;  I  felt  like  one  released  fiom  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  instalhnent  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  oui-  board.  It  was  a  cold, 
snow^  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 
smrounded  with  a  fence  of  rails,  and  planted  with  wheat 
and  Indian  corn,  being  in  hopes  to  meet  the  next  j)ay- 
meut  Avith  the  avails  of  our  harvest. 


CHAPTER    II. 

Thoughts    on    Rehgion: — Jom    the   Baptist   Church: — Sti'ange   Perversion   of   a 
Scriptiu'e   Promise. 

T"T  was  during"  these  toils  in  the  wiklerness  that  my  mind 
-*-  was  drawn  out  from  tiaie  to  time  on  tlie  things  of  God 
and  eternity.  I  felt  deeply  anxious  to  he  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  Bai>tists  who 
had  em])loyed  one  W.  A.  Scranton  for  their  minister  5  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  to- 
gether in  the  forest:  "Father,  how  is  it  there  is  so  manifest 
a  difference  between  the  ancient  and  modern  discii)les  of 
Jesus  Cluist  aud  their  doctruies  ?  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  (liscijde, 
Peter  or  his  brethren  would  have  said  to  me,  '•  liepent  and 
he  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  for  REMISSION  OF 
SINS,  and  you  SHALL  receive  tlie  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.''  I 
should  then  have  known  definitely  and  jjrecisely  what  to  do 
to  be  saved.  Whereas,  noic  we  go  to  the  religious  minister 
for  instruction,  and  he  tells  us  we  must  experience  a  mys- 
terious, 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 


r. 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       23 

ill  his  own  due  time,  foi'  his  owii  elect;  and  that  we  can 
do  nothing  acceptably  till  this  is  done.  That  even  our 
jirayers  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  beUeve  in  Jesus ;  1 
wish  to  serve  him  and  keep  his  commandments;  1  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  t6  the  Methodists  it  is  the  same.  And  if  I  go  to  the 
Baptists  they  will  not  baptize  me  for  renmsion  of  »im,  that 
I  may  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  but  they  will  re- 
quue  of  me  to  relate  an  experie)we,  and  to  tell  of  some  time 
and  place  where  I  had  already  experienced  that  which  I  am 
oiily  seeking  for,  and  have  not  found.  This,  of  course,^! 
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,  transgiess  the 
lav/,  or  break  the  covenant  of  the  everlasting  gospel  I 
Such  were  my  thoughts. 

I  still  continued  to  ])onder  upon  these  things,  and  to 
search  the  Scriptures  to  learn  how  to  be  saved.  I  found 
the  same  principles  and  practice  tliroughout  the  history  of 
the  Apostles,  the  Jews,  Samaritans,  Gentiles,  Ephesiaus, 
Corinthians,  Romans,  the  l^^thiopian  eunuch,  Saul  of  Tarsus, 
the  jailor  and  his  household,  all  were  baptised  when  they 
beUeved  in  Jesus  Christ  and  repented  of  their  sins;  and 
this  as  an  ordinance  connected  with  remission  of  their 
shis  and  the  gift  of  tlie  Holy  Ghost.  What,  then,  should 
I  do '?    Where  lind  one  who  was  commissioned  from  heaven, 


24       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  would  administer  salvation  to  me!  I  could  only  go 
to  the  Baptists ;  but  I  lacked  that  "  experience  of  re- 
ligmi^^  which  they  always  required.  However,  I  resolved 
to  try. 

1  accordingly  appeared  before  tliem  at  their  monthly 
meeting,  or  council,  and  requested  to  be  bai)tized;  they 
inquired  into  my  experience ;  I  related  to  them  my  firm 
belief  in  Christ,  and  my  Avisli  to  serve  God,  without  being 
able  to  tell  them  of  any  particular  expeiience  of  religion. 
They  finally  consulted  together  5  and  caiue  to  the  conclusion 
that  I  had  been  converted,  whether  1  knew  it  myself  or 
not,  and  a  time  was  appointed  for  my  baptism — a  month  or 
two  thence.  Here  I  again  realised  the  difference.  In  an- 
cient 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  aU 
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  inqiured  of  him  what 
Jesus  meant  when  he  said,  "  these  signs  shall  foUow  them 
that  believe."  He  replied,  that  it  meant  these  signs  should 
follow  the  Apostles  only. 

This  did  not  satisfy  me;  for  it  was  a  plain  and  manifest 
perversion  of  common  sense  and  language  easy  to  be  un- 
derstood. It  was  as  much  as  to  say:  Go  ye  into  aU  the 
world  and  i)reach  the  gospel  to  the  Apostles ;  and  the 
Apostles  that  believe  and  are  baptised  sliall  be  saved ;  and 
the  Apostles  that  believe  not  shall   be  damned ;    and  these 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


25 


signs  shall  follow  the  Apo.stles  that  believe.  Thus,  by  logi- 
cal cousisteucy,  coutiiiiiig-  the  whole  commissiou  and  gospel 
to  the  Apostles,  with  all  its  benelits,  by  the  same  rule 
that  we  would  couhue  the  promise  of  the  sigus  following  to 
them. 


CHAPTER    III. 

Reverses: — Loss    of    our    Farm: — Strange    Resolve: — Travels    West: — Forest 
Life: — Another   New   Farm. 

rpiME  passed ;  liarvest  came ;  a  fine  crop,  but  no  market ; 
-L  and  consequently  the  pajTuent  came  due  on  our  land 
and  there  was  no  means  of  pa;yTnent. 

The  winter  rolled  roimd;  spring  came  again;  and  with  it 
a  j)rosecution  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Morgan  for  money  due  on 
land. 

The  consequence  was  that  all  oiu-  hard  earnings,  and  all 
our  improvements  in  the  ^vilderness,  were  wrested  fi'om  us 
in  a  moment.  Mr.  Morgan  retained  the  land,  the  improve- 
ments 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  AVayne  county,  N.  Y.,  and  in  the  autumn  of  182G 
I  resolved  to  bid  farewell  to  the  civilized  world — where  I 
had  met  with  little  else  but  disappointment,  sorrow  and 
imrewarded  toil ;  and  where  sectarian  divisions  disg-usted 
and  ignorance  perjjlexed  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  vriii  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  aits 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PEATT. 


d) 


of  peace;  to  hate  war,  to  love  his  neighbor,  to  fear  and 
love  God,  and  to  cultivate  the  eaith.  Such  were  my  reso- 
lutions. 

In  October,  182G,  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  laaid  at  Erie,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  from  whence  I  travelled  by  land  till  I  came  to  a 
small  settlement  about  thii'ty  miles  west  of  Cleveland,  in 
the  State  of  Qhio.  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  im- 
practicable. 

Alone  in  a  land  of  strangers,  without  home  or  money, 
and  not  yet  twenty  years  of  age,  I  became  discour- 
aged, and  concluded  to  stop  for  the  winter ;  I  pro- 
duced 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  stiaw 
in  my  cabin  served  for  my  lodging,  and  a  good  fire  kept 
me  warm.  A  stream  near  my  door  quenched  my  thirst; 
and  fat  a  enison,  with  a  little  bread  from  the  settlements, 
sustained  me  for  food.  The  storms  of  Mdnter  raged  around 
me ;  the  wind  shook  the  forest,  the  Avolf  howled  in  the 
distance,  and  the  owl  chimed  in  harshly  to  comi^lete  the 
doleful  music  which  seemed  to  sooth  me,  or  bid  me  welcome  ; 
to  this  holy  retreat.  But  in  my  httle  cabin  the  fire  blazed 
l)leasantly,  and  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  a  few  other  books  ; 
occupied    my  horns  of    solitude.     Among  the  few  books   in  ' 


28 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PKATT. 


my  cabin,  were  McKeiizie's  travels  iu  the  Northwest,  and 
Lewis  and  Chirk\s  tonr  up  the  Missouri  and  dowTi  the 
Cohmibia  rivers. 

Spring-  came  on  again ;  the  woods  were  pleasant,  the 
llowers  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  agam  bargained 
for  a  piece  of  forest  land ;  again  promised  to  pay  in  a 
few  yeais,  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  retiun  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.     Y.  : — 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, 
durmg  this  time,  exchanged  the  features  of  the  bashful 
boy  for  those  of  the  man ;  smd,  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  un- 
known. 

With  a  quick  step,  a  beating  heart,  and  an  intense,  in- 
describable 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  re- 
treat where  I  had  spent  the  previous  ^vinter ;  and  the 
preparations  I  had  made  for  a  future  home.    I  also  opened 


30 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


my  religious  views  to  her,  and  my  desire,  which  1  some- 
times had,  to  try  and  teach  the  red  mau. 

"  In  Aiew  of  all  these  things,"  said  I  to  her,  *'  If  you  still 
love  me  and  desire  to  share  my  fortime  you  are  worthy 
to  be  my  wife.  If  not,  we  will  agree  to  be  fiiends  for- 
ever ;  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  repau'ed  to  my  aunt's — found  the  usual  welcome.  xy:ter 
visiting  my  mother  and  kindred,  for  a  few  days,  I  saw 
my  old  fi'iend  William  S.  Herrick,  where  I  had  been  em- 
ployed 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  re- 
ception as  formerly. 

On  the  9th  of  September,  1827,  Parley  P.  Pratt  and 
Thankful  Halsey  were  solemnly  united  in  the  bonds  of 
matiimony,  l)y  Elder  Palmer,  Minister  of  the  Baptist 
Ch^u•ch,  in   Canaan,   Columbia  County,   ]S^.  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  i\\)  Lake  Erie 
we  landed  in  safety  at  the  mouth  of  Black  Elver,  in  Ohio, 
and  within  ten  miles  of  my  place.  jly  wife  had  some 
money,  which  we  paid  in  for  the  land  I  had  piu'chased. 
The  following  spring  found  me  I'l  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. 


roRKST   HOME. 


(CHAPTER     Y. 

Our  Home: — New  Sect: — Progressive  Religious  Views: — Unexpected  Meet- 
ing:— Dialogue: — Forsake  My  Home: — Journey  to  New  York: — Public 
Ministry: — Strange   Book: — First   Interview   with   a   Latter-Day  Saint. 

I7IGHTEEX  iiiouths  had  passed  siuce  our  settlemeut  iu 
-*— '  the  wilderness.  The  forest  had  been  displaced  by. the 
hibors  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  win- 
dows ;  while  in  the  background  were  seen  a  thriving 
young  orchard  of  apple  and  jjeach  trees,  and  fields  of 
grain  extending  in  the  distance,  beyond  which  the  forest 
still  stood  uj)  in  its  own  i)rimeval  grandeur,  as  a  wall  to 
boimd  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  sjiot  where  two  years  before  I  had  lived 
for  months  without  seeing  a  hiuuan  being.  About  this 
time  one  Mr.  Sidney  Eigdon  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  dis- 
sented from  the  regular  Baptists,  from  whom  they  differed 
much  in  doctrine.  At  lengtli  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  c»f  sins,  with  tlie  promise  of  the  gift  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  all  who  would  come  forward,  with  all  their 
hearts,  and  obey  this  doctrine ! 


32       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

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  hnk 
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  g-ift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  because 
he  was  commissioned  so  to  do  by  a  crucified  and  risen 
Saviour.  But  who  is  Mr.  Eigdou !  Who  is  Mr.  Campbell  ? 
Who  commissioned  them?  Who  baptized  them  for  remis- 
sion of  sins?  A¥ho  ordaiued  them  to  stand  up  as  Peter? 
Of  coiu\se  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,  fi^om  the  very  fact  that  they  were  now  living 
in  the  perversion  of  some,  and  the  entke  neglect  of  others 
of  these  ordinances;  this  being  the  very  ground  of  differ- 
ence between  the  old  Baptists  and  these  Reformers. 

Again,  these  Reformers  claimed  no  new  commission  by 
revelation,  or  vision  fi^om  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. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       33 

About  this  time  I  took  it  upon  mc  to  imi)art  to  my 
neighbors,  from  time  to  time,  both  in  public  aud  iu  private, 
the  light  I  liad  received  from  the  Scriptures  concerning 
the  gospel,  and  also  concerning  the  fulfilment  of  the  things 
spoken  hj  the  holy  prophets.  I  did  not  claim  any 
authority  as  a  minister  5  I  felt  the  lack  in  this  respect; 
but  I  felt  in  duty  bound  to  eidighten  mankind,  so  far  as '  ■ 
God  had   enlightened  me.  j 

At  the  commencement  of  1830,  I  felt  drawn  out  iu  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  pro])hecies  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  aud  mankind  on  these  subjects  that 
I  coidd  exclaim  with  the  i^rophet :  siu-ely,  '^  darkness  covers  J^- 
the  earth,   and  gross   darhmss   the  peopled 

I  was  all  swallowed  up  in  these  things.  I  felt  con- 
strained 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  ISew  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 

3 


34       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

was  then  residing  about  ten  miles  from  me.  On  hearing 
this  I  ran  neariy  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  hard- 
ships and  toils  of  a  new  country  for  years,  and  at  last 
found  ourselves  together  about  six  hundred  miles  from 
oiu"   starting  point. 

Tliis  was  a  joy  fill  and  unexpected  meeting  of  two  broth- 
ers. He  immediately  accompanied  me  home,  and  was  in- 
troduced to  my  wife  and  our  little  farm  in  the  wilder- 
ness, 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  sui^mse,  and  somewhat  of  disappointment.  I  then 
unfolded  to  him  the  gospel  and  .  i)rophecies  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  con- 
tented 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  flue  or- 
chard, a  beautiful  garden,  Avith  meadow  land,  grain,  and 
above  all,  such  ])eautiful  flowers  and  so  valuable  a  house- 
keeper 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  jnight  go  on  its  own 
jog,   and  its  own  way,  for  aU  me.      Besides,  how  are  you 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PABLEY  P.  PRATT.       35 

to  get  your  living  f '  This  is  yoiir  all ;  you  have  toiled 
for  years  to  obtain  it,  and  why  not  now  continue  to 
eujoj'  it  ?"  "  William,"  said  I,  "  I  see  plainly  you  know 
but  little  of  my  circumstances — of  the  changes  which  have 
taken  place  with  me  since  we  j)arted  five  yeais  ago, 
nor  how  vastly  wealthy  I  have  become  within  that  time. 
Why,  sir,  I  liaAC  bank  bills  enough,  on  the  ^ery  best 
institutions  in  the  world,  to  sustain  myself  and  family 
whOe  we  live." 

"  Indeeil,''  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  uidocked  my  treasury  and  drew  from  thence  a 
large  ])ocket  book,  full  of  promissory  notes  like  the  follow- 
ing :  "  Whoever  shaJl  forsnJce  father  or  mother,  brethren  or  sw- 
ters,  houses  or  lands,  wife  or  children,  for  my  salie  and  the 
gospeVs,  shall  receive  an  hundred  fold  in  this  life,  ami  in  the 
tcorld  to  come  life  everlasting.''^  "  If  ye  abide  in  me,  and 
my  words  abide  in  you,  yon  shall  ash  what  yon  will  in  my 
name  and  I  will  give  it  you.''''  "  All  things  are  possible  to 
him  that  believeth.^^ 

"  ]S"ow,  William,"  said  I,  "  are  these  the  words  of  Jesus 
Christ,  or  are  they  not  V'  "  They  certaudy  are,"  said 
he,   "  I  always  believed  the  New  Testament." 

"  Then  you  admit  they   are   genuine  bills  I" 

"I  do." 

''  Is   the  signer  able  to   meet  his   engagements  ?" 

''  He  certaiidy   is." 

"  Is  he  willing  f ' 

''He  is." 

"  Well,  then,  [  aiii  going  to  fulfil  the  conditions  to  the 
letter  on  my  part.  I  feel  called  ui)on  by  the  Holy 
Ghost  to    forsake    my    house    and    home    for    the    gospel's 


36       AUTOBIOGRA-PHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

sake;   and  I  mil    do  it,    placin,'    both    feet    tirm  oa    these 
promises  with  nothing  else  to  rely  upon." 
"  If  I  sink,  they  are  false." 

uif  I  am  sustained,  they  are  true.  I  Avill  pnt  them  to 
the  test.  Experiment  shall  now  establish  the  truth  ot 
Christ's  promises,   or  the  truth  of  infideUty." 

a  Well"  said  he,  "try  it,  if  you  will;  but,  for  my  part, 
although  I  always  believed  the  Bible,  I  would  not  dare 
believe  it  UteraUy,  and  reaUy  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  ^vith  my  life. 

In  August  l.s:>0,  I  had  closed  my  business,  completed 
ray  arrangements,  and  we  bid  adieu  to  our  .vilderness 
home  and  never  saw  it  afterwards. 

On  settling  up,  at  a  gTeat  sacrifice  of  property,  we  had 
about  ten  dollars  left  hi  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  Spmt. 

We  made  our  way  to  Cleveland,  30  miles.  We  then 
took  passage  on  a  schooner  for  Buifalo,  a  distance  ot  200 
miles  We  had- a  fan-  wind,  and  the  captain,  being  short 
of  hands,  gave  me  the  helm,  the  sails  being  aU  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  Buifalo,  we  engaged 
our  passage  for  Albany  on  a  canal  boat,  distance  360  mdes. 
This,  including  board,  cost  all  our  money  and  some  articles 

of  clothing.  ' 

Arriving  at  Rochester,  I  informed  my  wife  that,  not- 
withstandmg  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  tG   me.     I    said    to   her,    "we  part 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       37 

for  a  season ;  go  and  visit  oiu'  friends  in  our  native  place ; 
1  will  conic  soon^  but  how  soon  I  know  not ;  for  1  liave 
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  (;ouie  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  op])ose  the  things  man- 
ifest to  me  by  His  spirit. 

She,  therefore,  consented;  and  I  accompanied  her  as  far 
as  Newark,  a  small  towai  upwards  of  100  miles  irom 
Buffalo,   and  then  took  leave  of  her,  and  of  the  boat. 

It  was  early  in  the  morning,  just  at  the  dawn  of  day, 
1  walked  ten  miles  into  the  country,  and  stopped  to  break- 
fast with  a  Mr.  Wells.  I  proposed  to  i)reach  in  the 
evening.  Mr.  Wells  readily  accompanied  me  tlirough  the 
neighborhood  to  visit  the  ]>eople,  and  circulate  the  ai)- 
pointment. 

We  visited  an  old  Baptist  deacon  by  the  name  of  Ham- 
lin. After  hearing  of  our  api)ointment  for  evening,  he 
began  to  tell  of  a  hoolc,  a  strange  book,  a  VERY 
STRANGE  BOGKi  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  pe- 
rusal of  it,  at  his  house  the  next  day,  if  I  woiUd  call. 
I  felt  a  strange  interest  in  the  book.  I  preached  that 
evening  to  a  small  audience,  who  ai)peared  to  be  interest- 
ed in  the  truths  which  I  endeavored  to  unfold  to  them 
in  a  clear  and  lucid  manner  from  the  Scrij^tures.  Next 
morning  I  called  at  his  house,  where,  for  the  first  time, 
my  eyes  beheld  the   "BOOK    OF    MORMON,"— that  book 


38        AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

of  books — tliat  record  which  reveals  the  antiquities  of  the 
^^  Xeiv  World^^  back  to  the  remotest  a<;es,  and  wJiich  un- 
fokls  the  destiny  of  its  people  and  the  world  for  all  time 
to  come; — that  Book  which  contains  the  fidness  of  the 
gospel  of  a  crucihed  and  risen  Eedeemer ; — that  Book  which 
reveals  a  lost  remnant  of  Joseph,  and  which  Avas  the  prin- 
cipal means,  in  the  hands  of  God,  of  directing  the  enthe 
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,  fen-  I  i^re- 
ferred  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  jjlaiu- 
ly  and  manifestly  as  a  man  comprehends  and  knows  that 
he  exists.  My  joy  was  now  full,  as  it  were,  and  I  re- 
joiced sufficiently  to  more  than  pay  me  for  all  the  sor- 
rows, sacrifices  and  toUs  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  inquii^ed 
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  inquu-ed  of  him  for  Mr.  Joseph 
Smith,  the  translator  of  the  "  Book  of  Mormon.''''  He  in- 
formed me  that  he  now  resided  in  Pennsylvania  5  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  jour- 
ney ;  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 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       39 

to  liis  liouse,  aud  we  spent  tbe  night  together ;  for  neither 
of  us  felt  disi^osed  to  sleep.  AVe  conversed  most  of  the 
night,  diu'ing  which  I  nnfolded  to  him  much  ot  my  experi- 
ence in  my  jsearch  after  truth,  and  my  success  so  far ;  to- 
gether with  that  which  I  felt  was  lacking,  viz :  a  commis- 
sioned priesthood,  or  apostleship  to  minister  in  the  ordi- 
nances of  God. 

He  also  unfolded  to  me  the  jjarticulars  of  the  discovery 
of  the  Book ;  its  translation ;  the  rise  of  the  Church  of  Lat- 
ter-Day  Saints,  and  the  commission  of  his  brother  Joseph, 
and  others,  by  revelation  and  the  ministering  of  angels,  by 
which  the  apostleshii)  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  fulfilment  of  jjro- 
phecy,  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  fulfill  an  api)ointment  in 
the  evening.  As  we  parted  he  kindly  presented  me  with  a 
copy  of  the  Book  of  Mormon.  I  had  not  yet  comi^leted  its 
perusal,  and  was  glad  indeed  to  possess  a  copy  of  my  own. 
I  travelled  on  a  few  miles,  and,  stopping  to  rest,  I  com- 
menced again  to  read  the  book.  To  my  great  joy  I  found 
that  Jesus  Christ,  in  his  glorified  resurrected  body,  had  ap- 
peared to  the  remnant  of  Josei^h  on  the  continent  of 
America,  soon  after  his  resurrection  and  ascension  into 
heaven ;  and  that  he  also  administered,  in  j^ersou,  to  the 
ten  lost  tribes ;  and  that  through  his  ijersoual  ministry  in 
these  countries  his  gospel  was  revealed  and  written  in 
countries  and  among  nations  entirely  nnkncjwn  to  the  Jew- 
ish apostles. 


40       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Thus  revealed,  wiitteu,  liauded  dowii  and  i)reserved,  till 
revealed  in  this  age  by  the  angels  of  God,  it  had,  of 
course,  escaped  the  corni])tions  of  the  great  and  abominable 
chui'cli ;    and  been  preseix cd  in  purity. 

This  discovery  greatly  eidarged  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  1  then  possessed,  for  a  legal 
title  to  all  the  beautiful  farms,  houses,  A'illages  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  liis 
fold.  Truly,  thought  I,  he  Avas  not  sent  (in  jjerson) 
save  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel,  as  he  told 
the  woman  of  Canaan ;  and  here  were  a  x)ortion  of  them. 
Truly,  thought  1,  the  angels  sung  with  the  spirit  and 
with  the  understantliug  when  they  declared :  "  We  bring 
you  glad  tidings  of  great  joy,  n-hich  shall  he  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  liie,  or  rather  death,  and 
clothed  Avith  an  innnortal  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,  eai-th  or  heU.  He  could  take  the 
wings  of  the  morning,  and,  with  the  speed  of  Ught,  make 
his  way  to  the  Heaven  of  Heavens;  and  converse  and 
comicil  among  the  sons  of  God ;  or  receive  council  from 
his  Father  in  Heaven ;  or,  lea\ing  again  the  starry  worlds, 
he  could   descend   to    the  daik   and    gloomy  abodes   of    the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


41 


spirits  in  prisou  and  ineach  to  them  the  gospel — bui\sting- 
oil'  their  shackles  and  unlocking-  their  prison  doors ;  while 
these  once  dark  abodes  were  now  brilUant  with  light,  and, 
instead  of  prison  groans,  Avere  heard  joji'ul  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  couhl  soar  away  beyond  the  waves  and  tem- 
pests, which  liad  before  set  bounds  to  the  geographical 
knowledge  of  man,  and  stood  up  as  an  impregnable  barrier 
to  the  intercourse  of  imtious ;  and  there,  in  other  tribes 
and  tongues,  make  known  the  riches  of  his  gTace,  and  his 
triumph  over   death. 

And  when  ages  had  passed,  and  nations  slumbered  in 
the  dust — when  cruelts'  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  re- 
veal the  "  mystery  of  iniquity  ;"  to  speak,  as  with  a  voice  of 
thunder,  in  rebuking  the  e^il  and  revealing  the  fulness  of 
the  gosi^el.  Such  was  the  Book  of  Mormon — such  its 
effect  upon  the  startling  nations. 


CHAPTER     VI. 

Interesting  Meetings : — Second  Interview  with  Hj-nun  Smith  : — Visit  to  the 
Church  in  Seneca  Count}': — Baptism,  Confinnation,  and  Ordination: — 
Ministr}'  among  my  Kindred: — Baptism  of  my  Brother  Orson: — Wonder- 
ful Sign  in  tlie  Heavens: — Return  to  Western  New  York: — First  Inter- 
view with  Joseph  Smitli: — Description  of  liis  Person  and  Abilities. 

HAVING  rested  awhile  and  perused  this  sacred  book 
by  tlie  roadside,   I  again   walked  on. 

In  the  eveuuig  I  arrived  in  time  to  lill  my  appointment.  I 
met  a  crowded  house,  and  laid  before  them  many  interest- 
ing' truths,  which  were  listened  to  with  dee^)  interest. 

The  next  evening  I  had  another  appointment,  and  the 
people  came  out  in  great  numbers,  and  were  filled  with 
the   si)iiit  of  interest  and  inquiry. 

They  urged  me  very  much  to  continue  my  discourses 
among  tliem ;  but  I  felt  to  minister  no  more  till  I  had 
attended  to  some  important  duties  for  myself.  1  had  now 
found  men  on  earth  commissioned  to  preach,  baptize, 
ordain  to  the  ministry,  etc.,  and  I  determined  to  obey  the 
fulness  of  the  gospel  ^^'ithout  delay.  I  should  have  done 
so  at  the  first  interview  with  Elder  Hyrum  Smith  5  but 
these  two  api^ointments  were  already  out,  and  thirty  miles' 
travel  required   all  the  time   I  had. 

I  now  returned  immediately  to  Hj'rum  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  A^'elcome 
reception. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       43 

This  wa«  the  t'aiiiilyj  several  of  whose  names  were 
attached  to  the  Book  of  Mormon  as  witnesses — Mr.  Joseph 
Smith  having-  translated  mnch  of  the  book  in  Whitmer's 
chamber. 

I  found  the  Httle  branch  of  the  cliurch  in  this  place 
full  of  joy,  faith,  humility  and  charity.  We  rested  that 
night,  and  on  the  next  day,  being  about  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember, 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  AVestern   islew   York. 

A  meeting  was  held  the  same  evening,  and  after  suig- 
ing  a  hymn  and  prayer,  Elder  Cowdery  and  others  pro- 
ceeded 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,  administer  the  sacia- 
ment,  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   liad   authority   in   the   ministry. 

On  the  next  Sabbath  1  preached  to  a  large  concourse 
of  people,  assembled  at  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Burroughs.  The 
Holy  Ghost  came  upon  nie  mightily.  I  si)oke  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,  exjiress- 
ing  their  faith,   and   were  baptized. 

My  work  was  now  comi)leted,  for  which  1  took  leave  of 
my  wife  aiul  the  canal  boat  some  two  or  three  weeks 
previous. 

I  now  took  leave  of  the  little  branch  of  the  church  Avith 
which  I  had  been  associated,  and  i)ursued  my  journey  to 
the  land  of  iny  fathers   and  of  my  boyhood. 

I  found  my  wife  in  health  and  spii'its,  enjoying  herself 
with    her    friends.      I    also    found    my    father    and    mother, 


44       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

friends  and  kindred,  and,  among  others,  my  good  old  aunt 
aud  cousins,  at  the  old  homestead,  where  I  always  found 
a  welcome  reception. 

This  was  a  pleasant  and  retired  mountain  valley,  con- 
sisting of  a  beautiful  faiin  and  a  small  and  convenient 
house,  out-buildings,  orchard,  meadow,  etc.,  encu'cled  on  the 
south,  west  and  north  with  a  curve  of  hills,  consisting  of 
farming  lands  and  j^astm^e,  and  tlieir  summits  and  bosoms 
partially  clothed  with  a  beautiful  forest  of  pine  and  chest- 
nut; while  the  scene  opened  to  the  southeast  in  a  descend- 
ing landscape  to  a  beautiful  vale  of  some  miles  in  extent, 
filled  with  nourishing  farms  and  dwellings,  and  watered  by 
a  winduig  stream ;  while  far  beyond  stretched  other  hilla 
and  pine-clad  mountains,  and  the  spire  of  a  church  aud  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  matu- 
rity. Her  husband  had  died  at  an  early  day,  after  an 
illness  of  seven  years;  and  here  lived  the  widow  and  or- 
phans, surrounded  with  peace  and  plenty,  blooming  with 
health,  and  smiling  with  iimocence  and  joy.  Retired  from 
the  throng  of  busy,  boisterous  life,  and  strangers  to  most 
of  its  woes,  ills  and  corruptions,  the  stranger  who  hap- 
pened there  was  welcome ;  the  hungry  were  fed,  the 
naked  were  clothed,  and,  above  all,  the  kindied  found  a 
hearty  reception.  In  short,  it  was  a  spot,  in  all  re- 
spects, adapted  to  retirement  and  contemplation,  where  the 
poet  and  the  novelist  would  find  a  thousand  things  to 
please  the  imagination,  aud  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.   Her. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       45 

rick.  He  had  moved  to  the  AVest,  aud  his  house  was 
occupied   by  strangers. 

I  now  commenced  my  Libors  in  good  earnest.  I  ad- 
dressed crowded  audiences  abnost  every  day,  and  the  peo- 
ple, who  had  known  me  from  a  child,  seemed  astonished — 
knowing  that  I  had  had  but  Uttle  opportunity  of  acquir- 
ing knowledge  by  study ;  and  while  many  were  interested  in 
the  truth,  some  began  to  be  tilled  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  duiing  my  labors  in  these  parts,  in  the  autumn 
of  1830,  that  a  very  singTdar  and  extraordinary  sign  was 
shown  in  the  heavens,  which  I  will  here  describe. 

I  had  been  on  a  %isit  to  a  singular  people  called  Shak- 
ers, at  New  Lebanon,  about  seven  miles  from  my  aunt 
Van  Cott's,  and  was  retiu'ning  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  iiredicti<Mis  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  ti'uth,  and  with  sorrow  for 
the  blindness  of  those  who  lightly  rejected  the  same, 
when  my  attention  was  aroused  by  a  sudden  api^earance 
of  a  biilliant  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 
of  a  deep  fiery  red.  It  at  first  stood  stationary  in  a 
horizontal   position;   at    length    bending    in    the  centre,   the 


46       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PBATT. 

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  time,  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  remained 
stationary  for  a  minute,  and  then  faded  away. 

I  fell  upon  my  knees  in  the  street,  and  thanked  the 
Lord  for  so  marvellous  a  sign  of  the  coming  of  the  Son 
of  Man. 

Some  persons  may  smile  at  tliis,  and  say  that  aU  these 
exact  movements  were  l)y  chance;  but,  for  my  part,  I 
could  as  soon  believe  that  the  letters  of  the  alphabet 
woidd  be  formed  by  chance,  and  be  placed  so  as  to  spell 
my  name,  as  to  believe  that  these  signs  (known  only  to 
the  wi^e)   could  be  formed  and   shown   forth   by  chance. 

Eenewed  in  spirit  and  tilled  with  joy  I  now  j)ursued 
my  way,  and  arrived  at  my  aunt  Van  Cott's,  not  weary, 
but  refreslied  with  a  long  walk,  and  deep  communion 
with  myself  and  God. 

Ha\dng  lifted  a  warning  voice  to  midtitudes  in  aU  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  here  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  him 
for  the    first  time. 

He  received  me  with  a  liearty  welcome,  and  Avitli  that 
frank  and  kind  manner  so  universal  with  him  in  after 
years. 

On   Sunday    we    held    meeting    at    his    house;    the    two 


Born.  December  23,  1805. 
COPIED      FROM      "T.IVERPOOT,     ROUTE-'' 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       47 

large    rooms    were    filled    with    attentive  listeiiers,   aiid  he 
lii\'iterl  me  to  preach.       I    did  so,   and  afterwards  listened 
with    interest    to    a    discourse    from    his  own  mouth,   filled 
Avith  intelligence  and  wisdom.      We  repaired  from  the  ineet- 
ing  to  the   Avater^s    edge,   and,   at    his    request,   I    baptized 
several  persons, 
'j      President  Josejih    Smith    was    in    person    tall    and    well 
built,   strong  and  active  j   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  inter- 
est,  and  Avas  ncA'er  weary  of  beholding.      His  countenance 
was  CA-er  mild,   affable,   beaming  Avith    intelligence  and   be- 
nevolence;  mingled  with  a  look  of  interest  and  an  uncon- 
cious    smile,   or    cheerfulness,    and    entirely    free    from    all 
restraint  or  affectation  of  graA^ty;     and    there    was    some- 
thmg  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  heaA-ens,   and  comprehend   all  worlds. 

He  possessed  a  noble  boldness  and  independence  of 
character;  his  manner  was  easy  and  lamiliar ;  his  rebuke 
terrible  as  the  lion;  his  benevolence  unbounded  as  tlie 
ocean;  his  intelligence  universal,  and  his  language  abound- 
ing in  original  eloquence  peculiar  to  himself— not  pohshed 
—not  studied— not  smoothed  and  softened  by  education 
and  refined  by  art;  but  floAAdng  forth  in  its  oa\ti  native 
simplicity,  and  profusely  abounding  in  A^ariety  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  Avifeh  his  discourse. 
I  haA'e  even  known  him  to  retain  a  congregation  of  wil- 
ling and  anxious  listeners  for  many  hours  together,  in  the 
midst  of  cold  or  sunshine,  rain  or  AAdnd,  while  they  were 
laughing  atone  moment  and  weeping  the  next.  Even  his 
most  bitter  enemies  were  generally  overcome,  if  he  could 
once  get  their  ears. 


48 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


I  have  kno\vii  hiiu  when  cliained  and  .suiromided  with 
armed  niiu'derers  and  assassins  who  were  heaphig-  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  theii-  knees,   begged    his  pardon,  and  ceased  their 

abuse. 

In  short,  in  him  the  characters  of  a  Daniel  and  a  Cy- 
rus were  wonderfxdly  l>lended.  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 
wiU  live  to  endless  ages,  and  mmumbered  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.  1  have  yet  to  speak 
of  him  in  my  history,  imder  many  and  varying  circmn 
stances,  in  which  I  have  necessarily  been  associated  with 
him,  up  to   the  latest    year  of   his  life. 


CHAPTER    YII. 

Mission  to  the  Western  States  .-Visit  to  the  Indians : -Wonderful  Suc^ 
cess  m  Kirtland,  OJiio  .-Journey  Westward  :-Greut  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. 

TT  was  now  October,  1830.  A  revelation  had  been  given 
-L  through  the  month  of  this  Prophet,  Seer  and  Trans- 
latm-,  m  which  Elders  Oliver  Cowdery,  Peter  T^^litmer 
Ziba  Peterson  and  myself  were  appointed  to  go  into  the 
wilderness,  throngh  the  western  States,  and  to  the  Indian 
7'T^^Ji^^^"^  arrangements  for  my  wife  in  the  family 
of  the  IVhitmers,  we  took  leave  of  onr  friends  and  the 
church  late  hi  October,  and  started  on  foot 

After  travelling  for  some  days  we  called  on  an  Indian 
nation  at  or  near  Buitalo ;  and  spent  part  of  a  dav  with 
them,  instructing  them  in  the  knowledge  of  the  record  of 
their  torefathers.  We  were  kindly  received,  and  much  in- 
terest 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  Butfalo. 
Thence  we  contmued  our  journey,  for  about  two  huncfred 
mdes  and  at  length  called  on  Mr.  Eigdon,  my  former 
friend  and  instructor,  m  the  Eeformed  Baptist  Society. 
He^received  us    corcUally  and    entertained    us    with  hospi- 

rZ^^'T  r''""*'^    ^^^   "^^^  ^  ^««k  «f    ^^«^'^on,   and 
re  ated    to    him    the   history  of  the  same.     He  was  much 

interested,  and  promised    a  thorough  perusal  of   the  book. 


50       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

We  tarried  in  this  region  for  some  time,  and  devoted 
our  time  to  the  ministry,  and  ^dsiting  from  house  to  house. 
At  length  Mr.  Rigdon  and  many  others  became  con- 
vinced that  they  had  no  authority  to  minister  in  the  or- 
dinances  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  the  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  marvellous  events  connected  with  it.  The  mtexest 
and  excitement  now  became  general  in  Kii^tland,  and  in 
all  the  region  round  about.  The  people  thronged  us 
night  and  day,  msomuch  that  we  had  no  thne  for  rest 
or  retkement.  Meetings  were  convened  in  different  neigh- 
borhoods, and  multitudes  came  together  soliciting  our  at- 
tendance; while  thousands  flocked  about  us  daily;  some 
to  be  taught,  some  for  curiosity,  some  to  obey  the  gos- 
pel, and  some  to  dispute  or    resist  it.  ,  •  , 

In  two  or  three  weeks    from  our    arrival    in  the    neigh- 
borhood with  the  news,  we  had  baptized  one  hundred  and 
twenty-seven  soids,   and  this  number  soon  increased  to  one 
thousand.     The    disciples    were    lilled    with  joy    and  glad- 
'ness-   while  rage  and  lying  was  abundantly  manitested  by 
.'gainsayers;  faith  was    strong,   joy    was    great,    and    perse- 
cution heavy.  tv/t^^i^.t 
We  proceeded  to    ordain  Sidney    Rigdon,    Isaac    Morlej^ 
John    Murdock,    Lyman    Wight,     Edward     Partridge     and 
many  others  to  the  ministry;    and,  leading    them  to    take 
care  of  the  chm-ches  and  to  minister  the  gospel,    we  took 
leave  of  the  saints  and  contihued  oiu^  journey. 

Fifty  miles  west  of  Kirtland,  we  had  occasion  to  pass 
through  the  neighborhood  where  I  first  settled  m  tire 
wilderness,  after  my  marriage.  We  found  the  people  all 
excited  with    the    news    of  the    great    work  we    had    been 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


51 


the  humble  iiistnuiients  of  doing  in  Kirtlaud  and  vicinity 
Some  Avished  to  learn  and  obey  the  fulness  of  the  gos- 
pel-were ready  to  entertain  us  and  hear  us  preach 
Others  were  lilled  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   Bymgton,     to     arrest    me    on    a    very    fi-ivolous 
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 
Jndge  boasting  thus,  and  the  .yitnesses  being  entirely  felse 
ni  then-  testimony,  I    concluded    to    make  no  defence,   but 
to^  treat  the  whole  matter  with  contempt. 

I  was  soon  ordered  to  prison,  or  to  pav  a  sum  of 
money  which  I  had  not  in  ths  world.  It  was  now  a  late 
hour,  and  I  was  stiU  retained  in  court,  tantaHzed,  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  caUed  on  brother 
Peterson  to  sing  a  hymn  in  the  cornet.  We  sun<v  '^  O 
how  happy  are  they."  This  exasperated  them  stiu'more 
and  they  pressed  us  greatly  to  settle  the  business,  by 
paying  the  money. 

I  then  observed  as  foUows :  ^' May  it  please  the  court' I 
have  one  proposal  to  make  for  a  final  settlement  of  the 
thmgs  that  seem  to  trouble  you.  It  is  this  :  if  the  wit- 
.lesses  who. have  given  testimony  in  the  case  .vill  repent 
ot  their  ftilse  swearing,   and   tlie  magistrate  of   his    unjust 


52 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLKY  P.  PRATT. 


and  wicked  iudgment  and    of  his    persecution,    blackguard- 
ism  and  abuse,   and  all  kneel  dowu  together,  we  will  pray 
for  you,  that  God  might  forgive  you  in  these  matters. 
''My  big  bull  dog  pray  for  me,"   says  the  Judge. 
"The  devil  help  us,"  exclaimed  another. 
They  now  urged  me  for  some  time  to  pay    the  money  ; 
but  got  no  further    answer. 

The  comt  adjourned,  and  I  was  conducted  to  a  pub  ic 
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  waitmg  in  the  inn  for  all 
things  to  be  ready  to  conduct  me  to  prison.  In  the 
mean  time  my  fellow  traveUers  came  past  on  their  jour- 
ney, and  called  to  see  me.  I  told  them  in  an  under 
tone  to  pursue  their  journey  and  leave  me  to  manage  my 
own    affairs,    promising    to    overtake     them    soon.       They 

^' After  sitting  awhile  by  the  fire   in  charge  of  the  officer, 
1  requested    to  step    out.      I  walked    out  into    the    public 
square  accompanied  by  him.      Said  I,   "Mr.  Peabody,    are 
you  good  at  a  raceJ"      "^^o,"   said  he,   "but  my  big  bull 
dog  is,   and  he  has  been  ti-ained  to  assist  me  m  my  office 
these  several  years;  he  will  take    any  man    down  at    my 
biddino"      "WeU,  Mr.  Peabody,  you  compelled  me    to  go 
a  mileri  have  gone  with  you  two  miles.      You  have  given 
me  an  opportunity  to  preach,  sing,  and    have    also    enter- 
tained   me  with  lodghig    and  breakfast.     I  must  now    go 
on  my  joumey ;  if  you  are  good  at  a  race  you  can  accom- 
pany me.      I  thank  you  for  all  your   kindness-good    day, 

''^"  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  exer^ 
■    tLs,   and  soon  hicreased  my  speed  to  somethmg  like  that 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       53 

Of    a    deer.      He    did    not    awake    from    his    astonishment 
sufficiently  to   start  in   pm-suit    till   I  had   gahied,  perhaps, 
two  hnndred  yards.      I   had   already    leaped    a    fence,    and 
was  making-  my  way  thri^ugh   a  held   to  the  forest  on   the 
right  of  the  road.     He  now  came   hallooing-  after  me,   and 
shonting-  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  tlie  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  5   being    urged  by 
the    officer    and    myself,    and    both    of   us  rimuing  in    the 
same  direction. 

Gainmg  the  forest,  I  soon  lost  sight  of  the  officer  and 
dog,  and  have  not  seen  them  sincaTi  took  a  back  com^se, 
crossed  the  road,  took  round  mto"  the  Adlderness,  on  the 
left,  and  made  the  road  again  in  time  to  cross  a  bridge 
over  Verihiliou  liiver,  where  1  was  hailed  by  half  a  dozen 
men,  who  had  been  anxiously  waiting  oiu'  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  mUes 
fiu-ther,  through  mud  and  rain,  and  overtook  the  brethren, 
and  preached  the  same  evenmg  to  a  crowded  aucUence,' 
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  bv  these 
circumstances  left  xnth  him.  He  read  it  with  attention. 
It  wrought  deeply   upon   his  mind,  and  he  went  fifty  miles 


54        AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  TARLKY  P.  PRATT. 

to    the    Church    we    had    left    hi    Kirtland,    and   was    there 
baptized   and  ordahied   an   Ekler.      He  then  returned  to  his 
home  and   commenced   to   preach    and    baptize.      A    church 
of   about  sixty  members  was    soon  organized    in  the  phice 
where  I  had  played  such  a  trick  of  deception  on  the  dog". 
AVe    now    pursued    our   jom^ney    for    some   days,    and    at 
length   arrived  in   Sandusky,  in   the  western  part  of   Ohio. 
Here  resided   a  tribe,   or    nation    of   Indians,   (-ailed    vv  yan- 
dots,   on  whom  we  called,  and  with  whom  we  spent  several 
days       We  were   well  received,   and  had   an  opportnnity  ot 
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  contmued 
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  pas- 
sage on  a  steamer  for  St.  Louis.  In  a  few  days  we  arrived 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  and  iinding  the  river  blocked 
'  with  ice,  the  boat  did  not  proceed  further.  We  therefore 
landed  and  pursued  our  jouiney  on  foot  for  two  hundred 
miles,  to  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Louis. 

We  lialted  for  a  few  days  in  Illinois,  about  twenty  mile^ 
from  St.  Louis,  on  account  of  a  dreadful  storm  of  ram  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  m  seve- 
ral neighborhoods. 

In  the  beginning  of  1831  we  renewed  our  journey  •,  and, 
passing  through  St.  Louis  and  St.  Charles,  ^ve  travelled  on 
foot  for  three  hundred  miles  tlirough  vast  praines  and 
through  trackless  wilds  of  snow-no  beaten  road;  houses 
few  and  far  between;  and  the  bleak  northwest  wind  always 


ATTTOBIOGrEAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  65 

blowing  ill  our  faces  with  a  keeimess  which  would  almost 
take  the  skin  oft"  the  face.  We  travelled  for  whole  days, 
froui  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  oui'  backs  oui'  changes  of  clothing,  several 
books,  and  corn  bread  and  raw  pork.  We  often  eat  our 
frozen  bread  and  pork  by  the  way,  when  the  bread  would 
be  so  frozen  that  Ave  could  not  bite  or  penetrate  any  part 
of  it  but  the   outside  crust. 

After  much  fatigue  and  some  sufi'ering  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  himdred  miles  from  where  we 
started,  and  we  had  performed  most  of  the  joui-ney  on 
foot,  through  a  wilderness  Comitry,  in  the  worst  season  of 
the  year,  occupying  about  four  months,  during  which  we 
^ad  preached  .the  gospel  to  tens  of  thousands  of  Gentiles 
and  two  nations  of  Indians;  baptizing,  confirmuig  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  Kew  York,  and 
A\e  were  the  first  members  of  the  same  which  were  ever 
on  this  frontier. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Visit  the  Delawares  of  Kansas : -Interne w  with  the  Chief  and  Council : -Speech 
and  Reply: -Great  Excitement :— Opposition  from  Missionaries :— Compelled 
to  Leave  the  Indian  Country  ^-Ministry  hi  Jaclcson  County -.-Council  in 
Independence.— Return  Eastward : -Disguise :-Hospitahty  of  a  Family  of 
the  Saints  — Dialogue  •.— Sickness  .—Reunion  with  Pres.  Joseph  Smith  :— 
Mission  to  the  Shakers  —Ministry  Among  the  Churches :— False  Spirits  :- 
Inquire  of  the  Lord :— ilode  of  Receiving  Revelations. 

TWO  of  our  number  now  commenced  work  as  tailors  in 
the  viUage  of  Independence,  while  the  others  crossed 
the  frontier  line  and  commenced  a  mission  among  the  La- 
manites,  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  in- 
quired 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  com- 
fortable 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  orna- 
ments. 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 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       57 

boiled  up  together,  which  proved  to  be  good  etitiug  5  although 
three  of  us  made  use  alternately  of  the  same  woodeu 
spoou. 

There  was  an  interpreter  present  and  through  him  we 
commenced  to  make  kno^ni  our  errand,  and  to  tell  him  of 
the  Book  of  Mormon.  We  asked  him  to  call  the  council 
of  his  nation  together  and  give  us  a  hearing  in  fidl.  He 
promised  to  consider  on  it  till  next  day,  in  the  mean 
time  recommending  us  to  a  certain  Mr.  Pool  for  entertain- 
ment;  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  natiu-e  of  the  Book.  He  then 
changed  his  mind;  became  suddenly  interested,  and  re- 
quested 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  Coimcil  of  the  Delaware  na- 
tion; we  are  glad  of  this  opportunity  to  address  you  as 
oiu'  red  brethren  and  friends.  We  have  travelled  a  long 
distance  fiom  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; 


58       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  which  will  do  the  red  iiuiii   good   as  well   as  the  pale 

face. 

"Once  the  red  men  were  many;  they  occupied  the 
country  from  sea  to  sea— tioii!  the  rising  to  the  setting 
smi ;  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  nvunbers ;  their  possessions  are  smaU,  and 
the  pale  faces  are  many. 

"Thousands  of  moons  ago,  when  the  red  men's  fore- 
fathers dwelt  in  peace  and  possessed  this  whole  land,  the 
Great  Spirit  talked  with  them,  and  revealed  His  law  and 
His  wll,  and  much  knowledge  to  their  wise  men  and 
pro])hets.  This  they  wrote  in  a  Book;  together  with  their 
history,  and  the  things  which  should  befall  theii-  childi-en 
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  peoide  prospered,  and  were  strong 
and  mighty ;  they  cidtivated  the  earth ;  built  buildings  and 
cities,  and   abounded  in  all   good  things,  as  the  pale  taces 

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    Spiiit;    and   the 

Lord  commanded  Mormon  and  Moroni,  their  last  ^vise  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  wouhl    then  receive    this  Book    and   learn    the  things 

written  in  it,  and  do   according  thereunto,  they   should  be 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       59 

restored  to  all  their  rights  and  privileges ;  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  §pod  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 
projjhets  and  wise  and  good  men  amongst  them  again, 
who  should  teaoh  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  i^ew  York,  near  the 
village  of  Pahnyra,  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  Spiiit 
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  it  among  them;  and  then  sent  us  to  tlie  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." 


60        AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

We  then   i)resented   him   witb   a  Book   of  Mormon. 

There  was  a  i)ause  in  the  comicil,  and  some  conversa- 
tion in  their  own  tongue,  alter  v/hich  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  neAvs  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  djing,  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   v/ill  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  tiibe.  The  interest  became  mcjre  and 
more  intense  on  their  part,  from  day  to  day,  until  at 
length  nearly  the  whole  tribe  began  to  leel  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  ])eace ;  and  even  threatened  with  the 
military  in  case  of  non-compliance. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      61 

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  re- 
ceived, 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  fulness,  and  distributed  the 
record  of  their  forefathers  among  tlu"ee  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  foimd  growing  in  their  hearts, 
which  was  sown  by  us  in  that  early  day. 
'^t  was  now  the  14th  of  February,  1831.  The  cold  north 
wind  which  had  blown  for  several  weeks,  accompanied 
with  very  severe  weather,  had  begiui  to  give  place  to  a 
milder  breeze  from  the  south;  and  the  deep  snows  were 
fast  settling  down,  with  ev^ery  prospect  of  returning  spring. 

Elders  Cowdery,  Whitmer,  Peterson,  myself,  and  F.  G. 
Williams,  who  accompanied  us  from  Kirtland,  now  assem- 
bled in  Independence,  Jackson  County,  Missouri,  and  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  one  of  our  number  had  better  re- 
turn to  the  church  in  Ohio,  and  perhaps  to  head  quar- 
ters in  New  York,  in  order  to  communicate  with  the 
Presidency,  report  ourselves,  pay  a  visit  to  the  numerous 
chuiches  we  had  organized  on  our  outward  journey,  raid 
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  i)art  of  February; 
the  snow  had  disappeared,  the  rivers  were  breaking  up, 
and  the  whole  country  inundated  as  it  were  Avith  mud 
and    water.      1    spent    a    few  days    with    a    friend    in    the 


62       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

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 
St^png^'ille,  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  theii-  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  hitlamed  with 
pain,  long  beard,  and  a  ^dsage  lengthened  by  sickness 
and  extreme  fatig-ue.  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  immedi- 
ately 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  !     Wliat  proi>liets  ?" 

"  Why,  four  men — strange  men — who  came  through  this 
countrs-  and  preached,  and  baptized  hundreds  of  people; 
and,  after  ordaining  Elders  and  organizing  churches,  they 
continued    on  westward,    as    we    suppose,  to    the  fi"ontiers 


ATT'I'OBIOGEAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  63 

on  a  mission  to  the  Indians ;  and  we  lia,ve  never  heard 
from  them  since.  Ent  the  great  Avork  commenced  by  them 
still  rolls  on.  It  commenced  last  fall  in  Kirtlaud,  and  has 
spread  for  a  hundred  miles  around ;  thousands  have  em- 
braced it,  and  among  others  ourselves  and  nuiny  in  this 
neighborhood." 

"  But  what  did  they  preach  ?  And  why  do  you  <;all 
them  prophets  ?" 

"  ^Vhy  they  opened  the  Scriptures  in  a  wonderful  man- 
ner ;  show^ed  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  w^ore  a  hat  of  a  drab  color, 
low  round  crow^u  and  broad  brim,  after  the  manner  of  tJie. 
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  some- 
times, perhaps,  by  water ;  but  they  provide  themselves  with 
neither  purse  nor  scrip  for  their  jom^ney,  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 
donbt,  by  missionaries,  to  depart  from  the  Indian  country, 
although  well  received  by  the  Indians  themselves." 

"  You  saw  then,  then  f 


64       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

"  1  did." 

"  Were  they  well  f ' 

"  1  belieA'e  they   were   all   in   good   health   and   spiiits." 

"  Will  tliey  return  soon  ?  O,  Avho  would  not  give  the 
world   to   see  them  !" 

^'  AVell,  I  am  one  of  them,  and  the  others  you  may, 
perhaps,   see." 

"  You  one  of  them  !  God  bless  j  on.  What  is  your 
name  !" 

"  My  name  is  Parley  P.  Pratt,  one  of  the  four  men  you 
ha  Ye  descriljed,  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  arise  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  amved  at  Kirtland. 

Hundreds  of  the  saints  now  crowded  around  to  welcome 
me  J  and  to  inquire  after  my  brethren  whom  I  had  left  in 
Missouri. 

.  Here  also  I  again  met  President  Joseph  Smith,  who  had, 
duiing  our  absence,  come  up  from  the  State  of  Xew 
York. 

I  found  the  churches  in  Ohio  had  increased  to  more 
than  a  thousand  members,  and  those  in  Xew  York  to 
several  hundred. 

I  also  heard  from  my  wife,  from  whom  I  had  been 
absent  about  six  mouths.  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 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  TARLEY  P.  PRATT.        65 

to  Ohio  in  the  opening  spring.     I,  therefore,  was  advised  to 
proceed  no  farther  eastward,  but  to  await  their  arrivjj. 

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,  1  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. 

We  fulfilled  this  mission,  as  we  were  commanded,  in  a  settle- 
ment 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  :Mew  York. 
Feeling  oiu'  weakness  and  inexperience,  and  lest  we 
should  err  in  judgment  concerning  these  spiritual  pheno- 
meuf^,  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. 

♦  See  Book  of  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  section  66. 

K  f  0 


66 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


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  dic- 
tated them  so  they  stood,  so  far  as  I  have  mtnessed;  and 
I  was  present  to  witness  the  dictation  of  several  commu- 
nications of  several  pages  each. 

This  inquiry  was  made  and  the  answer  given  in  May, 
1831.) 


CHAPTEE    IX. 

Revelation    on    False    Spirits :— i^Iinistry    Among    the  Churches :— Remarkable 

Miracle    of    Healuig : — Arrival    of    P^migrant    Saints    from   New    York : 

Severe   Disappointment. 

"TTEAEKEN,   O  ye  Elders  of  my  Cliurch,  and  give  ear, 

-L-*-  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  arc  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,  de- 
ceiv-ing  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  hyi^ocrites, 
for,    thus  saith  the  Lord,   I   vdll  bring  them  to  judgment. 

''  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  there  are  hypocrites  among 
you,  and  have  deceived  some,  which  has  given  the  ad- 
versary power;  but,  behold,  such  shall  be  reclaimed ;' but 
the  h^\7)0Ciites  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,  ior  the  same  are  overcome  of 
the  worhl ;  wherefore,  let  every  man  beware,  lest  he  do 
that  which  is  ]iot  in  trutii   and    righteousness    before    me. 

"  And  now  come,  saith  the  Lord,  by  the  Spirit,  unto 
the  Elders    of   His    Church,    and  let    us    reason    together, 


68       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

that  ye  may    imderstaml :     Let  us    reason— even  as  a   man 
reasonetli— one  witli    another,    lace  to  face;    now,  when    a 
man  reasoneth,   he  is    understood    of  man,  because  he  rea- 
soneth   as  a  man;   even  so  will  I,   tlio  Lord,  reason    with 
you,     that    you    may    understand:  wherefore,   I,    the    Lord, 
asketh    you    this    question,    unto  Avhat    were  ye    ordained? 
VTo  preach  my  gospel    by    the    Spiiit,    even  the    Comforter 
which  was  sent   forth   to    teach    the    truth;    and    then    re- 
iceived  ye  spirits  which  yo  co^ild  not  understand,   and    re- 
jceived  them  to  be  of  God,   and  in    this   are    ye    justified? 
Behold,   ye  shall  answer    this    question    yourselves;    never- 
theless,   I    will    be    merciful    unto    yon ;    he    that  is    Aveak 
among  you,   hereafter,   shall  be  made   strong. 

"Yerily  I  s;iy  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_i^j^be_bx_ some  .other 
wajj  U_be  not  of  God.  xVnd,'  again,  he  that  receiveth 
the  word  ~or'truth~'""doth  he  receive  it  by  the  spii'it  of 
truth,  or  some  other  way  ?  If  it  be  some  other  way,  it 
be  not  of  God  ;  therefore,  why  is  it  that  ye  cannot  un- 
derstand, 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  re- 
joice together;  and  that  which  doth  not  edify,  is  not  of 
God,  and  is  darkness;  that  which  is  of  God  is  hght,  and 
he  that  receiveth  light  and  contmueth  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  aU    things,    for  all 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       69 

things  are  subject  imto  him,  both  in  Heaven  aud  on  the 
earth;  the  life  aud  the  Kght,  the  spirit  and  the  power 
sent  forth  by  the  will  of  the  Father  fchrougli  Jesus  Christ, 
his  Son  ;  but  no  man  is  possessor  of  all  things,  except  he 
be  purilled  and  cleansed  from  all  sin  ;  and  if  ye  are  puri- 
li('d  and  cleansed  from  all  sin,  ye  shall  ask  whatsoever 
you  will  ill  tlie  name  of  Jesus,  and  it  shall  be  done;  but, 
know  this,  it  sliall  be  given  you  what  you  shall  ask,  and  as 
ye  are  appoiiited  to  tlie  head,  the  spirits  shall  be  sub- 
ject unto  you. 

"Wherefore,  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  if  you  behold"^ 
a  spirit  manifested  that  you  caunot  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  s])irit,  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  thei^ewith ;  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  do- 
ing these  things  which  ye  have  received,  and  Vv^hich 
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,  aud  my  servant.  Parley  P.  Pratt,  go  forth  among 
the  churches  and  strengthen  them  by  the  word  of  ex- 
hortation ;  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  hijider  them 
of  doing  that  which  I  have  appointed  unto  them  ;  where- 


70  AITTOBIOGIIAPHY     Oi'     PA111.EY     1\     PRATT. 

fore,  in  this  tMug,  my  servant,  Edward  Partridge,  is  not' 
justified  5  nevertheless,  let  hhii  repent  and  he  sliuU  he  for- 
given. Behold,  ye  are  little  children,  aud  ye  cannot  bear 
all  things  now  ;  ye  must  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  truth.  Fear  not,  little  children,  for  you  are 
mine,  and  I  have  overcome  the  world,  and  you  are  of 
them  that  ray  Father  hath  given  rae ;  and  none  of  them 
that  my  Father  hath  given  me  shall  he  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  ;  wlierefore,  I  aiti  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,  rebuke- 
ing  the  wrong  spirits  which  had  crept  in  among  them, 
setting  in  order  things  that  were  wanting;  ordaining  Eld- 
ers and  other  officers;  baptizing  such  as  believed  and  re- 
pented 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  affticted,  etc. 
On  some  occasions  we  assembled  fifty  or  sixty  little  child- 
ren in  one  circle,  in  the  midst  of  the  assembly  of  the 
saints,  and  laid  oiu'  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  Presi- 
dent 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 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       1l 

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  Chmch,  and  wlio,  together  with  many  of  the  peo- 
ple of  the  neighborliood,  were  gToatly  stirred  up  to  anger, 
saying,  "These  wicked  deceivers  mil  let  her  lie  and  die 
without  a  physician,  because  of  their  superstitions;  and  if 
they  do,  we  will  prosecute  them  for  so  doing."  These  were 
daily  watching  for  lier  last  breath,  with  many  threats. 

Under  these  circumstances,  Joseph  Smith  and  P.  P.  Pratt, 
with  several  other  Elders,  called  to  see  her.  She  was  so 
low  that  no  one  had  been  allowed  for  some  days  previ- 
ous to  speak  above  a  whisper,  and  even  the  door  of  the 
Urj;  dwelling  was  muffled  with  cloths  to  prevent  a  noise. 

The  Elders  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  at- 
tendance, 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  yoiutg 
lady  arose  and  shook  hands  with  eaeh  as  they  came  in ;  and 
from  that  minute  she  was  perfectly  restored  to  health. 

Some  time  in  May,  1831,  the  Chiu"ch  arrived  with  their 
families  from  the  State  of  New  York,  to  settle  in  Kirt- 
land; but,  to  my  inexi^ressible  disapi^ointment,  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  dutj^  bound  to 
return  to  my  fellow  laborers  in  Missouri.  To  be  so  long 
absent  from  her,  and  then  undertake  a  second  journey  with- 
out seeing  her,  was  a  severe  trial,  but  God  gave  me  grace 
to  overcome  my  feelings,  for  his  sake  and  the  gospel's. 


CHAPTER    X. 


Cojiference  at  Kirtland: — Revelation  of  the  High  Priesthood: — Ordinations  to 
the  Same: — Appointment  of  Missions  through  the  Western  States: — Re- 
turn Westsvard,  Accompanied  by  my  Brother  OrSon: — Our  Success  hy  the 
Way  : — Arrival  at  the  Frontiers  : — Sickness  : — Remarkable  Conversion  of 
Newel  Knight : — A   Dream. 

ON  the  sixth  of  June,  1831,  a  general  conference  was  con- 
vened at  Kirtland,  consisting  of  all  the  Elders,  far  and 
near,  who  could  he  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  marvellous  manner.  "Here  also  were  some 
strange  mamfestations  of  false  spirits,  which  were  immedi- 
ately rebuked. 

Several  were  then  selected  by  revelation,  through  Pres- 
dent  Smith,  and  ordained  to  the  High  Priesthood  after 
the  order  of  the  Son  of  God;  which  is  after  the  order  of 
Melchisedec.  This  was  the  first  occasion  in  which  this 
priesthood  had  been  revealed  and  conferred  u})on  the  Eld- 
ers in  this  dispensation,  although  the  office  of  an  Elder 
is  the  same  in  a  certain  degi'ee,  but  not  in  the  ftilness. 
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 
levelation  to  i)erform  a  mission  together,  through  the  West- 
ern States,  and  to  meet  the  brethren  I  had  left  in  Jack- 
son   County,    Missoiu'i ;    and    many    others    also  who   w  ere 


(J/>t-^o^     (/ij^.M:^'  <£e^. 


EORN    SiPTJMBcR    19.    ISM,    Died    October   3,     1881. 

COPIED     FROM    A    PHOTOGRAPH. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       73 

sent  ill  a  similar  mauiier,  txvo  aud  t^vo  tLrou^li  the  \Ve«teru 
States,  and  avIio  vrere  aU  appointed  to  meet  in  Jackson 
County,  Missomi,  aud  hold  the  next  conference.* 

Soon  after    the    conference  my    brother  and    myself  com- 
menced    our    jomney  without    any  means    to  bear  our    ex- 
penses.    We  travelled  through  the  States  of  Ohio,-  Indiana, 
Illinois  and  .Ai:. .  ouri,  in  the  midst    of  the  heat  of  summer 
on   toot,  and  faithfully  preached    the  gospel  in  many  parts 
ol  all  these  States.     We  suliered  the  hardships  incident  to 
a  new  and,  in  many  places,  unsettled  coiuitry,  such  as  him- 
ger,  tlm-st,  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  oiu^  arrival  we  found  a  considerable  set- 
tlement   of    the    brethren    from   Ohio,   who  had  immigrated 
dm-mg  the  summer  and  taken  up  their  residence  in  Jack- 
son 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  gromids 
for  a  city  and  temple,  they  had  again  retui-ned  to  the  East. 
With  them,  the  brethi^n  whom   I  had  lelt.  there  the  pre- 
vious winter,  had  also  retimied. 

I  felt  somewhat  disappointed  in  uot  meeting  with  the 
brethi^en;  but  was  consoled  with  the  reflection  that  I  had 
been  dihgent  in  preaching  the  gospel  on  my  journey,  while 
others  had  hm-ried  thi-ough  the  country,  perhaps,  without 
tarrj-iug  to  do  much   good. 

I  was  now  taken  sick  with  the  fever  and  ague,  owing 
to  the  exposures  of  the  cUmate  through  wliich  we  liad 
travelled.  I  sulfered  extremely  for  several  months;  being 
brought   N-ery  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  Coles- 
ville,  in  the  State  of  Xew  York,  and  settled  on  the  borders 
of  a  fertile  prairie,  about  twelve  miles  west  of  the  ^^Ilage 

*  See  revelation.  Book  of  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  Section  66. 


H  AUTOBIOGRA-PHY  OF  PARLEY  V.     PRATT. 

of  Indepeuclence,  and  near  the  boundaries  which  divide  the 
State  of  Missouri  from  the  Indian  Territory.  They  con- 
sisted of  about  sixty  souls,  and  were  under  the  presidency 
of  a  faithfnl  and  zealous  Elder  by  the  name  of  Newel 
Knight— an  account  of  Avliose  miraculous  conversion  we  here 
record,  as  extracted  from  the  life  of  Joseph  Smith,  pub- 
lished  in   the  MiUennial   Star,  vol.  4,  p.  110: 

'^  Dui-ing  this  month  of  April,  I  (Joseph   Smith)   went  on 
a  visit   to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Joseph    Eaiight,  of  Coles- 
\ille.  Broom  county,  N.  Y.,  with  whom  and  his  family  I  had 
been  previously  acquainted,  and  whose  name  I  liave  above 
mentioned  as  haAiug  been   so  kind  and  thoughtful  towards 
us    wliile    translating    the    Book    of   Mormon.     Mr.    Knight 
and    his    family  were    Universalists ;    but   were   willing    to 
reason  with  me  upon  my  religious  Aiews,  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  wis- 
dom to  understand  the  trath.     Among  those  who  attended 
oui'  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  meetmgs,  and  Newel  had 
said  that   he  would    try  and  take  up  his   cross   and   pray 
vocally  during  meetmg ;    but  when  we  agaui  met  together 
he  rather  excused    hunself.     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  pro\ided  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  hiinself 
and  there  he  woidd  pray.'     Accordingly  he  deferred  praying 
until  next  morning,  when  he  retired  into  the  woods,  where, 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       75 

accordiug-  to  his   own   account  afterwards,  be  made   several 
attempts  to  pray,  but  could  scarcely  do  so— feeling-  that  he 
]iad  not  done    liis   duty,  but  that    he   should    Iuiac  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    lier    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  to- 
gether to  witness   the   scene.    After   he   had    thus    suffered 
for  a  time,  I  succeeded  in  getting  hold  of  him  by  the  hand, 
when  ahnost  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  com- 
manded 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.'  * 

"  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  ^^sions  of  eternity  were  opened  to  his  view.  He  after- 
wards related  his  experience  as  follows  : 

*  This  was  the  first  miracle  which  was  done  in  this  Church,  or  by  any  member  of  it, 
and  it  was  done  not  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  ?lory, 
be  ascribed  to  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit,  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 


76       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

"  '  I  now  began  to  feel  a  most  pleasing  sensation  resting 
upon  me,  and  immediately  the  visions  of  Heaven  were 
opened  to  my  ^new.  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  recaU  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  astonish- 
ment and  satisfaction,  when  they  saw  the  de^il  thus  cast 
out  and  the  power  of  God  and  His  holy  Spirit  thus  made 
manifest.  So  soon  as  consciousness  retimied,  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,  finaUy,  the  greater 
part  of  them  became  members  of  the  Church." 

This  Coles^iUe  branch  was  among  the  first  organised  by 
Joseph  Smith,  and  constituted  the  first  settlers  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  in  Mssouri.  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,  whicli  was  open  and 
unfinished,  while  the  frozen  gTOund  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  clieerful  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  httle  childien,  insomuch   that  many  of 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT, 


77 


eight,  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age  spake,  and  prayed,  and 
prophesied  in  onr  meetings  and  in  our  family  ^yorship. 
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  Eoman  letters,  about  a  third  of  an  inch  in  length,  and 
the  lines  extending  Ixoni  the  centre  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  :  "  Xew  Jerusalem." 

On  awaking  from  this  dream  I  immediately  called  to 
mind  the  words  of  the  Saviour  to  John  the  Eevelator :  "  He 
tJwt  overcometh  icill  I  make  a  pillar  in  the  temple  of  my  God, 
ami  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 
N'eic  Jerusalem  J'' 

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  :-In8tantaneous  Healing  : -Return  Eastward  : -Description 
of  the  Inhabitants  on  the  Sonth  Side  of  the  Missouri  Kiver : -Strange 
Manifestation  :-Arrive  at  St.  Louis  : -Preaching  and  Entertainment  :- 
Arrive  at  Vandaha  :-Reception  :-Exposure  in  Crossing  an  Overflowed 
Bottom  :-Dialogue:-Hospitality  of  a  Preacher  :-Deaf  Landlord  :- Meet 
my  Wife.    ^ 

QOME  time  in  February,  1832,  a  Conference  t^s  held 
k^  by  Bishop  Partridge  and  the  EhU^rs  remaining  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  '  Jo  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  then-  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,  aijd  had  John  Mur- 
dock  for  a  fellow  traveller.  We  passed  down  the  south 
side  of  the  Missouri  river,  among  'a  thin  settlement  of  peo- 
ple—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 

u 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      79 

winter  for  a  light.      We  preached,  and  warned  the  people, 
and  tanght  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  5   this  caused    us  to  stop  early  in 
the  day  among  strangers,   in  a  smaU  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.     Be- 
•  fore    morning    brother    Murdock    was    much    better,   but    I 
was  seized  with  a  most  dreadful  chHl,  followed  by  a  heavy 
turn  of  fever;   morning  found  me  unable  to   rise   or   speak. 
As  the  bed  was  in  the  way,   they   Hfted  it    by    the    four 
corners,  Avith  me  on  it,   and    placed    it    in    the    back    part 
of  the  room,   on  another  bed.       Here  I  lay,  entirely  help- 
less with  a  burning  fever,   during  whifch  I  distinctly  heard 
a  dialogue  between    John    Murdock    and    the    lady    of  the 
house;   she  upbraiding  us  as  imposters  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  otlicr 
was  taken  down;   ^at  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 
rephed,  trying  to  soothe  the  woman;  reasoning  with  her, 
and  teUmg  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,  ^liat  I  felt  I  could 
endiu-e  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  Ije  seen  or  overheard.  He  did  so;  I  then  asked 
him  to  give  me  a  drink  of  water.  Tl^e  effort  had  been 
too  much,  I    swooned    away    w  hile    he    was    gone  for  the 


80       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

water;   he  coiM  hardly   arouse  me   sufficiently   to   drmk  of 
if    it    was  like   waking  ti-om  the  dead.       I    drank    ot    it 
bounded  on  my  feet,  dressed  myself,  put  on  my  shoes  and 
hat,   and  told  him  I  was  ready  to   start.      The  famdy  al 
ma^veUed;    one    exclaimed,    "what    a    strange    disease;    it 
could    not    be    fever,   and    then    be    cured    m    an  mstant. 
We  gave  no   exTlanations,  but    started    on  our  journey  up 
a  .steep  hill,   in  the  deep   snow,  in  the  nddst  of  theii^  lu-g- 
ings  to   stay  to  breakfast,  or   at  least  have   a  cup  ot  coliee. 
I    said   nothing,  but  thought   to  myself:   ye  hypocrites,   to 
murmiu-  as  you  have,  and  then   ask  me  to   stay   and  eat 

We  traveUed  on  for  some  miles  nearly  in  silence-i 
waiting  aU  the  while  for  brother  Mui^dock  to  make  some 
remarks  refening  to  our  inhospitable  treatment,  and  the 
dialogue  vnth  the  mistress  of  the  house. 

At  last  I  broke  silence.  Said  I,  "Brother  Mmxlock, 
how  did  vou  feel  to  be  so  talked  to  by  that  woman?  I 
thought  vou  bore  it  with  great  patience,  and  I  pitied  you 
fi-om  m/  heart,  or  I  never  should  have  had  faith  and 
coura-e   to   be  thus    healed    and    start    my  joiu-ney.' 

He^replied  that  no  such  conversation  had  occiured  be- 
tween him  and  the  laxly,  nor  had  she  uttered  one  word 
indicative  of  any  such  inhospitable  feehng. 

uWeU"  said  I,  "I  heard  it  articulated  in  plam  Engbsh 
by  some  two  persons,  perfectly  imitating  her  voice  and 
yours;  it  was  no  imagination,  or  raging  debnum  ot  a 
fever.      I  can  swear  I  heard  a  conversation  to  that  effect 

for  a  length  of  time. 

"If  it  was  not  the  lady  and  yourself,  then  it  was  some- 
thing fi'om  an  imdsible  world,  which  clearly  revealed  to 
me  the  spuit  of  oiu:  hostess." 

We  reached  the  next  house;  I  was  a  well  uian ;  lound 
good  quarters,  and  we  were  kindly  and  hospitably  enter- 
tained for  some  days.  _ 

l>„rsumg  our  joiu^ey,  we  arrived  at  St.  Lo.us  were 
kiudly  received    by  some  citizens  of   that  place,  and  held 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


81 


meetiug-    ^nth    them.        They    couveyed    us   over    the    Mis- 
sissippi   free   of    charge,   au<l     we     coiitiiiued    om-    joiu'ney 
preaching  by  the   way.       We   arrived   at  length   at   Vanda- 
lia,   the   then  capital   of  Illinois.       Here   we  were  invited  to 
a  hotel,    where   we   sojourned  free  of  charge,   and  preached 
to    a    good    audience    in    the    Presbyterian   meeting  house 
^ext  mornuig  resuming  our  journey,    we  crossed   the  Okah 
river  on   a  bridge,  but   the   bottoms  for  two  or  three  miles 
were    overflowed    to    various    depths,    fi-om    six    inches    to 
thi-ee    or    fom-    feet,   and    frozen  oyer,    except    in   the   main 
channels,   with   a   coat  of  ice,   which  we   had    to  break    by 
liftmg  our  feet  to  the  surface  at  every  step.      This   occu- 
pied   some    hoiu's    and    called    into    requisition    our  utmost 
strength,    and    sometimes    we    were    entirely    covered    with 
water.      At  length   we  got  through  in  safety  and  came  to 
a    house    where    we    warmed    and    dried    our    clothes   and 
took  some  whiskey.      Om^  legs   and  feet  had  lost  aU  feel- 
ing,  became    benumbed,   and    were    dreadfidly   bruised   and 
cut  with  the  ice. 

On  the  next  day  we  had  to  cross  a  plain  fifteen  miles 
ill  length,  without  a  house,  a  tree,  or  any  kind  of  shelter- 
a  cold  northwest  wind  was-blo^ving,  and  the  gromid  cov- 
ered with  snow  and  ice.  We  had  made  two  or  three 
mdes  mto  the  plain  when  I  was  attacked  with  a  severe 
return  of  my  old  complaint,  which  had  confined  me  so 
many  months  in  Jaekson  County,  and  from  which  I  had 
recovered  by  a  miracle  at  the  outset  of  this  journev-I 
mean  the  fever  and  ague. 

I  travelled  and  shook,  and  shook  and  travelled  till  1 
could  stand  it  no  longer  j  I  vomited  severely  several 
times,  and  finaUy  fell  down  on  the  snow,  overwhelmed  with 
lever,  and  became  helpless  and  nearly  insensible.  This  ^5^as 
about  seven  or  eight  miles  from  the  nearest  house. 

Brother  John  Murdock  laid  his  hands  on  me  and  prayed 
ui  the  name  of  Jesus;  and,  taking  me  by  the  hand,  he 
commanded  me  with   a  loud  voice,  saving:     ^' In  the  name 


82       AUTOBIOUBAPHY  OF  PAKLEV  V      PRATT. 

Of  Jesns  of  Nazareth  arise  and  walk!"  I  attempted  t« 
arise,  I  staggered  a  few  pa«es,  aud  was  about  falling  agam 
when  I  immd  my  fever  suddenly  depart  and  n,y  strength 
come.  I  walked  at  the  rate  of  about  tmir  mdes  per  hour, 
arrived  at  a  house,  aud  was  sick  no  more. 

We  continued  om   jowney,   preaehmg    Dy  the  ™>,  and 
crossing    the  Wabash    at  Vincennes,    we    stopped    m    that 
~y  for    several    days,  drawing    crowded  houses     Here 
7r2t  with  Elders  Dustin  and  Bebee,   who  left    Jackson 
County,  Misscm,  when  we  did,  and  for  the  same  pm-pose. 
uWeU,  brethren,  how  do  you  do  i"  said  we  *«  them. 
uTole^bly   weU;    only   we    have    spent  ten  do"^-  -«^ 
.hich  was  given  us  by  the  Bishop  when  we  stax^d,  and 
we  have  sold    books  and    spent   the  avails  of  them ,    and 
besides    this  we    have    been    compeUed    to    '^---    ■;» ^^ 
in    a  certain  branch  of    the  Ch.n-ch,  and  have  spent  that 
Tlso;    and  we  think  it  hard  to  travel  for  the  pubUe  good 
flTid  tliis  at  our  own  cliarges." 

till  said  I,  ''and  how  is  tMsf  we  have  not  yet  spent 
the  first  cent  since  we  left  the  Church  in  Ja(.kson  County ; 
lorfhaU    we    have    any  occasion  for  any  spendmg  money 
for  weeks  to  come.    ^^^Iere  did  you  stay  last  night  f 
a  In  the  large  village  of   Washington." 
"Did  you  preach  to  the  people!" 
"Yes;    ill  the  Court  House." 
"Did 'they  charge  you  for    your  keeping^"         .^ 
"Yes     A  dollar  and  a  quarter." 

"Well,  we  are  going  there  to-night,  and,  although  entire 
strangers,  we  shall  he  well  entertained  free  of  charge, 
preach  or  no  preach.'' 

"How  do  you  do  it?"  said  they. 

<'0   we  hold  up  OOT  heads  like  honest  men;    go  to  the 
test  houses,  caU  for  the  best  they  have,  inake  knowr.  mu- 
cluing,  pray  with,  or   preach  to    them,  ask  for    then-  bd 
on  tatiug  leave,  but  they  wUl  take  nothing  from  us;  but 
always  invite  us  to  caU  again." 


AUTOBlOGrRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  83 

''  AVeU,  they  will    not    treat     you    so    in   Washington   to- 
night;   you  will  have  to  pay  a   good  round   sum." 
"WeU,   we  shall    see." 

We  took  leave  of  them  and  of  the  good  people  where 
we  had  been  preaching,  having  first  sent  an  appointment 
by  the  mail  carrier,  that  if  the  inhabitants  of  AVashiug- 
ton  would  get  together  we  would  address  them  that  even- 
ing. 

We  entered  the  town  at  dark,  stopped  at  a  hotel,  called 
for  lodging  and  supper  and  a  room  for  ourselves ;  and 
asked  the  landlord  if  a  meeting  had  been  got  up  for  us. 
He  said  the  mail  carrier  brought  the  news  of  our  appoint- 
ment, but  he  believed  it  had  been  neglected  to  be  given 
out ;  was  very  sorry,  made  many  apologies,  and  still  offered 
to  have  the  bell  rung  and  the  people  assembled  if  we 
mshed.  We  told  him  we  were  glad  of  an  oppottunity  to 
rest,  and  did  not  wish   a  meeting  at  so  late  an  hour. 

We  retu-ed  to  our  room  and  made  no  fiu-ther  acquaint- 
ance. I^ext  morning  on  takmg  leave,  vre  asked  what  was 
to  pay.  He  answered,  "  not  an3i:hing,"  said  we  vrere  wel- 
come to  his  hospitality  at  any  time,  and  bid  us  call  again. 

Lea\ing  Washington,  we  were  next  entertained  by  a 
very  hospitable  preacher  of  the  Christian  order,  whose 
name  I  have  forgotten.  We  tarried  at  his  house  a  week 
or  two,  and  preached  to  crowded  congregations  in  all  the 
region ;  he  frequently  going  with  us  to  introduce  us  and 
open  the  way.  While  here,  having  a  Uttle  leisiu'o  between 
appointments,  I  went  alone  and  on  foot  to  the  town  of 
Madison,  about  nine  miles  from  his  house.  My  design  was 
to  get  out  an  appointment  and  preach,  which  came  to  pass 
the  same  evening  in  the  following  manner :  I  stepped 
into  a  hotel,  they  were  all  at  dinner,  I  placed  the  Book 
of  Mormon  on  a  public  table  and  sat  down  to  read  a 
newspaper ;  soon  the  boarders  came  out,  and  one  by  one 
looked  at  the  Book,  and  inquired  whose  it  was  ;  soon  the 
landlord  came  out,   who  I    learned  was    so   very  deaf   that 


84 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


one  coiild  only  be  heard  by  placing  mouth  to  ear  and 
shouting  at  the  very  top  of  the  voice.  He  caught  up  the 
Book  and  inquired,  "  Whose  is  this  ?"  I  arose,  placed  my 
arm  round  his  neck,  and  my  mouth  close  to  his  ear,  and 
shouted.  ''It  is  Mi>'e,  and  I  have  co^ie  to  Preach!!" 
This  was  so  loud  that  it  almost  alarmed  the  town.  He 
welcomed  me  to  entertainment  free  of  charge,  had  the 
Court  House  opened,  the  to^^^^  notified,  and  cvenuig  found 
me  in  the  judge's  seat,  a  reporter  in  the  clerk's  desk, 
and  a  crowded  audience.  I  had  good  Uberty  and  aU 
seemed  much  interested. 


GinXG    OUT    AX    APPOINTMENT. 


After  a  few  days  we  resumed  oiu'  journey,  and  in  May 
arrived  in  Kirtland,  where  I  again  met  my  wife  after  an 
absence  of   one   year  and   seven  months. 


CHAPTER     XII. 

Mission  in  Ohio  : — Start  to  Western  Missouri : — Incidents  by  the  Wsty  : — Dis- 
course on  Board  a  Steamer  on  the  4th  of  July  : — Its  Effect : — Arrival  on 
the  Frontiers  : — -Famiing  : — Extortion  : — Mission  in  Missouri  and  Illinois  : — 
Treatment  by  Infidels  :— Great  Success  in  Illinois  : — Opposition  from  Bap- 
tist Ministers  : — Outlines  of  Mr.  Peck's  Speech  and  my  Reply  : — Result : — ■ 
Return  Home  : — A  Voice  from  the  Dead. 

I  SHALL  not  attempt  to  describe  our  feelings  or  our 
joy  5  these  tilings  are  known  by  experience,  not  by 
language.  I  found  her  health  much  impaired,  and  she 
had  long  suffered  from  complaints  of  the  nature  of  con- 
sumption ;  but  she  was  now  reduced  still  further  by  her 
anxious  solicitude  about  my  long  absence. 

When  she  found  herself  once  more  in  the  quiet  enjoy- 
ment of  my  society,  she  gradually  resumed  her  wonted 
cheerfulness,  and  began  to  enjoy  better  health  ;  but  still 
she  was  far  from   being  well. 

After  spending  a  few  weeks  at  home,  I  performed  a 
short  mission  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Ohio,  and  again 
returned,  having  travelled  on  foot  in  the  heat  of  summer 
about  three  hundred  miles.  In  this  mission  I  met  with  no 
success  in  the  ministry,  owing  to  the  prejudice,  ignorance 
and  bigotry  of  the  i^eople,  who  either  would  not  hear  at 
all,  or  else  heard  in  a  careless  manner,  and  went  away 
with  the   same  indifterence   as   they  came. 

I  now  determined  to  take  my  wife  and  our  little  effects 
and  remove  to  Western  Missouri.  To  bear  the  expenses  of 
this  long  journey  my  wife  had  some  sixty  dollars,  which 
she  brought  with   her  from   the  east,  and  certain  men  also 


86       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

put  into  my  hands  sums  of  money  to  be  expended  in 
lands  and  improvements  in  that  country.  With  brother 
Joseph's  counsel  and  blessing  I  bade  farewell  to  Kirtland. 

We  toolc  a  stage  (;oach  for  the  Ohio  Eiver,  thence  by 
steamer  to  St.  Louis,  and  again  by  steamer  up  the  Mis- 
souri. 1  took  a  steerage  passage  among  the  poorer  class, 
and  was  dressed  more  like  a  laborer  than  a  public  minister. 
However,  the  throng  of  passengers  on  the  boat  learned  by 
some  means  that  I  was  a  preacher,  and  on  tlie  4th  of 
July  they  pressed  me  very  hard  to  address  them  in  the 
cabin  in  honor  of  our  national  anniversary.  I  refused  for 
awhile;  but  at  length  complied,  on  conditions  that  steerage 
passengers,  boat  hands,  firemen,  and  all  classes,  black  or 
white,  should  have  the  privilege  of  assembling  in  the  cabin, 
to  hear  the  discourse. 

This  was  readily  complied  with,  and  very  soon  a  large 
assembly  was  convened  and  in  waiting,  consisting  of  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  lawyers,  merchants,  farmers,  servants, 
waiters   and  colored   gentlemen. 

I  presented  myself  before  this  motley  assembly  in  a  plain 
coat  of  gray  satinet,  and  bowed  respectfully.  All  tried  to 
be  grave,  but  a  smile,  a  sneer,  a  look  of  contempt  would 
now  and  then  escape  from  some  of  the  more  genteel  por- 
tion of  the  assembly,  as  if  they  would  say,  "  Can  any  good 
thing  come  out  of  Nazuretli,^^  or,  in  otlier  words,  can  so  j^laiu 
a  man  be  possessed  of  knowledge  sufficient  to  entertain  such 
an  assembly  on  so  important  an  occasion  as  the  4th  of  July, 
and  this,  too,  wdthout  lueparing  a  discourse  beforehand! 

I  read  a  chapter;  all  was  serious  attention.  I  offered  up 
a  prayer  ;  all  was  deep  interest.  I  commenced  a  discourse, 
and  nearly  all  were  in  tears.  I  introdu(!ed  the  Book  of 
Mormon  as  a  record  of  ancient  America  ;  I  dwelt  upon  its 
history  and  i)rophetic  declarations,  now  being  verified  by 
the  erection  of  free  institutions  in  this  great  country, 
and  their  gromng  influence.  I  spoke  of  the  general 
prosperity  and  resouice.s  of  the  country,  acknowledging  the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       87 

hand  of  Providence  in  the  same ;  warned  them  against 
national  pride,  ambition,  and  injustice  ;  exhorted  them,  in 
common  with  all  citizens,  to  use  the  utmost  diligence  to 
preserve  the  general  i)eace  and  the  pure  influence  of  our 
national  institutions;  and  to  improve  in  hght,  intelligence 
and  love,  without  which  we,  too,  might  be  brought  down 
to  destiaiction  like  the  Israelites  and  Nephites  of  old;  and 
our  bones  and  ruined  cities  and  monuments  alone  be  left 
to  other  people,  as  theirs  were  left  to  us,  as  a  testimony 
of  our  greatness  which  would  have  passed  away.  I  also 
showed  them  from  the  Book  of  Mormon  that  we  were 
destined  to  remain  forever  as  a  blessed  and  free  people 
on  this  land,  on  conditions  of  keeping  the  commandments 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  our  settlements  and  commerce 
would  soon  extend  to  the  vast  shores  of  the  Pacific  ocean, 
and  our  ensign  stand  out  to  the  nations  as  a  standard 
inviting  them  to  a  banquet  of  freedom,    peace  and  i)lenty. 

After  meeting  I  was  pressed  upon  to  come  into  the 
cabin  for  the  rest  of  the  passage.  And  even  when  we 
changed  boats  at  Louisville,  such  was  the  influence  of  my 
fellow  passengers,  that  the  gentlemen's  and  also  the  ladies' 
cabin  and  board  was  free  to  me  without  money  or  price. 
One  gentleman  offered  as  high  as  ten  dollars  for  a  copy 
of  the  Book  of  Mormon;  but,  unluckily,  I  had  none  with 
me. 

Arriving  at  the  Colesville  branch,  on  the  western  bound- 
aries of  the  State  (where  I  had  spent  the  previous  winter 
in  sickness  and  poverty),  about  the  1st  of  August,  1832, 
we  commenced  cutting  hay,  building,  purchasing  and  plant- 
ing land,  and  making  every  j)reparation  to  receive  those 
who  had  sent  funds  for  this  piu-pose.  During  the  months 
of  August  and  September  I  had,  with  a  little  help,  secured 
about  fifteen  tons  of  hay,  and  x^^^t  into  the  ground  fifteen 
acres  of  wheat,  besides  building  a  log  house  and  doing 
something  at  fencing,  etc.  These  exertions  in  the  heat  of 
the  season   brought  on    a    severe   illness,    in    which    I  was 


88        AUTOBIOaEAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT. 

nigh  unto  death  ;  but  I  was  again  restored  in  a  few  days 
by  the  laying  on  of  hands  and  prayer  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 
About  this  time  Le^ns  Abbott  arrived  Avith  his  family 
from  Kirtland,  and  having  sent  some  money  by  me,  partly 
to  aid  in  my  expenses,  and  partly  for  the  purpose  of 
making  improvements,  he  became  dissatisfied  and  demanded 
the  utmost  farthing.  This  took  everthing  I  had  done  ; — 
my  wheat  on  the  gTOund,  my  hay,  my  cows  all  but  one, 
and  left  me  entirely  destitute,  after  aU  my  laborious  exer- 
tions. At  this  brother  Abbott  seemed  satisfied,  and 
thought  he  had  got  quite  rich,  and  turned  his  money  to 
good  advantage ;  but  the  curse  of  God  rested  upon  all 
his  property  as  was  soon  manifest. 

The  next  winter  I  took  a  mission  in  company  with  Elder 
Wniiam  E.  McLellin  down  through  the  State  of  JMissouri 
and  into  Illinois,   crossing  the  Mississippi   at  Clarksvilie. 

As  we  approached  Clarksvilie,  we  were  told  by  several 
of  the  inhabitants  near,  not  to  attempt  a  meeting  or  any 
reUgious  instruction  there,  for  they  were  a  hardened  and 
ureclaimable  set  of  blasphemers  and  infidels,  given  to 
gambling,  drinldng  and  cursing,  etc. ;  and  that  many  dif- 
ferent orders  of  the  clergy  had  attempted  in  vam  to  reclaim 
them,  or  even  to  get  a  hearing.  Before  entering  the  town 
we  ascended  a  mountain  and  cried  mightily  unto  the 
Lord  that  He  would  open  our  way,  and  move  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  people  to  receive  us  and  hear  the  Word. 

We  then  entered  the  town  and  called  at  a  hotel.  We 
told  the  landlord  that  we  had  come  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  people,  being  sent  by 
him  Avithout  piu^se  or  scrip.  "  WeU,"  said  he,  "  you  are 
welcome  to  my  house  and  to  such  fare  as  we  have  ;  and 
we  will  meet  together  and  hear  your  rehgion,  and  if  it 
proves  to  be  better  than  ours  we  aWU  embrace  it ;  for  we 
confess  that  our  religion  is  to  fiddle  and  dance,  and  eat  and 
drink,  and  be  merry,  and  gamble  and  swear  a  little  ;  and 
we  believe  this  is  better  than    priestcraft." 


ATTTOBIOGKAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  89 

We  replied  that  we  would  try  them  anyhow.  So  a 
meeting  was  convened ;  we  preached,  had  good  attention, 
and  much  of  a  candid  spirit  of  iuquuy  was  manifest,  and 
we  were  treated  with  hospitality  and  friendship,  and  even 
ferried  over  the  river  free  ;  and  this  was  more  than  those 
religious  sectaries  would  do,  who  had  warned  us  against 
them. 

Passing  over  the  river,  the  next  day  we  came  to  Green 
County,  Illinois  ;  and  as  the  day  drew  to  a  close  we  be- 
gan to  circulate  an  appointment  as  we  travelled  along  a 
thick  settlement  of  thrifty  farmers,  for  preaching  in  a 
school  house  in  the   neighborhood  that    evening. 

As  we  sat  by  the  highway  side  to  rest  oiu'selves,  an 
old  farmer  rode  past  on  horseback,  and  halted  to  ask  if 
we  were  travellers.  We  re])lied  that  we  were  travelling 
to  preach  the  gospel,  and  had  an  ai)pointment  that  eve- 
ning at  the  school  house  just  ahead,  and  invited  him  to 
come  and    hear. 

"  No,"  said  he,  '^T  have  not  attended  a  religious  meet- 
ing this  live  years ;  I  have  long  been  disgusted  and 
tired  of  \)riestcraft  and  religious  ignorance  and  division, 
and  have   concluded   to   stand  aloof  from  it  all." 

"  Well,  we  are  as  much  opposed  to  these  things  as  you 
can  be,  and,  therefore,  have  come  to  preach  the  gospel, 
and  show  the  knowledge  of  God  in  its  ancient  purity, 
being  instructed  and  sent  of  Him  without  purse  or  scrip. 
So  come  and  hear  us," 

"  O  !  indeed,  if  that  is  the    case,   I  will." 

So  he  came ;  the  house  was  crowded  with  Baptists, 
Methodists,   TJniversalists,  Non-professors,   Infidels,  etc. 

We  preached.  After  meeting,  a  Baptist  minister  by  the 
name  of  John  Kussell,  a  very  learned  and  influential  man, 
invited  us  to  tarry  in  the  neighborhood  and  continue  to 
preach ;  he  said  his  house  shoidd  be  oiu-  home,  and  he 
called  a  vote  of  the  people  whether  they  wished  us  to 
preach   more.      The   vote  was  unanimous  in  the  affirmative. 


90  ATTTOBIOGBAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

We  tarried  in  the  iieigliboiiiood  some  two  inoutlis,  and 
preached  daily  in  all  that  region  to  vast  laukitude.s,  both 
in  town  and  country,  in  the  grove,  and  in  school  houses, 
barns  and  dwellings. 

All  parties  were  our  hearers  and  friends,  and  con- 
tributed libeially  to  our  wants ;  aud  the  old  farmer,  whose 
name  was  Calvin,  who  had  not  been  to  meeting  before 
for  five  years,  became  a  constant  hearer,  and  opened  his 
house  for  our  home.  He  was  very  wealthy,  aud  bade  us 
welcome  to  shoes,  clothing,  or  anything  we  needed  ;  many 
Infidels,  Universahsts,   etc.,   did  the   same. 

In  this  neighborhood  there  lived  a  Baptist  minister  by 
the  name  of  Dotson,  who  opjjosed  us  with  much  zeal, 
from  time  to  time,  both  in  i^ublic  and  in  private,  and 
from  house  to  house. 

He  said  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  a  fable ;  a  silly  fool- 
ish mixture  of  matter,  possessing  no  iuterest,  and  that  he 
coidd  write  a  better  book  himself.  However,  his  princi- 
pal objection  was,  that  God  coidd  give  no  new  revelation 
— the  New  Testament  contained  all  the  knowledge  that 
God  had  in  store  for  man,  and  there  was  nothing  re- 
mainiug  unrevealed. 

We  asked  him  to  open  the  New  Testament  and  read 
to  us  the  history  and  destiny  of  the  American  continent 
and  its  inhabitants,  and  the  origin  and  lineage  of  the 
same;  also,  the  history  of  the  ten  tribes  of  Israel,  and 
where  they  now  were.  We  also  asked  him  to  read  to 
us  from  that  book  his  own  commission,  and  that  of  other 
ministers  of  this  age  to  preach  the  gospel.  But  he  could 
do  none  of  these  things  ;  but  still  uisisted  that  there  was 
no  subject  worthy  of  new  revelation,  and  that  no  revela- 
tion   could  be  given. 

Said  I,  "  Mr.  Dotson,  relate  to  me  your  experience  and 
call  to  the  ministry  ?" 

"  Well,"  he  replied,  "  I  will  do  so,  seemg  that  it  is  you, 
friend  Pratt ;    for  you  are  able  to  bear  it,  and  to  compre- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       91 

hend  soinetliing  about  it ;  but  I  have  never  told  it  to  my 
own  members;  and  I  dare  not,  for  they  would  not  believe 
me.'- 

"Well,  Mr.  Dotsou,  be  particular  on  the  manner  and 
means  by  which  j^ou  were  called  to  the  ministry." 

"  Why,  sir,"  said  he,  "J  was  called  hy  a  vocal  voice  from 
Heaven.'''' 

"Well,  Mr.  Dotson,  tliere  is  one  exception  to  your  gen- 
eral rule.  We  come  to  you  with  a  new  revelation,  and  you 
reject  it ;  because  there  can  be  no  new  revelation ;  ajid  yet 
you  profess  to  have  a  new  revelation,  God  having  spoken 
from  the  heavens  and  called  you^  and  commissioned  you  to 
preach  eighteen  hundred  years  after  the  New  Testament 
was  written,  and  all  revelation  hnished !     How  is   this  ? 

"  The  New  Testament  no  where  calls  you  by  name ; 
neither  makes  mention  of  you  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel; 
but  new  revelation  does,  if  we  are  to  believe  you.  And  yet 
you  would  teach  yoiu'  hearers  and  us,  and  all  the  world, 
to  disbelieve  all  modern  revelation  merely  because  it  is 
new.  Consequently,  we  are  all  bound  by  your  own  rule  to 
reject  your  call  to  the  ministry,  and  to  believe  it  is  a  lie." 

He   could   say  no   more. 

At  another  time  he  was  at  Mr.  Eussel's  with  us,  and, 
in  presence  of  Mr.  R.  and  others,  was  opposing  the  Book 
of  Mormon  with   all  his  power. 

We  asked  him  to  listen  while  we  read  a  chapter  in  it. 
He  did  so,  and  was  melted  into  tears,  and  so  affected  and 
confounded  that  he  coidd  not  utter  a  word  for  some  time. 
He  then,  on  recovering,  asked  us  to  his  house,  and  opened 
the  door  for  us  to  preach  in  his  neighborhood.  We  did 
so,  and  were  kindly  entertained  by  him. 

But  after  this,  he  again  hardened  his  heart,  and  finding 
his  opijosition  all  in  vain,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Peck,  of  Rock  Spring,  some  sixty  miles  distant,  inform- 
ing him  that  the  "  Mormons "  were  about  to  take  Green 
County,  and  requesting  his  immediate  attendance. 


92       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

This  Mr.  Peck  was  a  man  of  note,  as  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  lUinois,  and  one  of  its  fii'st  missionaries.  He  had 
labored  for  many  years  in  that  new  conutry  and  in  Mis- 
soim,  and  was  now  Editor  of  a   paper  devoted  to  Baptist 

principles. 

This  gentleman  was  soon  forthcoming,  and  commenced  his 
public  addresses  among  the  people,  to  try  to  convmce  them 
of  the   great  errors  we  had   taught. 

He  said,  there  were  no  antiquities  in  America;  no  ruined 
cities,  buildings,  monuments,  inscriptions,  mounds,  or  fortifi- 
cations, to  show  the  existence  of  such  a  people  as  the  Book 
of  Mormon  described. 

He  also  said,  that  there  were  no  domestic  animals  such 
as  the  cow,  the  ox,  or  the  horse,  found  here  when  Euro- 
peans first  discovered  the  coimtry.  He  then  inquii-ed  how 
these   animals  became  extinct    since  the   destruction  of  the 

Nephites. 

He  said  fiuther,  that  the  fortifications  and  mounds  of  this 
country  were  nothing  more  than  the  works  of  i^ature. 

He  then  warned  the  people  against  the  study  of  the 
prophetic  parts  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  observing 
that  these  mysterious  prophecies  were  directly  calculated  to 
lead  them  into  delusion  and  bewilderment;  that  the  best 
way  to  read  and  understand  prophecy  was,  to  read  it  back- 
wards—that is  to  say,  after  it  is  fulfilled;  that  it  was 
never  designed  to  be  understood  before  it  came  to  pass. 

He  also  taught  that  the  MiUennium  was  already  com- 
menced, and  that  Jesus  Christ  would  not  come,  in  person, 
tiU  the  great  and  last  judgment ;  and  that  the  Millennium 
must  first  continue  a  year  for  each  day  of  the  thousand 
years,  spoken  of  by  John  the  Eevelator,  etc. 

A  meeting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  replying  to  him  5 
the  people  came  out  in  great  numbers. 

I  then  replied  in   substance   as  follows: 

a  My  hearers :— The  Kev.  Mr.  Peck  is  a  great  man.  He  is 
a  man  of  age  and  varied  experience  and  learning.     I  am  but 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       93 

a  youth,  inferior  to  him  ui  all  these  respects.  I  reverence 
his  gray  liaii's ;  I  respect  his  learning ;  I  admire  his  talents 
and  ingenuity;  and  I  feel  a  delicacy  in  replying  to  him; 
and  nothing  but  a  love  for  the  truth  and  a  hatred  of  er- 
ror and  falsehood,  could  induce  me  to  come  in  contact 
with  him  before  the  public ;  l)ut  where  truth  and  salvation 
are  at  stake  I  cannot  shrink  from  duty,  in  consideration 
of  age  or  talent ;  I  cannot  spare  the  man,  even  if  he  were 
my  father. 

"  To  do  away  the  Book  of  Mormon,  we  are  called  upon 
to  believe  that  the  temples,  statues,  pyramids,  sculptures, 
monujueutg,  engra'sangs,  mounds  and  fortitications,  now  in 
ruins  on  the  American  continent,  are  all  the  works  of  Na- 
tui'e  in  her  plaj^ful  moments ;  that  the  bones  of  slumber- 
ing nations  were  never  clothed  upon  Anth  flesh,  and  that 
their  sleeping  dust  was  never   animated  with   life. 

"  This  is  too  monsti'ous ;  it  is  too  marvellous,  too  miracu- 
lous for  our  credulity ;  we  can  never  believe  that  these 
things  are  the  works  of  Nature,  luiaided  by  hiunan  art ; 
we  are  not  so  fond  of  the  marvellous. 

"Again,  we  are  told  that  no  cows  or  oxen  were  here 
when  Europeans  first  came  to  the  country.  I  would  ask 
what  the  wild  buflalo  are,  if  they  are  not  the  cattle  of 
the  ancient  inhabitants  ?  1  would  ask  how  horse  tracks 
came  to  be  imbedded  in  the  petrified  rock  of  Kentucky, 
without  a  horse  to  make  them  I  And  if  no  race  of  ani- 
mals could  become  extinct,  which  once  existed  hen-,  I 
would  ask  Mr.  Peck  either  to  produce  a  living  mam- 
moth, or  annihilate  his  bones.  But,  perhaps,  the  reverend 
gentleman  would  say  that  those  bones,  too,  were  the 
works  of  nature,  and  that  the  huge  animal  they  seem  to 
represent  never  existed. 

"Again,  my  hearers,  we  are  warned  against  the  study  of 
prophecy.  We  are  told  that  a  careful  perasal  of  the 
prophecies,  which  the  reverend  gentleman  is  pleased  to 
call    '■  mysteriousj^    is    a     principal    cause    of    our    delusion 


94       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  Windness;   aud  that  the  prophecies  were  ouly  designed 
to-  be  read   and  understood  after  they  were  fultiUed. 

"  We  will  apply  this  nJe,  aud  learn  its  workings  by  prac- 
tical  experience. 

"The  people  at  the  time  of  the  flood  adopted  this 
rule,  all  save  eight  souls.  Mr.  Peck's  thex^logy  was  then 
almost  cathohc.  The  universal  world  (save  eight)  were 
disposed  to  remam  in  ignorance  as  to  the  meaning  of 
prophecy  till  after  its  fulfilment.  The  result  was  that  they 
knew  not  until  the  flood  came  and  swept  them  aU  away  5 
then  they  coidd  understand. 

"  The  people  of  Sodom  were  all  of  Mr.  Peck's  faith— aU 
save  Lot   and  his  family ;    they  also   perished  unawares. 

"The  Jews  also  were  of  this  same  school — I  mean  those 
who  perished  in  the  siege  of  Jerusalem,  in  fulfilment  of 
the  prophecy  of  Jesus  Christ,  recorded  in  the  21st  chap- 
ter of   Luke. 

"And  permit  me  here  to  remind  my  hearers  that  this 
ancient  system  of  theolog-y,  will  certainly  prevail  to  an  al- 
most universal  extent  at  the  time  of  the  coming  of  the 
Son  of  Man.  For  Jesus  liimself  testified  that,  as  it  was 
in  the  days  of  :N^oah  and  in  the  days  of  Lot,  so  shoidd 
it  be  m  the  days  of  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man.  I 
would  here  pause  and  congTatidate  my  reverend  friend  on 
the  glorious  and  popular  prospects  before  him.  Certain  it 
is  that  most  of  the  world  vnW,  at  some  future  day,  be 
of  his  faith  in  this  respect ;  they  wiU  let  the  prophecies 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures  alone,  and  not  attempt  to  under- 
stand them  until  after  their  fulfilment. 
"But  we   are  of   another   school. 

"We  believe  in  Jesus,  who  said  ^search  the  Scrij)ti(rcs  ^' 
we  believe  with  Peter,  tliat  we  have  a  more  siu-e  word 
of  prophecy,  unto  which  we  do  well  to  take  heed,  as  unto 
a  liglit  shining  in  a  dark  place :  until  the  day  dawn,  and 
the  day  star   arise  in   our  hearts. 

"We    believe  the   Apostle  when  he  says  that,     '  whateo- 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  T.  PRATT.       95 

ever  was  written  aforetime  was  written  for  onr  profit  and 
learning;  tliat,  we  tlirongli  patience  and  comfort  of  the 
Scriptures,  might  have  hope.'  We  wish  to  l3e  chiklren  of 
the  light  and  not  of  darkness;  that  that  day  come  not 
upon  us  unawares.  In  short  we  wish,  like  Timothy  of 
old,  to  understand  the  Scriptures  from  our  very  child- 
hood; considering  that  they  are  able  to  make  us  wise 
unto  salvatioii,  through  faith  in  Christ  Jesus. 

"Again,  we  are  told  that  the  world  is  in  the  enjoyment 
of  the  Millennium,  or  thousand  years  of  rest,  spoken  of 
by  John,  the  Eevelator. 

"  Of  course  then  Satan  is  bound,  and  does  not  tempt 
any  man.  The  martyrs  of  Jesus,  and  those  who  kept  his 
commandments  are  raised  from  the  dead,  and  are  now 
present  on  the  earth  reigning  with  Jesus  Clu-ist.  The 
nations  learn  war  no  more,  none  are  in  ignorance,  none 
in  darkness,  the  knowledge  of  God  covers  the  earth  as 
the  waters  do  the  seas.  The  cow  and  the  leopard,  the 
kid  and  the  bear,  the  wolf  and  the  lamb,  the  lion,  the 
serpent  and  the  little  child,  all  dwell  together  in  peace. 
For  such  events  the  prophets  have  described  in  connection 
with  the  Millennium. 

"  But  the  great  announcement  of  all— the  most  important 
conuuunication  made  to  us  by  Mr.  Peck   is  concerning  the 
time  of   the  second    coming  of   Jesus   Christ.     It  was  now 
ascertained    by   him    to    be    postponed    till    the   great  and 
last  day;    and  that  we  are  to  liave  a  Millennium  of  three 
hundred    and    sixty-Jive    thousand  l  years    first,    before    Christ 
comes.     Only  think  !    '  three    htimTred  and  sixty-fire  thousand  P 
Why,  according  to  this  calculation  the  world  is    yet  in  its' 
infancy ;    we    are    early  in    the    morning  of   creation.     The  , 
great  day  of  the   existence  of  the  world  tas  only  dawned-  ^ 
a  long  and  glorious  race  is    yet  before  the  generations  of  - 
man.     What    is  the    age  of  Adam  or    Methuselah!     ^Tiat ' 
the  few  fleet    years   of   the  earth's    existence,    compared  to 
the  time  yet  to  come  before  its   end!  ~' 


96       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PRATT. 

"  O,  ye  holy  apostles  and  saints  of  old,  had  you  been 
in  possession  of  the  knowledge  of  the  astounding  facts  now 
announced  by  this  reverend  gentleman,  you  woidd  never 
have  warned  mankind  so  repeatedly  to  be  ready  for  the 
great  day  of  the  Lord,  for  it  was  soon  at  hand. 

''And  had  Jesus  Christ  known  this  fact,  he  would  never 
have  warnetl  the  world  of  the  danger  of  that  day  coming 
on  them  unawares.  He  and  his  Apostles  would  have  said: 
it  is  yet  far — very  far  off.  The  Millennium  must  fli'st 
dawn,  and  then  continue  three  hundred  and  sixty-five 
thousand  years;  and  then,  -  behold,  I  wHl  come  to  judge 
the  world. 

"But,  my  hearers,  please  read  the  prophet  Zechariah  on 
this  subject,  chap.  14. 

"We  are  there  informed  that  'Jesus  Christ  will  come, 
and  all  the  saints  with  him,'— that  he  will  'set  his  feet 
on  the  Mount  of  OUves;'  that  he  will  'deliver  the  Jews 
and  Jerusalem  from  their  enemies;'  that  he  will  'destroy 
those  who  are  in  the  seige  against  that  city;'  and  that 
he  will  'reign  as  a  king  over  all  the  earth,  from  that 
time    forth;    and    there  shall    be  one  Lord  and    his  name 

one.' 

"Now,  if  he  comes  and  all  the  saints  with  him,  it  can- 
not be  his  first  coming.  If  he  comes  to  fight  for  the 
Jews  and  overthrow  their  enemies,  it  cannot  be  his  fii'st 
coming.  If  the  Mount  of  Ohves  rends  in  twain  at  the 
same  time,  and  opens  so  as  to  form  a  great  valley  in  the 
place  thereof,   it  lias  no  connection    with    his  first  coming. 

"Again,  if  he  comes  to  reign  as  a  ^Eing  over  all  the 
eatih,''  it  can  have  no  allusion  to  the  last  judgment, — the 
end  of  the  earth.  Consequently,  if  Zechariah  has  told  the 
truth,  we  are  to  expect  the  coudug  of  Jesus  Christ  dis- 
tinct from  his  first  coming;  unconnected  's\atli  the  last 
judgment,  at  the  very  commencement  of  his  reign  of  a 
thousand  years,  which  we  call  the  MiUenniimi;  but  wliich, 
Mr.  Peck  says,  has  commenced,  entirely  independent  of  any 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       07 

such  event.  But  what  can  Ave  expect  of  a  man  when  he 
comments  upon  the  prophecies,  while  at  the  same  time  he 
contends  that  none  can  understand  them  until  after  their 
fulfilment. 

"Of  course,  my  hearers,  he  himself  acts  upon  the  prin- 
ciple which  he  lays  down  to  others;  and  if  he  does,  he 
never  studies,  never  searches  the  prophecies,  acknowledges 
himself  in  darkness  on  all  subjects  connected  with  unful- 
filled prophecy;  expects  to  remain  so,  and  expects  his 
hearers  to  do  the  same. 

"O,  my  beloved  friends,  have  the  people  of  this  western 
country  been  led  in  darkness  for  so  many  years  by  learned 
and  reverened  gentlemen!  are  they  mlling  to  remain  in 
darkness  now,  when  the  veil  is  withdrawn,  and  his  folly 
made  manifest  before  all  the  people,  and  this  too  by  his 
own  Avords,  uttered  in  presence  of  you  all  ? 

"If  so,  folloAV  him,  and  cleave  to  him  as  your  teacher. 
But  if  not,  we  exhort  you  to  hold  fast  the  truth  as  we 
have  delivered  it  to  you;  come  forward  this  day,  and  obey 
the  ordinances  of  God;  seek  for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  guide 
you  into  all  truth,  and  continue  to  search  the  Scriptures 
for  more  light,  and  God  vnll  bless  you  forever.     Amen." 

After  this  meeting  some  of  the  Baptists  and  others 
came  forward  and  were  baptized,  and  joined  the  Church 
of  the  Saints;  and  the  people  in  general  remained  stead- 
fast in  the  faith,  and  were  unmoved  by  the  exertions  of 
Messrs.  Peck  and  Dotson. 

This  tilled  them  with  envy,  and  they  soon  began  to 
manifest  a  lying  and  abusive  spirit  to  such  a  degree  that 
all  the  people  coidd  see  and  distingiiish  plainly  between 
the  spirits  of  truth  and  error. 

Mr.  Peck  soon  took  leave  and  retired  home,  and  we  con- 
tinued oiu-  mission. 

Hundreds  of  the  people  were  convinced  of  the  truth,  but 
the  hearts  of  many  were  too  much  set  on  the  world  to 
obey  the  gospel ;   we,   therefore,   baptized  only  a  few  of  the 


98       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

people,  and  organized  a  smaU  society,  and  about  the  first 
of  June  took  leave  and  returned  home. 
-  Having  rested  myself  a  few  days,  I  now  commenced 
again  to  cultivate  the  earth.  I  plowed  about  six  acres 
of  gTound  for  wheat,  and  was  busy  from  day  to  day  m 
the  woods,  preparing  timber  to  fence  the  same,  when  the 
foUowing  dream,  or  night  rision,  was  given  me : 

A  man  came  to  me  and  called  me  with  a  loud  voice: 
"Parley,  Parley."  I  answered,  "Here  am  I."  Said  he, 
"Cease  splitting  rails,  for  the  Lord  has  prepared  you  for 
a  greater  work."  I  answered,  "Whereby  shall  I  know 
that  this  message  is  from  the  Lord?"  He  replied,  "Follow 
me,  and  I  will  show  you." 

I  followed  him  for  some  distance  along  a  long  path,  and 
.  at  last  came  to  a  place  of  ancient  sepulchres,  where 
many  of  the  Nephites  of  old  had  been  buried.  One  of 
these  opened,— the  flesh  of  the  man  withered  away;  he 
became  Uke  a  skeleton,  and  passed  do^^i  into  the  grave. 
I  understood  and  knew  by  the  spmt,  that  this  signified 
that  it  was  the  voice  of  one  from  the  dead  which  had 
spoken  to  me.  I  therefore  exclaimed,  "It  is  enough;  I 
know  the  message  is  of  the  Lord;  return  unto  me,  that 
we  may  converse  together."  He  then  came  forth  out  of 
the  grave,  was  again  clothed  upon  with  a  body  like  a 
man,   and  he  talked  with  me,   and  told  me  many  things. 

I  awoke  the  next  morning,  and  thought  of  my  dream, 
but  I  was  necessitated,  as  I  thought,  to  finish  my  fence 
and  sow  my  crop  before  I  ceased  to  labor  Avith  my  hands. 
I,  therefore,  continued  to  make  and  haul  rails  from  the 
woods.  I  perfected  my  fence  and  sowed  my  crop,  but  I 
ne^•er  reaped;  I  never  saw  the  wheat  after  it  was  more 
than  three  inches  high. 


CHAPTER     XIII. 

Prosperity  of  the  Church: — Scliool  in  Zion: — Revelation: — Mob: — Destruction 
of  ^  Printing  Office  : — Defence  : — Prisoners  : — Journey  to  Lexington  : — A 
Dream: — Its  Fullllment: — Battle :-^Defeat  of  the  Robbers: — A  Miracle: — 
Defence  Construed  into  Murder: — Gov.  Boggs  and  Militia  Join  the  Mob. 
— Church  Driven  from  the  County: — Plunderings  and  Burnings: — Insur- 
rections:— Signs  in  the  Heavens: — Action  of  the  Governor: — Attorney- 
General  Driven  from  Court: — Refugees  Settle  m  the  North: — A  Bandit 
Chief  Made   Governor. 

XT  was  now  the  summer  of  1833,  Immigration  had  poured 
-*-  into  the  County  of  Jac-kson  in  great  numbers;  and  the 
Chiu'ch  in  that  county  now  numbered  upwards  of  one 
thousand  souls.  These  had  all  purchased  lands  and  paid 
for  them,  and  most  of  them  were  improving  in  buildings 
and  in  cultivation.  Peace  and  plenty  had  crowned  their 
labors,  and  the  wilderness  became  a  fruitful  field,  and  the 
solitary  place  began  to  bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose. 

They  lived  in  peace  and  quiet ;  no  laAvsuits  with  each 
other  or  with  the  world;  few  or  no  debts  were  contracted; 
few  promises  broken ;  there  were  no  thieves,  robbers,  or 
miu'derers  ;  few  or  no  idlers  ;  all  seemed  to  worshi^j  God 
with  a  ready  heart.  On  Sundays  the  people  assembled  to 
preach,  pray,  sing,  and  receive  the  ordinances  of  God. 
Other  days  all  seemed  busy  in  the  various  i)ursuits  of 
industry.  In  short,  there  has  seldom,  if  ever,  been  a 
happier  people  upon  the  earth  than  the  Chm^ch  of  the 
Saints  now  were. 

In  the  latter  part  of  summer  and  in  the  autumn,  I 
devoted  almost  my  entire  time  in  ministering  among  the 
churches  ;  holding  meetings  ;   ^asiting  the  sick  •    comforting 


100      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

the  afflicted,   and   giving  counsel.      A  school  of  Elders  was 
also  organized,   over  which  I  was  called  to  preside.     This 
class    to    the    number   of   aboiit    sixty,   met    for  instruction 
once  a  week.      The  place  of  meeting  was  in  the  open  air, 
under   some  tall  trees,  in  a  retired  place  in  the  wilderness 
where  we   prayed,   preached  and  prophesied,   and   exercised 
ourselves    in    the    gifts    of    the    Holy    Spirit.      Here    great 
blessings  were  poured  out,   and  many  great  and  marvellous 
things   were  manifested    and    taught.      The    Lord    gave    me 
great    wisdom,    and    enabled    me    to    teach    and    edify    the 
Elders     and   comfort  and   encourage  them  in  their  prepara- 
tions for  the  great  work  which  lay  before  ns.      I  was  also 
much  edified  and  strengthened.    To  attend  this  school  I  had 
to   travel   on   Ibc^t,    and    sometimes    with    bare  ffeet  at  that, 
about  six  mUes.      This  I  did  once  a  week,  besides  visitmg 
and  preaching  in  five  or  six  branches  a  week. 

While  thus  engaged,  and  in  answer  to  our  eoiTespond- 
ence  with  the  Prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  at  Kirtland,  Ohio 
the    following    revelation    was    sent    to    ns    by    hnn,    dated 

August,  1833  : 

"Verily  I  say  unto  you,  my  friends,  I  speak  unto  you 
with  my  voice,  even  the  voice  of  my  Spirit;  that  I  may 
show  unto  you  my  will  conceinuig  your  brethren  m  the 
land  of  Zion  ;  many  of  whom  are  truly  humble,  and  are 
seeking  diligently  to  learn  wisdom  and  to  find  truth; 
verily,  verily  I  say  mito  you,  blessed  are  such  for  they 
shall  obtain  ;  for  I,  the  Lord,  showeth  mercy  unto  all  the 
meek,  and  upon  all  whomsoever  I  will,  that  I  may  be 
justified  when  I   shall  bring  them   into  judgment. 

"  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  concerning  the  school  ui  Zion, 
I  the  Lord  am  well  pleased  that  there  should  be  a  school 
in  Zion  ;  and  also  with  nty  servant.  Parley  P.  Pratt,  for 
he  abideth  in  me  ;  and  inasmuch  as  he  continueth  to  abide 
in  me  he  shall  continue  to  preside  over  the  school  in  the 
land  of  Zion  until  I  shall  give  unto  hiin  other  command- 
ments ;   and  I  will  bless  him  with  a  multiplicity  of  bless- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      101 

ings  in  e>:])ouiu1iiig-  all  Scriptiu'es  and  mysteries  to  the 
edification  of  the  school  and  of  the  Church  in  Ziou,  and  to 
the  residue  of  the  school  I,  the  Lord,  am  willing  to  show 
mercy  ;  nevertheless,  there  are  those  that  must  needs  be 
chastened,  and  their  works  shall  be  made  known.  The  axe 
is  laid  at  the  root  of  the  ti'ees,  and  every  tree  that  bringeth 
not  forth  good  fruit,  shall  be  hewn  down  and  cast  into  the 
fire  ;  I,  the  Lord  have  spoken  it.  Yerily  I  say  unto  you, 
all  among  them  who  know  their  hearts  are  honest,  aiul  are 
broken,  and  their  spirits  contrite,  and  are  wilhng  to  observe 
their  covenants  by  sacrifice  ;  yea,  every  sacrifice  which  I, 
the  Lord,  shall  command,  they  are  all  accepted  of  me,  for  I, 
the  Lord,  will  cause  them  to  bring  forth  as  a  verj'  fruitful 
tree  which  is  planted  in  a  goodly  land,  by  a  pure  stream 
that  jieldeth  much  precious  fruit. 

"  Verily  I  say  imto  you,  that  it  is  my  will  that  an  house 
should  be  built  unto  me  in  the  land  of  Zion,  like  unto  the 
pattern  which  I  have  given  you  ;  yea,  let  it  be  built 
speedily  by  the  tithing  of  my  people  ;  behold,  this  is  the 
tithing  and  the  sacrifice  which  I,  the  Lord,  require  at  their 
hands  ;  that  there  may  be  an  house  built  unto  me  for  the 
salvation  of  Zion,  for  a  place  of  thanksgi\dng  for  all  saints, 
and  for  a  place  of  instruction  for  all  those  who  are  called 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  all  their  several  callings  and 
offices,  that  they  may  be  perfected  in  the  understanding  of 
their  ministry  in  theory,  in  principle,  and  in  doctrine;  in 
all  things  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  God  on  the  earth, 
the  keys   of  which  kingdom  have  been  conferred  upon  you. 

"  And  inasmuch  as  my  people  build  an  house  unto  me 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  do  not  suffer  any  unclean 
thing  to  come  into  it  that  it  be  not  defiled.  My  glory 
shall  rest  upon  it ;  yea,  and  my  presence  shall  be  there ; 
for  I  will  come  into  it,  and  all  the  pure  in  heart  that 
shall  come  into  it  shall  see  God  ;  but  if  it  be  defiled  I 
will  not  come  into  it,  and  my  glory  shall  not  be  there 
for  I  will  not  come  into  unholy  temples. 


102  AUTOBIOGrKAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PKATT. 

"  And  uow  behold,  if  Zion  do  these  things  she  shall 
prosper  and  spread  herself  and  become  very  glorious,  very 
great,  and  very  terrible  ;  and  the  nations  of  the  earth 
shall  honor  her  and  shall  say,  surely  Zion  is  the  city  of 
our  God  ;  and  surely  Zion  cannot  fall,  neither  be  moved 
out  of  her  place  ;  for  God  is  there,  and  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  is  there,  and  He  hath  sworn  by  the  power  of  His 
might  to  be  her  salvation  and  her  high  tower  ;  therefore, 
verily  thus  saith  the  Lord,  let  Zion  rejoice,  for  this  is 
Zion,  THE  PURE  IN  HEART ;  therefore  let  Zion  rejoice 
while  all  the  wicked  shall  mourn  ;  for  behold,  and  lo  ! 
vengeance  cometh  speedily  upon  the  ungo<lly  as  the  whhl- 
wind,  and  who  shall  esca])e  it  ?  The  Lord's  s<;ourge  shall 
pass  over  by  night  and  by  day,  and  the  report  thereof 
shall  vex  all  people  ;  yet  it  shall  not  be  stayed  until  the 
Lord  come ;  for  the  hidignation  of  the  Lord  is  kindled 
against  theu'  abominations  and  all  their  wicked  works ; 
nevertheless,  Zion  shall  escape  if  she  observe  to  do  all 
things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  her ;  but  if  she 
observes  not  to  do  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  her,  I 
Avill  visit  her,  accordmg  to  all  her  works,  with  sore  afflic- 
tion ;  with  pestilence  ;  with  Y)lag-ue  ;  with  sword  ;  with 
vengeance ;  with  devouring  lire ;  nevertheless,  let  it  be 
read  this  once  in  their  ears,  that  I,  the  Lord,  have 
accepted  of  their  oftering ;  and  if  she  sin  no  more  none 
of  these  things  shall  come  upon  her,  and  I  T\ill  bless  her 
with  blessings,  and  uniltiply  a  multi]>licity  of  blessings 
upon  her  and  upon  her  generations  forever  and  ever,  saith 
the  Lord  your  God.      Amen." 

This  revelation  was  not  complied  ^ith  by  the  leaders 
and  Church  in  Missouri,  as  a  whole  ;  notwithstanding  many 
were  humble  and  faithfid.  Therefore,  the  threatened  judg- 
ment was  poured  out  to  the  uttermost,  as  the  history  of 
the  five  following  years  will  show. 

That  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  Jackson  County  which 
did    not    belong     to    the    Church,    became   jealous    of   our 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      103 

growing  iutlueuce  and  numbers.  Political  demagogues 
were  afraid  we  should  rule  the  county ;  and  religious 
priests  and  bigots  felt  that  we  were  powerful  rivals,  and 
about  to  excel  all  other  societies  in  the  State  in  numbers, 
and  in  power  and  influence. 

These  feelings,  and  the  false  statements  and  influences 
growing  out  of  them,  ga\  e  rise  to  the  organization  of  a 
company  of  outlaws,  wliose  avowed  object  was  to  drive 
the   Church   of  the   Saints   from  the  county. 

These  were  composed  of  lawyers,  magistrates,  county 
officers,  civil  and  military  ;  religious  ministers,  and  great 
numbers  of  the  ignorant  and  uninformed  portion  of  the 
population,   whose  prejudices  were  easily    aroused. 

They  commenced  operations  by  assembling  in  great  num- 
bers, destroying  a  printing  office  and  its  materials ;  de- 
molishing dwelluigs  and  stores,  and  plundering  the  con- 
tents and  strewing  them  in  the  street ;  cutting  open 
feather  beds,  breaking  furniture,  destroying  fences  and 
crops,  whipijiug,  threatening  and  variously  abusing  men, 
women  and  cliildren,    etc. 

The  saints  submitted  to  these  outrages  for  a  time  in 
all  patience,  without  defence  or  resistance  of  any  kind, 
supposing  that  the  public  authorities  would  of  course  put 
a  stop  to  them,   as  in  duty  bound. 

But  they  were  soon  convinced  to  the  contrary,  and  were 
compelled  to  take  up  arms  for  defence  ;  and  also  to  make 
the  most  \igorous  exertions  to  prosecute  accorduig  to 
law.  We  assembled  in  small  bodies  in  difterent  neigh- 
borhoods, and  stood  on  guard  during  the  nights,  being 
ready  to   march   in   a  moment  to   any  place  of  attack. 

I  had  the  command  of  about  sixty  men  who  were  thus 
assembled  in  the  Colesville  branch ;  and  rendezvoused  in 
some  log  buildings   during   a  very  raijiy    time. 

It  was  evening.  I  was  out  in  the  act  of  posting  giiards 
a  short  distance  from  the  dwellings,  when  two  men  assailed 
us,   armed  with   guns  and  pistols ;  and  supposing  it  against 


104  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

OUT  principles  to  make  any  defence,  they  attacked  the 
guards.  I  was  without  arms,  but  stepped  forward  to  inter- 
fere between  tlieni,  when  one  of  them  drew  his  gun  back- 
wards, and,  with  both  hands,  struck  the  barrel  of  it  across 
the  top  of  my  head.  I  staggered  back,  but  did  not  fall ; 
the  blood  came  streaming  down  my  face,  and  I  was  for 
an  instant  stunned  by  the  blow  ;  but,  recovering  myself,  I 
called  help  from  the  house  and  disarmed  them,  and  put 
them  under  guard  till  morning.  Their  arms  were  then 
restored,   and   they  let  go  in  peace. 

The    taking    of    these    two    men     proved    a    preventive 
against  an  attack  that  night.      Thej'  were  the    advance  of 
a  party  of  men  who  were  about  to  coiue  upon   the   settle 
ment,  but  were  disconcerted  by  this    means. 

On  the  next  day,  about  sunset,  myself  and  a  Mr. 
Marsh  set  out  on  horseback  to  visit  the  Circuit  Judge  at 
Lexington,  a  distance  of  some  forty  miles.  We  were  un- 
der the  necessity  of  travelling  the  most  private  paths 
across  the  country,  in  order  to  avoid  our  enemies ;  but 
we  had  a  most  faithful  pilot,  an  old  resident  of  the 
country,  wlio  knew  every  crook  and  turn  of  the  different 
paths. 

We  had  ridden  but  a  few  miles  when  it  became  so  ex- 
cessively dark  that  we  could  not  see  each  other,  or  dis- 
tinguish any  object.  Our  pilot  dismounted  several  times 
and  tried  to  feel  his  way.  We  were  at  last  compelled 
to  halt  for  some  time,  until  it  cleared  and  became  a 
little  lighter  ;  but  the  rain  began  to  fall  in  torrents,  and 
continued  all  the  latter  part  of  the  night.  We  soon  be- 
came drenched,  and  every  thread  about  us  perfectly  wet; 
but  still  we  dare  not  stop  for  any  refreshment  or  shelter, 
until  day  dawned,  when  we  found  ourselves  forty  miles 
fiom  home  and  at  the  door  of  a  friend,  where  we  break- 
fasted and  refreshed    ourselves. 

We  then  repaired  to  Lexington,  and  made  oath  before 
Judge    Kyland  of   the    outrages    committed    upon    us,    but 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      1()5 

were  refused  a  warrant.  The  Judge  advised  us  to  fight 
and  kill  the  outlaws  whenever  they  came  ui)on  us.  We 
then  returned  to  the  place  where  we  breakfasted,  and, 
night  coining  on,  we  retired  to  bed.  Having  been  with- 
out slee})  for  the  three  i)re\aous  nights,  and  much  of  the 
time  drenched  with  rain,  this,  together  with  the  severe 
wound  1  had  leceived,  caused  me  to  feel  much  exhausted. 
No  sooner  had  sleep  enfolded  me  in  her  kind  emlbrace 
than  a  vision  opened  before  me. 

I  was  in  Jackson  County;  heard  the  sound  of  firearms, 
a*id  saw  the  killed  and  wounded  lying  in  their  blood.  At 
this  I  awoke  from  slumber,  and  awakmg  Mr  Marsh  and  the 
family  with  whom  we  lodged,  I  told  them  what  I  had  seen 
and  heard  in  my  dream,  and  that  I  was  sure  a  battle  had 
just  occurred. 

Next  morning  we  pursued  oiu'  journey  homeward  with 
feelings  of  anxiety  indescribable.  Every  ofl&cer  of  the  peace 
had  abandoned  us  to  our  fate ;  and  it  seemed  as  if  there  was 
no  alternative  but  for  men,  women  and  children  to  be  exter- 
minated. As  we  rode  on,  ruminating  ui)on  these  things,  a  man 
met  us  from  Independence,  who  told  us  there  was  a  battle 
raging  when  he  left ;  and  how  it  had  terminated  he  knew  not. 

This  only  heightened  our  feelings  of  anxiety  and  sus- 
pense. We  were  every  instant  drawing  nearer  to  the  spot 
where  we  might  find  our  friends  alive  and  victorious,  or 
dead,  or  perhaps  in  bondage,  in  the  hands  of  a  worse  than 
savage  enemy. 

On  coming  within  four  miles  of  Independence,  we  ven- 
tured to  inquire  the  distance  at  a  certain  house ;  this  we 
did  in  order  to  pass  as  strangers,  and  also,  in  hopes  to 
learn  some  news ;  the  man  seemed  frightened,  and  inquired 
where  we  were  from.  We  replied,  from  Lexington.  Said  he, 
"  Have  you  heard  what  has  happened  f  We  replied,  '^  That 
we  had  heard  there  was  some  difficulty,  but  of  all  the  par- 
ticulars we  had  not  been  informed."  "  Why,"  said  he,  "  the 
Mormons  have  ns,  and  have  killed  six  men." 


106      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

We  then  passed  on,  and  as  soon  as  we  were  ont  of 
sight  we  left  the  road  and  took  into  the  woods. 

Taking  a  circnitous  route,  through  thickets  of  hazel  in- 
terwoven ^ith  graiJe  vine,  we  came  in  sight  of  Independ- 
ence, after  some  difficulty  and  entanglement,  and  advanced 
towards  it ;  but  seeing  jiarties  of  armed  men  advancing 
towards  us,  we  wheeled  about,  and  retreating  a  distance, 
tunied  again  into  the  woods,  and,  galloping  about  a  half 
mile,  reached  the   tents   of  our  fiiends. 

But  wluit  was  our  astonishment  when  we  found  our 
brethren  without  arms,  having  surrendered  them  to  the 
enemy ! 

The  truth  was  this :  The  same  evening  that  I  dreamed 
of  the  battle,  a  large  body  of  the  outlaws  had  marched  to 
a  certain  settlement,  where  they  had  before  committed  many 
outrages,  and  commenced  to  unroof  dwellings,  destroy  pro 
I)erty,  and  threaten  and  abuse  women  and  children.  While 
some  sixty  men  were  thus  engaged,  and  theii-  horses  quietly 
regaling  themselves  in  the  cornfields  of  the  brethren,  about 
thirtj-  of  our  men  marched  upon  them,  and  drove  them 
from  the  field.  Several  were  severely  if  not  mortally 
wounded  on  both  sides  5  and  one  young  man  of  the  Church 
died  of  his  wounds  the  next  day — his  name  was   Barber. 

In  the  battle  brother  Philo  Dibble,  of  Ohio,  was  shot  in 
the  body  through  his  waistband ;  the  ball  remained  in  hun. 
He  bled  much  inwardly,  and,  in  a  day  or  two  his  bowels 
were  so  tilled  with  blood  and  so  inflamed  that  he  was  about 
to  die,  or,  rather,  he  had  been  slowly  djiug  from  the  time 
he  was  wounded.  The  smell  of  himself  had  become  intol- 
erable to  him  and  those  about  him.  At  leng-th  Elder 
Newel  Knight  administered  to  him,  by  the  lajing  on  of 
hands,  in  the  name  of  Jesus ;  his  hands  had  scarcely 
touched  his  head  when  he  felt  an  operation  jienetrating  his 
whole  system  sis  if  it  had  been  a  purifying  fire.  He  im- 
mediately disciiarged  several  quarts  of  blood  and  connip- 
tion,  among  which   was  the   ball    mth  which  he  had  been 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  107 

wounded.  He  was  instantly  healed,  and  went  to  work  cliop- 
ping  wood.  He  remained  an  able  bodied  man,  a  bard 
worker,  and  even  did  military  duty  for  many  years  after. 
He  is   still  living   in  Davis   County,  Utah. 

The  next  morning,  Nov.  5,  armed  men  were  assembled  in 
Independence  from  every  part  of  the  county.  These  joined 
the  outlaws,  and  called  themseh^es  militia,  and  placed  them- 
selves under  the.  command  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Boggs 
and  a  colonel  by  the  name  of  Pitcher.  Thus  organized, 
manned  and  officered,  they  were  a  formidable  band  of  out- 
laws; capable  of  murder,  or  any  other  violence  or  outrage 
which  would  accomplish  their  purpose;  which  was  to  drive 
the  people  of  the  Church  from  the  county,  and  plunder 
their  property  and  possess    their  lands. 

Very  early  the  same  morning,  several  volunteers  united 
their  forces  from  different  branches  of  the  Church  and 
marched  towards  Independence,  in  order  to  defend  their 
brethren  and  friends.  When  within  a  short  distance  from 
the  town  they  halted,  and  were  soon  informed  that  the 
mihtia  were  called  out  tbr  their  protection ;  but  in  this  they 
did  not  place  confidence;  for  they  saw  that  the  armed  body 
congregated  had  joined  with  the  mobbers  and  outlaws,  and 
were  one  with  them  to  carry  out  their  murderous  purjioses. 
On  communicating  with  the  leaders,  Boggs  and  Pitcher,  it 
was  found  that  there  was  no  alternative  but  for  the  Church 
to  leave  the  county  forthwith,  ^and  deliver  up  their  arms, 
and  certain  men  to  be  tried  for  murder,  said  to  have  been 
committed  in   the  battle  the  previous  evening. 

Rather  than  have  submitted  to  these  outrageous  require- 
ments the  saints  would  willingly  have  shed  their  blood;  but 
they  knew  that  if  they  resisted  this  mob,  the  hes  of  the 
designing  and  the  prejudice  of  the  ignorant  would  construe 
their  resistance  into  a  violation  of  law,  and  thus  bring  cer- 
tain destruction  upon  them ;  therefore,  they  surrendered 
their  arms  and  agreed  to  leave  the  county  forthwith.  The 
men  who  were  demanded  as  prisoners  were  also  surrendered 


108       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAKLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  imprisoned,  but  were  dismissed  in   a   day  or  two  with- 
out  trial. 

A  few  hours  after  the  surrender  we  arrived  at  the 
camp  of   our  brethren   on   oiu-   return  from    Lexington. 

The  struggle  was  now  o\'er,  our  liberties  were  gone, 
our  homes  to  be  deserted  and  possessed  by  a  lawless 
banditti;   and   all  this  in  the  United   States  of   America. 

The  sun  was  then  setting,  and  twelve  miles  separated 
me  from  my  family  5  but  I  determined  to  reach  home  that 
night.  My  horse  being  weary  I  started  on  foot,  and  walked 
through  the  wilderness  in  darkness  5  avoiding  the  road 
lest  I   should  fall   into  the   liauds   of    the   enemy. 

I  arrived  home  about  the  middle  of  the  night,  and  fur- 
nishing my  wife  with  a  horse,  we  matle  our  escape  ui 
safety. 

When  night  again  overtook  us  we  were  on  the  bank  of 
the  Missouri  Eiver,  which  diNided  between  Jackson  and 
Clay  Counties.  Here  we  camped  for  the  night,  as  we 
could  nof  cross  the  ferry  till  morning.  Next  morning  we 
crossed  the  river,  and  formed  an  encampment  amid  the 
cottonwoods   on   its   bank. 

While  we  thus  made  our  escape  companies  of  ruffians 
were  ranging  the  county  in  every  diiection ;  bursting  into 
houses  without  fear,  knowing  that  the  people  were  dis- 
armed ;  fi'ightening  women  and  children,  and  threatening 
to  kill  them  if  they  did  not  flee  immediately.  At  the 
head  of  one  of  these  parties  appeared  the  ^ev.  Isaac 
McCoy  (a  noted  Baptist  missionary  to  the  Indians),  with 
gun  in  hand,  ordering  the  people  to  leave  their  homes 
immediately  and  siurender  everything  in  the  shai^e  of 
arms. 

Other  iiretended  ])reachers  of  the  gospel  took  part  in 
the  persecution — speaking  of  the  Church  as  the  common 
enemies  of  mankin<l,  and  exulting  in  their  aflfiictions.  ■  On 
Tuesday  and  Wednesday  nights,  the  "jtli  and  0th  of  Nov- 
ember, women    and    children  fled    in    every  direction.     One 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


100 


party  of  al)oiit  one  himdreil  and  fifty  fled  to  the  i)iairie, 
where  they  wandered  for  several  days,  mostly  without  food; 
and  nothing  but  the  open  firmament  for  their  shelter. 
Other  parties  fled  towards  the  Missouri  River.  During 
the  dispersion  of  women  and  children,  parties  were  hunt- 
ing the  men,  firing  upon  some,  tying  up  and  whipping 
others,  and  some  they  pm'sued   several  mUes. 

Thursday,  November  7.  The  shore  began  to  be  lined 
on  both  sides  of  the  ferrj'  ^rith  men,  women  and  children; 
goods,  wagons,  boxes,  provisions,  etc.,  while  the  ferry  was 
constantly  employed ;  and  when  night  again  closed  ui)on 
us  the  Cottonwood  bottom  had  much  the  appearance  of 
a  camp  meeting.  Himdreds  of  people  were  seen  in  every 
direction,  some  in  tents  an<l  some  in  the  oi>en  air  around 
their    fires,    Avhile    the    rain    descended    in    torrents.      Hus- 


THE   EXODUS. 


no      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

bands  were  inquiring  for  their  wives,  wives  for  their 
husbands ;  parents  for  children,  and  children  for  par- 
ents. Some  had  the  good  fortune  to  escape  with  their 
families,  household  goods,  and  some  pro\asions;  while 
others  knew  not  the  fate  of  their  friends,  and  had 
lost  all  their  goods.  The  scene  was  indescribable,  and,  I 
am  sure,  would  have  melted  the  hearts  of  any  people  on 
the  earth,  except  our  blind  oppressors,  and  a  blind  and 
ignorant  community. 

Next  day  our  company  still  increased,  and  we  were  prin- 
cipally engaged  in  felling  cottonwood  trees  and  erecting 
them  into  small  cabins.  The  next  night  being  clear,  we 
began  to  enjoy  some  degree  of   comfort. 

About  two  o'clock  the  next  morning  we  were  called  up 
by  the  cry  of  signs  in  the  heavens.  We  arose,  and  to  our 
great  astonishment  all  the  firmament  seemed  enveloped  in 
splendid  fire,  works,  as  if  every  star  in  the  broad  ex- 
panse had  been  hurled  from  its  course,  and  sent  lawless 
through  the  wilds  of  ether.  Thousands  of  bright  meteors 
were  shooting  through  space  in  every  direction,  with  long 
trains  of  light  following  in  their  course.  This  lasted  for 
sevt /*  i  hours,  and  was  only  closed  by  the  dawni  of  the 
rising  sun.  Every  heart  was  filled  ^^'itll  joy  at  this  ma- 
jestic display  of  signs  and  wonders,  showing  the  near 
approach   of   the  coming  of   the    Son   of   God. 

All  our  goods  were  lett  behind ;  but  1  (obtained  some  of 
them  afterwards  at  the  risk  of  my  life.  But  all  my  pro- 
visions for  the  winter  were  destroyed  or  stolen,  and  my 
graui  left  growing  on  the  gTOund  for  my  enemies  to  har- 
vest. My  house  was  afterwards  burned,  and  my  fruit  trees 
and  improvements  destroyed  or  plundered.  ly  short,  every 
member  of  the  society  was  driven  from  the  county,  and 
fields  of  corn  were  ravagetl  and  destroyed ;  stacks  of 
wheat  burned,  household  goods  plimdered,  and  improve- 
ments and  every  kind  of  property  destroyed.  One  of  this 
banditti    afterwards    boasted  to    one  of   the  brethren  that, 


AUTUBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      Ill 

acconling   to  theii-  own  'account  of  the   matter,  the  number 
of   houses  bm-ned  was   two  hundred   and  three. 

The  Saints  who  tied  took  refuge  in  the  adjoining  comi- 
ties, mostly  in  Clay  County,  which  received  them  with 
some  degree  of  kindness.  Those  Avho  fled  to  the  coimty 
of  Yan  Buren  were  again  di-iven  and  compelled  to  flee; 
and  those  who  fled  to  Lafayette  County  were  soon  expelled, 
or  the  most  part  of  them,  and  had  to  move  to  wherever 
they  could  find  protection, 

^Vhen  the  news  of  these  outrages  reached  the  Governor 
of  the  State,  courts  of  inquiry,  both  civil  and  military, 
were  ordered  by  him,  but  nothing  effectual  was  ever  done 
to  restore  our  rights,  or  to  protect  us  in  the  least.  It  is 
true  the  Attorney-General,  and  a  military  escort  imder 
Colonel,  aftero-ards  General  Doniphan,  and  our  witnesses 
went  to  Jackson  County  and  demanded  indictments;  but 
the  court  refused  to  do  anything  in  the  case,  an<l  the 
military,  Attorney-General  and  witnesses  were  mobbed  out 
of  the  coimty;   and  thus   that  matter   ended. 

The  Governor  also  ordered  them  to  restore  the  arms  of 
which  they  robbed  us,  but  they  never  were  restored.  Even 
oiu-  lands  were  robbed  of  their  timber,  and  either  occupied 
by  our  enemies  for  years  or  left  desolate.  Soon  after 
Jackson  County  had  rebelled  against  the  laws  and  consti- 
tution of  the  General  and  State  governments,  several  of  the 
adjacent  counties  followed  the  example,  by  justifying  her 
proceedings,  and  by  opposing  the  Saints  in  settling  among 
them.  The  counties  of  Clay,  Eay,  Clinton  and  various 
others,  held  pubUc  meetings,  the  tenor  of  which  was 
to  deprive  the  members  of  our  society  of  the  rights  of 
citizenship,  strive  them  from  among  them,  and  to  compel 
them  to  settle  only  in  such  places  as  these  outlaws  shoidd 
dictate;  and  even  at  that  time  some  of  their  proceedings 
Avent  so  far  as  to  publicly  threaten  to  drive  the  whole  so- 
ciety from  the  State.  The  excuses  they  offered  for  these 
outrages  were: 


112       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

First:  The  society  were  guilty  principally  of  beiug  east- 
ern  or  northern  people. 

Secondly :  They  were  giiilty  of  some  slight  variations 
in  manners  and  language  from  the  other  citizens  of  the 
State,  who  were  mostly  from  the  South. 

Thirdly:  Their  religious  principles  differed  in  some  im- 
portant i)articulars  from  most  other  societies. 

Fourthly:  They  were  guilty  of  immigrating  rapidly  from 
the  different  States,  and  of  purchasing  large  quantities  of 
land,  and  of  being  more  enterprising  and  industrious  than 
their   neighbors. 

Fifthly :  Some  of  them  were  guilty  of  poverty — especially 
those  who  had  been  driven,  from  time  to  time,  and  robbed 
of  their  all.      And, 

Lastly :  They  were  said  to  be  guilty  of  believing  in  the 
present  Government  administration  of  Indian  affaii's,  viz. : 
that  the  land  west  of  the  Mississippi,  which  Goverment 
had  deeded  in  fee  simple  to  the  immigrating  tribes,  was 
destined  by  Providence  for  their  permanent  homes. 

All  these  crimes  were  charged  upon  our  society,  in  the 
public  proceedings  of  the  several  counties,  and  were  deemed 
sufficient  to  Justify  their  unlawful  proceedings  against  us. 
The  reader  may  smile  at  this  statement,  but  the  public 
joiu'uals  of  Lrpi)er  Missouri  in  1835,  actually  piinted  charges 
and  declarations  against  us,  of  the  tenor  of  the  foregoing. 

By  these  wicked  j^roceedings  our  i)eoi)le  Avere  once  more 
compelled  to  remove,  at  a  great  sacrifice  of  property,  and 
were  at  last  permitted  to  settle  in  the  noi'th  of  Bay 
County,  where,  by  the  next  legisbitiire,  they  were  organ- 
ized into  the  counties  Ox  Caldwell  and  Davies.  Here 
again  they  exercised  the  utmost  industry  and  enterprise, 
and  these  wild  regions  soon  presented  a  more  tiourishing 
aspect  than  the  oldest  counties  of  the  State. 

In  the  meantime,  the  majority  of  the  State  so  far  coun- 
tenanced these  outrages  that  they  actually  elected  Lilbiun 
W.   lioggs   (one  of  the  oldest  actors  in  the  scenes  of  Jack- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


113 


This/ 


son  County,  who  had  assisted  in  murder  and  phmder,  and 
the  expulsion  of  twelve  hundred  citizens,  in  1833)  for  Gov- 
ernor of  the  State,  and  placed  him  in  the  executive  chair,  ~^ 
instead  of  suspending  him  by  the  neck,  between  the  heav-  A- 
ens  and  the  earth,  as  his  crimes  justly  merited 
movement  may  be  said  to  have  put  an  end  to  liberty,  law 
and  government  in  that  State.  About  this  time.  Colonel 
Lucas,  a  leader  of  the  banditti,  was  elected  Major-General, 
instead  of  being  hung  for  treason  and  murder.  And  Moses 
Wilson,  another  leader  of  the  mob,  was  elected  Brigadier- 
General;  and  others  were  advanced  accordmgly.  These  all 
very  readily  received  their  commissions  from  their  accom- 
plice, Governor  Boggs,  and  thus  corruption,  rebellion  and 
conspiracy  had  spread  on  every  side,  being  fostered  and 
encouraged  by  a  large  majority  of  the  State;  and  thus  the 
treason  became  general. 

In  the  meantime,  our  society  had  greatly  increased  by 
a  rapid  immigration,  and  having  long  felt  the  withering 
hand  of  oppression  from  so  corrupt  an  administration,  they 
had  endeavored  to  organize  themselves,  both  civil  and 
military,  in  the  counties  where  they  comj)osed  the  major- 
ity, by  electing  such  officers  as  they  thought  would  stand 
for  equal  rights,  and  for  the  laws  and  Constitution  of  the 
country.  In  this  way  they  hoped  to  withstand  the  storm 
which  had  so  long  beaten  upon  them,  and  whose  black 
clouds  now  seemed  lowering  in  awful  gloom,  preparing  to 
burst  with   overwhelming  fmy   upon  all  who  dared  to  stand 

for  liberty  and  law. 

8 


CHAPTER     XIY. 

Labors  in  Clay  County: — Conference: — Appointment  to  a  Tedious  Journey: 
A  Case  of  Healing: — Arrive  at  Kirtland  : — Revelation: — Travel  Eastward, 
in  Company  with  President  Joseph  Smith : — Conference  in  Geneseo : — 
Pleasing  Reminiscence: — President  Smith  and  Others  Return  Home: — Visit 
Sackett's  Harbor: — Crowded  Meeting: — Requested  to  Visit  the  Sick: — A 
Little  Boy  Healed: — Baptisms,  etc.: — Miraculous  G-ifts: — Lying  Priests 
and   Rabble : — Visit  my  Parents   in   Canaan,  N.  Y. : — Return  to   Kirtland. 

A  S  tlie  history  of  this  horrible  persecution  of  the  Church 
-^--^  was  interwoven  with  my  own,  I  have  traced  it  for  a 
few  years  in  connection ;  in  whicli  I  have  of  necessity  di- 
gressed from  the  main  thread  of  my  own  personal  narra- 
tive, to  which  I  must  return, 
.-f  After  making  our  escaj^e  into  the  county  of  Clay — being 
reduced  to  the  lowest  poverty — I  made  a  living  by  day 
labor,  jobbing,  building,  or  wood  cutting,  till  some  time  in 
the  winter  of  1834,  when  a  general  Conference  was  held  at 
my  house,  in  which  it  was  decided  that  two  of  the  Elders 
should  be  sent  to  Ohio,  in  order  to  counsel  with  President 
Smith  and  the  Church  at  Kirtland,  and  take  some  meas- 
ures for  the  relief  or  restoration  of  the  people  thus  plun- 
dered and  driven  from  their  homes.  The  question  was  put 
to  the  Conference :  "  Who  would  volunteer  to  perform  so 
great  a  journey?" 

The  poverty  of  all,  and  the  inclement  season  of  the  year 
made  all  hesitate.  At  length  Lyman  Wight  and  myself 
offered  our  services,  which  were  readily  accepted.  I  was  at 
this  time  entirely  destitute  of  i)roper  clothing  for  the  jour- 
ney ;    and  I  had  neither  horse,    saddle,   bridle,   money  nor 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      115 

provisions   to  take  with  iw -,  or  to  leave  with  iny  \vife,  who 
lay  sick   and  helpless  most  of  the  time. 

Under  these  circumstances  I  knew  not  what  to  do.  I>I^early 
all  had  heen  robbed  and  plundered,  and  all  were  poor.  As 
we  had  to  start  without  delay,  I  almost  trembled  at  the 
undertaking;  it  seemed  to  be  all  but  an  impossibility; 
but  "to  him  that  believeth  all  things  are  possible."  I 
started  out  of  my  house  to  do  something  towards  making 
preparation;  I  hardly  knew  which  way  to  go,  but  I  found 
myself  in  the  house  of  brother  John  Lowi-y,  and  was  in- 
tending to  ask  him  for  money ;  but  as  I  entered  his  mis- 
erable cottage  in  the  swamp,  amid  the  low,  timbered  bot- 
toms of  the  Missouri  river,  I  found  him  sick  in  bed  with 
a  heavy  fever,  and  two  or  three  others  of  his  family  down 
with  the  same  .complaint,  on  different  beds  in  the  same 
room.  He  was  vomiting  severely,  and  was  hardly  sensible 
of  my  presence.  I  thought  to  myself,  "  well,  this  is  a  poor 
place  to  come  for  money,  and  yet  I  must  have  it;  I  know 
of  no  one  else  that  has  got  it;  what  shall  I  dot"  I  sat 
a  Uttle  while  confounded  and  amazed.  At  length  another 
Elder  happened  in ;  at  that  instant  faith  sprung  up  in  my 
heart ;  the  Spirit  whispered  to  me,  "  is  there  anj-thing  too 
hard  for  the  Lord?"  I '  said  to  the  Elder  that  came  in: 
"  Brother,  I  am  glad  you  have  come ;  these  people  must 
be  healed,  for  I  want   some  money  of  them,  and  must  have 

it." 

We  laid  hands  on  them  and  rebuked  the  disease; 
brother  Lowry  rose  up  well ;  I  did  my  errand,  and  readily 
obtained  all  I  asked.  This  provided  in  part  for  my  fam- 
ily's sustenance  while  I  should  leave  them.  I  went  a  little 
fether  into  the  woods  of  the  Missouri  bottoms,  and  came 
to  a  camp  of  some  brethren,  by  the  name  of  Higbee,  who 
owned  some  horses ;  they  saw  me  comhig,  and,  moved  by 
the  Spirit,  one  of  them  said  to  the  other,'  "there  conies 
brother  Parley;  he's  in  want  of  a  horse  for  his  Journey— I 
must  let  him  have  old  Dick;"   this  being  the  name  of  the 


116      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

best  horse  he  had.  "Yes,"  said  I,  "  brother,  you  have 
guessed  right ;  but  what  will  I  do  for  a  saddle  f  "  Well," 
says  the  other,  "  I  believe  I'll  have  to  let  you  have  mine." 
I  blessed  them  and  went  on   my  way  rejoicing. 

I  next  called  on  Sidney  A.  Gilbert,  a  merchant,  then  so- 
journing in  the  village  of  Liberty — his  store  in  Jackson 
County  having  been  broken  up,  and  his  goods  plundered 
and  destroyed  by  the  mob.  "  Well,"  says  he,  "  brother 
Parley,  you  certainly  look  too  shabby  to  start  a  journey; 
you  must  haA^e  a  new  suit;  I  have  got  some  remnants 
left  that  will  make  you  a  coat,"  etc.  A  neighboring  tail- 
oress  and  two  or  three  other  sisters  happened  to  be  pre- 
sent on  a  visit,  and  hearing  the  couAersation,  exclaimed, 
"  Yes,  brother  Gilbert,  you  find  the  stuff  and  we'll  make  it 
uj)  for  him."  This  arranged,  I  now  lacked  only  a  cloak; 
this  was   also  furnished  by  brother   Gilbert. 

Brother  Wight  was  also  prospered  in  a  similar  manner 
in  his  preparations.  Thus  faith  and  the  blessings  of  God 
had  cleared  up  our  Avay  to  accomplish  what  seemed  im- 
possible. We  were  soon  ready,  and  on  the  first  of  Febru- 
ary we  mounted  our  horses,  and  started  in  good  cheer  to 
ride  one  thousand  or  fifteen  hundred  miles  through  a  wil- 
derness coiuitry.  We  had  not  one  cent  of  money  in  our 
pockets  on   starting. 

We  travelled  every  day,  whether  through  storm  or  sun- 
shine, mud,  rain  or  snow;  except  w^hen  our  public  duties 
called  us  to  tarry.  We  arrived  in  Kirtland  early  in  the 
spring,  all  safe  and  sound ;  we  had  lacked  for  nothing  on 
the  road,  and  now  had  plenty  of  funds  in  hand.  President 
Joseph  Smith  and  the  Church  in  Kirtland  received  us  with 
a  hospitality  and  joy  unknoAvn  except  among  the  Saints; 
and  much  interest  was  felt  there,  as  well  as  elsewhere,  on 
Ithe  subject  of  our  persecution. 

The  President  inquired  of  the  Lord  concerning  the  mat- 
ter, and    a    further  mission    was    appointed  us.*      In    fulfil- 

♦  See  Revelation,  Book  of  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  Section  101. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      117 

ment  of  which  we  continued  our  journey  eastward,  in  con- 
nection with  President  Joseph  Smith,  S.  Eigdon,  Hyrum 
Smith,  "Frederick  G.  Williams,  Orson  Hyde  and  Orson 
Pratt. 

We  journeyed  two  and  two  in  different  routes,  visiting 
the  (churches  and  instructing  the  people  as  we  travelled. 
President  Joseph  Smith  and  myself  journeyed  together. 
We  had  a  pleasant  and  prosperous  mission  among  the 
churches,  and  some  very  interesting  times  in  preaching 
to  the  public.  We  visited  Freedom,  Catteraugus  County, 
N.  Y. ;  tarried  over  Sunday,  and  preached  several  dis- 
courses, to  which  the  people  listened  with  great  interest; 
we  were  kindly  and  hospitably  entertained  among  them. 
We  baptized  a  young  man  named  Heman  Hyde;  his 
parents  were  Presbyterians,  and  his  mother,  on  account  of 
the  strength  of  her  traditions,  thought  that  we  were 
wrong,  and  told  me  afterwards  that  she  would  much  rather 
have  followed  him  to  an  earthly  grave  than  to  have  seen 
him  baptized. 

Soon  afterwards,  however,  herself,  her  husband,  and  the 
rest  of  the  famdy,  ^v4th  some  thirty  or  forty  others,  were 
all  baptized  and  organized  into  a  branch  of  the  Church — 
called  the  Freedom  branch — from  which  nucleus  the  light 
spread  and  souls  were  gathered  into  the  fold  in  all  the 
regions  round.  Thus  mightily  grew  the  word  of  God,  or 
the  seed  sown  by  that  extraordinary  personage,  the  Prophet 
and  Seer  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

As  we  journeyed  day  after  day,  and  generally  lodged 
together,  we  had  much  sweet  communion  concerning  the 
things  of  God  and  the  mysteries  of  His  kingdom,  and  I 
received  many  admonitions  and  instructions  which  I  shall 
never  forget. 

Arriving  in  Geneseo,  we  met  with  the  other  Elders 
who  had  started  from  Kirtland  on  the  same  mission,  and 
with  others  who  were  local,  and  held  a  general  Conference. 
Among  those  whose  hospitality  we  shared  in  that  \dcinity 


118       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

was  old  father  Beemau  and  his  amiable  aud  interesting 
family.  He  was  a  o<)od  singer,  and  so  were  his  three 
daughters ;  we  were  much  edified  and  comforted  in  their 
society,  and  were  deeply  interested  in  hearing  the  old 
gentleman  and  brother  Joseph  converse  on  their  early 
ac<iuaintance  and  history.  He  had  been  intimate  with 
Joseph  long  befoie  the  first  organization  of  the  Church  ; 
had  assisted  him  to  preserve  the  plates  of  the  Book  of 
Mormon  from  the  enemy,  and  had  at  one  time  had  them 
concealed   under  his  own  hearth. 

At  this  Conference  we  had  an  interesting  time ;  public 
meetmgs  were  convened;  multitudes  assembled  to  hear,  and 
Presidents  -Josei)h  Smith  and  S.  Kigdon  addressed  the 
crowds  in  great  ])lainness  of  speech  with  mighty  power. 
At  the  close  of  this  Conference  we  again  parted  company. 
President  Smith  and  most  of  the  Elders  retmned  home  to 
Kirtland. 

;  I  then  journeyed  in  connection  with  a  young  Elder, 
named  H.  Brown,  as  far  as  Henderson  County,  in  northern 
is^ew  York,  where  lived  Elder  Brown's  father,  and  where 
there  was  quite  a  branch  of  the  Chui'ch.  I  ^^sited  with 
them  for  a  few  days,  resting  from  my  toils  and  ministering 
among  them.  Taking  leave  of  these  friends,  I  went  to 
Sackett's  Harbor,  where  all  were  yet  strangers  to  the 
fullness  of  the  gospel.  Leaving  an  appointment  at  a 
hotel  that  I  would  return  in  a  few  days  thence,  and 
address  the  people  wherever  they  saw  fit  to  assemble,  I 
crossed  over  the  bay  to  a  country  neighborhood,  called 
Pillar  Point.  In  this  neighborhood  there  had  been  some 
preaching  by  oiu'  Elders;  but  no  branch  of  the  Church 
organized,  though  there  had  been  one  or  two  instances  of 
healing,  and  some  few  were  belie\ing.  Here  I  appointed 
a  meeting  for  evening  in  a  school  house  ;  it  was  crowded 
full  of  people  ;    indeed,  all  could  not  get  in. 

As  the  meeting  closed  a  man  named  William  Cory 
stepped  forward,   and  earnestly  begged  of  me  to  go  home 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      119 

with  liiiu  and  minister  to  his  wife,  as  she  was  lying  at 
the  point  of  death  in  consequence  of  a  lingering  sickness, 
not  having  risen  np  in  her  bed  for  six  days  without 
swooning  or  going  into  fits.  He  further  said  tliat  he  was 
worn  out  by  being  up  with  her  every  night,  and  that  his 
neighbors  were  weary  with  watching,  an<l  it  was  doubted 
whether  slie  could  survive  through  the  night  without 
reUef. 

The  Spirit  would  not  suffer  me  to  go  witli  him  that 
night,  but  I  promised*  to  call  in  the  mornijig.  At  this 
many  voices  were  heard,  sajing  :  "  Yes,  yes,  there's  a  case 
in  hand ;  let  him  heal  her  and  we'll  all  believe."  Others 
exclaimed  :  "I  wonder  if  she'll  be  at  his  meeting  to-mor- 
row !  We  shall  see,  and  if  so,  we'll  all  believe."  Expres- 
sions like  these,  joined  AAith  my  own  weakness,  only  tended 
to  dampen  my  coiuage  and  confidence  in  the  case. 
Tl  went  home  with  a  friend  who  in^•ited  me  to  ji'^irtake 
of  his  hospitality  for  the  night.  As  we  entered  his  house, 
we  found  one  of  his  children  very  sick  with  a  violent  pain 
in  the  head,  to  which  it  had  been  subject  from  its  birth, 
and  which  came  at  regular  periods,  and  was  never  relieved 
till  it  gathered  and  broke  at  his  ear — so  said  his 
parents.  The  little  fellow  was  rolling  from  side  to  side 
in  his  bed,  and  screeching  and  screaming  with  pain.  I 
stepped  to  the  bedside,  and  laid  my  hands  ui>on  his  head 
in  the  name  of  Jesns  Christ ;  he  was  instantly  made 
whole  and  went  to  sleep.  Kext  morning  he  got  np  well, 
and  continued  so  ;  he  said  that  the  pain  all  left  1dm  as 
soon  as  my  hands  touched  his  head. 

In  the  morning,  before  I  arose,  I  had  a  vision,  as  fol- 
lows :  I  saw  a  log  house,  and  entered  it  through  a  door 
at  the  northwest  corner ;  in  the  northeast  corner  lay  a 
woman  sick  in  bed  ;  in  the  southeast  corner  was  a  small 
door  opening  into  an  adjoining  room,  and  near  it  a  stair- 
way, where  stood  a  ladder  ;  the  fireplace  being  in  the 
south   end.      As   I    entered    the    house    and    laid   my   hands 


120       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

on  the  womauj  she  rose  up  and  vras,  made  whole ;  the 
house  being  crowded,  she  took  her  seat  near  the  fire  and 
under  the  ladder,  or  near  by  it,  and  she  praised  God  ^ith  a 
shout  of  glory,  clapping  her  hands  for  joy,  and  exclaimed: 
"  Thank  God,  I'm  every  Avhit  whole."  I  awoke  from  my 
vision  and  related  the  same  to  the  family  where  I  staid. 

The  man  harnessed  his  horses,  and  with  seven  or  eight 
persons  in  the  wagon,  including  myself,  we  started  for 
meeting,  intending  to  call  and  see  Mrs.  Cory  on  our  way, 
as  I  had  aj^pointed  the  previous  evening.  On  alighting  at 
her  house  I  saw  it  was  the  same  that  I  had  seen  in  the 
vision;  there  were  the  doors,  the  stairway,  ladder,  fireplace, 
bed,   and  sick  woman,  just  as  I  had  seen  and  described. 

I  laid  my  hands  iipon  the  woman,  and  said  :  "  In  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  be  thou  made  whole  this  instant." 
I  then  commanded  her  to  arise  and  walk.  Her  husband 
biu-st  into  tears ;  the  people  looked  surprised ;  but  the 
woman  arose  and  walked  to  the  fii"e,  and  happened  to 
take  her  seat  near  the  ladder,  as  I  had  related  in  the 
vision  before  I  saw  her.  She  then  clapped  her  hands  for 
joy,  gaA^e  a  shout  of  "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,"  and 
testified  that  she  was  every  whit  whole.  We  Invited  her 
to  accompany  us  to  the  meeting ;  she  immediately  made 
ready,  walked  out,  helped  herself  into  the  wagon,  and 
rode  some  two  miles  over  a  very  rough  road.  She  then 
got  out  of  the  wagon,  and  walked  with  a  strong  and 
quick  step  into  the  meeting,  where  she  sat  till  the  dis- 
comse  was  over ;  when  she  arose  and  testified  what  the 
Lord  had  done  for  her.  She  then  rode  home,  and  was 
bai)tized  in  connection  with  several  others,  who  came  for- 
ward and  obeyed  the  fulness  of  the  gospel.  We  after- 
Avards  laid  our  hands  on  them  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  when  it  fell  upon  them  in  great  power,  insomuch 
that  all  in  the  room  felt  its  x>ower  and  influence  and 
glorified  God ;  some  spake  in  tongues,  others  prophesied 
and  bore  testimony  to  the    truth.  | 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      121 

The  next  evening  I  went  over  to  Sackett's  Harbor  in 
order  to  preach ;  many  of  the  people  from  Pillar  Point, 
who  had  v/itnessed  these  things,  went  with  me,  and, 
among  others,  IMr.  Cory  with  liis  wife,  who  had  been  so 
miraculously  healed.  A  great  rabble  came  out  to  hear, 
or  rather  to  disturb  the  meeting  ;  and  among  others,  some 
lialf  dozen  clergymen  of  different  orders,  w^ho  were  loud  in 
their  challenges  and  calls  for  miracles  ;  "  give  us  a  miracle 
— we  want  a  miracle — heal  the  sick — raise  the  dead,  and 
then  Ave'U  believe."  The  lying,  rage,  and  confusion  ex- 
cited by  these  wicked  spirits,  broke  up  the  meeting,  and  I 
had  much  ado  to  get  out  of  the  crowd  without  being- 
stoned   or  torn  to    pieces. 

After  tarrying  a  few  days  in  this  region,  I  took  leave 
and  continued  my  journey  as  far  as  Columbia  County, 
east  of  the  Hudson.  I  arrived  at  my  Aunt  Van  Cott's, 
and  found  them  all  well ;  paid  a  visit  to  my  father  and 
mother ;  gave  them  money  sufficient  to  enable  them  to 
remove  to  Eartland,  Ohio,  and  then  commenced  my  re- 
turn. I  had  started  from  the  frontiers  of  Missouri  and 
ridden  on  horseback  fifteen  hundred  miles. 

As  I  returned  towards  the  West,  I  came  to  the  town 
of  Freedom,  Catteraugus  County,  X.  Y.,  where  President 
Joseph  Smith  and  myself  had  preached  on  oiu'  outward 
journey,  a  few  weeks  i)reviously,  and  Avhere  we  had  bap- 
tized a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Heman  Hyde,  as  the 
first  fruits  in  that  place.  As  I  caUed  for  the  night,  I 
found  that  a  large  Church  had  been  gathered  during  my 
absence,  consisting  of  some  forty  members  or  more,  prin- 
cipally through  the  labors  of  my  brother  Orson.  The 
new  members,  and  the  people  in  general,  rejoiced  to  see 
me,  and  aided  me  on  my  journey ;  and  Heman  Hyde 
accompanied  me  to  Kirtland,  where  we  arrived  the  latter 
part  of  April,  and  were  kindly  and  hospitably  entertained 
by  President  Joseph   Smith. 


^ 


CHAPTER  XY. 

An  Army : — ,V  Long  }ilarch  : — Recruits  : — A  Voice  : — Camp  Arrives  ia 
Missouri : — Delegation  to  the  Governor  : — Interview  : — PiCturu  to  Camp  : — 
Council : — Great  Storm  and  Flood  : — Battle  rro%-idcntially  Prevented  : — 
Cholera  : — Army  Disbanded: — Sudden  Destruction  : — Labor  with  my  Hands: 
-  — Journey  to  Ohio  : — Labor  and  Ministry  : — Accusations  : — Repair  to  Kirt- 
land  : — Interview  with  the  President: — His  Action  on  the  Matter: — Call- 
ing and  Ordination  of  a  Quorum  of  Twelve  Apostles : — My  Ordination, 
Blessing   and   Charge : — Charge   to   the   Quorum. 

IT  was  now  the  lirst  of  May,  1834,  and  our  mission  had 
resulted  in  the  assembling  of  about  two  hmidred  men 
at  Kirtlaud,  with  teams,  baggage,  provisions,  arms,  etc., 
for  a  march  of  one  thousand  miles,  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  some  supplies  to  the  afflicted  and  perscuted  Saints 
in  Missomi,  and  to  reinforce  and  strengthen  them ;  and, 
if  possible,  to  influence  the  Governor  of  the  State  to  call 
out  sufficient  additional  force  to  cooperate  in  restoring  them 
to  their  rights.  This  little  army  was  led  by  President 
Joseph  Smith  in  person.  It  commenced  its  march  about 
the  first  of  May ;  passing  through  Ohio,  Indiana,  and 
Illinois,   it  entered  Missouri  some  time  in  June. 

I  was  chiefly  engaged  as  a  recruiting  officer,  and,  not 
being  much  with  the  camp,  can  give  but  little  of  its  his- 
tory. I  visited  branches  of  the  Church  in  Ohio,  Indiana, 
Illinois  and  Missouri,  and  obtaining  what  men  and  means 
I  could,  fell  in  with  the  camp  from  time  to  time  ^vith 
additional  men,  arms,  stores  and  money.  On  one  occa- 
sion, I  had  travelled  all  night  to  overtake  the  camp  -with 
some  men  and  means,  and  ha\'ing  breakfasted  with  them 
and  changed  horses,   I   again  started    ahead  on    express  to 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      123 

visit  other  brandies,  and  do  bnsiness  to  again  overtake 
tlieni.  At  noon  I  had  turned  my  liorse  loose  from  the 
carriage  to  feed  on  th.o  grass  in  the  midst  of  a  broad, 
level  plain.  No  habitation  was  near  ;  stillness  and  repose 
reigned  around  me  ;  I  sank  down  overiioAvercd  "with  a 
deep  sleep,  and  might  have  lain  in  a  state  of  oblivion 
till  the  shades  (»f  night  had  gathered  about  me,  so  com- 
pletely was  I  exluiusted  for  Avant  of  sleep  and  rest ;  but 
I  had  only  slept  a  few  moments  till  the  horse  had  grazed 
sufliciently,  Avhen  a  voice,  more  loud  and  shrill  than  I 
had  ever  before  heard,  fell  on  n^y  ear,  nnd  thrilled  through 
every  part  of  my  system  ;  it  said :  "  Parley^  it  is  time  to 
he  up  and  oti  your  journey.''''  In  the  tAvinkling  of  an  eye 
I  was  iierfectly  aroused ;  I  sprang  to  my  feet  so  sud- 
denly that  I  could  not  at  first  recollect  Avhere  1  was,  or 
what  Avas  before  me  to  perform.  I  related  the  circum- 
stance afterwards  to  brother  Joseph  Smith,  and  he  bore 
testimony  that  it  was  the  angel  of  the  Lord  who  went 
before  the  camj),  who  found  me  overpowered  with  sleep, 
and  thus   awoke  me. 

Arriving  in  the  Allred  settlement,  near  Salt  Eiver,  Missou- 
ri, v.'here  there  vras  a  large  branch  of  the  Church,  the  camp 
rested  a  little,  and  despatched  Elder  Orson  Hjde  and  my- 
self to  refl'erson  City,  to  request  of  His  Excellency,  Gov- 
ernor Daniel  Dunklin,  a  sufficient  military  force,  with  orders 
to  reinstate  the  exiles,  and  protect  them  in  the  i)OSsessiou 
of  theii"  horfies  in  Jackson  County. 

We  had  an  interview  with  the  Governor,  who  readily 
aclaiowledged  the  justice  of  the  demand,  but  frankly  told 
us  he  dare  not  attemi)t  the  execution  of  the  laws  in 
that  respect,  for  fear  of  deluging  the  whole  country  in 
civil  war  and  bloodshed.  He  advised  us  to  relinquish  our 
rights,  for  the  sake  of  peace,  and  to  sell  our  lands  from 
which  we  had  been  diiven.  To  this  we  replied  with 
firmness,  that  we  would  hold  no  terms  with  land  pupates 
and  murderers.      If  we  could  not  be  permitted  to  live  on 


124  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PKATT. 

lands  which  we  had  purchased  of  the  United  States,  and 
be  protected  in  onr  persons  and  rights,  our  lands  would, 
at  least,  make  a  good  burying  ground,  on  which  to  lay 
our  bones ;  and,  like  Abraham's  possession  in  Canaan,  we 
should  hold  on  to  our  possessions  in  the  county  of  Jack- 
son, for  this  piu-pose,  at  least.  He  replied  that  he  did 
not  blame  us  in  the  least,  but  trembled  for  the  country, 
and  dare  not  cany  out  the  plain,  acknowledged  and  im- 
perative duties  of  his  office.  We  retired,  saying  to  our- 
selves :  "  That  poor  coward  ought,  in  dut\",  to  resign ;  he 
owes  this,  morally  at  least,  in  justice  to  his  oath  of  office." 

We  ietiu*ned  to  the  camj),  which  was  then  on  the  march, 
somewhere  below  the  county  of  Eay.  President  Joseph 
Smith,  his  brother  Hyrum,  L.  AVight  and  others,  repaired 
with  us  into  a  solitary  grove,  apart,  to  learn  the  result 
of  our  mission. 

After  hearuig  our  report,  the  President  called  on  the 
God  of  our  fathers  to  witness  the  justice  of  our  cause 
and  the  sincerity  of  our  vows,  which  we  engaged  to  fulfill, 
whether  in  this  life  or  in  the  life  to  come.  For,  as 
God  lives,  triith,  justice  and  innocence  shall  triumph,  and 
iniquity  shall  not  reign. 

Pursuing  our  journey,  we  arrived  at  Fishing  River,  Eay 
County,  and  encami)ed  for  the  night  on  a  hill  between  its 
forks.  This  stream  was  then  about  six  inches  deep  in 
each  of  its  branches  where  the  road  crossed  it.  We  had 
but  just  camped,  when  there  arose  such  a  stojm  as  has 
been  seldom  witnessed  on  our  earth  j  the  wind  bl^w,  the 
vivid  lightning  flashed,  the  thimder  rolled,  the  earth 
trembled,  and  the  floods  descended  in  a  manner  never  be- 
fore mtnessed  by  us.  Our  tents  were  blown  down,  and 
some  of  us  lay  six  or  eight  inches  deep  in  water.  There 
was  a  large  meeting  house  there  witli  the  door  open,  into 
which  many  of  us  gathered  for  shelter,  after  being  nearly 
drowned. 

Next  morning    the  fords   of   Fishing  Eiver  were  said    to 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      125 

be  twenty  to  forty  feet  deep.  We  afterwards  learned 
that  an  army  of  outlaws  were  in  oiu"  neighborhood,  and 
would  have  attacked  us  that  night  but  for  the  storm ;  the 
floods  in  the  river  each  side  of  us  prevented  a  hostile 
meeting,  until  certain  citizens  made  the  acquaintance  of 
our  leaders,  and  learned  their  intentions.  Thus  the  ex- 
citement was   allayed,  and  the  outlaws  finally  disbanded. 

About  this  time,  owing  to  some  murmurings  and  insub- 
ordination in  the  camp,  the  cholera  broke  out  among  them, 
in  fulfilment  of  the  word  of  the  Lord,  by  the  mouth  of 
His  servant  Joseph,  and  resulted  in  the  death  of  some 
fifteen  or  twenty  of  the  camp,  or  of  others  connected  with 
the  Saints.  Finally,  the  camp  was  by  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  disbanded ;  some  remained  as  settlers  in  that  coun- 
try, and  others  returned  to  their  homes  and  families  in 
Ohio. 

I  left  the  camp  at  Fishing  River,  and  arrived  home  in 
Clay  County,  where  my  family  resided,  late  in  Jidy.  I 
found  my  wife  still  afflicted,  and  on  account  of  long  sick- 
ness, was  reduced  to  greater  j)overty  than  before,  and  I 
was  somewhat  embarrassed  with  debts  on  account  of  her 
board,  etc.,   while  I  was  absent. 

About  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  camp  at  Fishing 
River,  the  mob  of  Jackson  County  sent  a  conimittee  of 
twelve  of  their  leaders,  to  confer  with  the  authorities  of 
the  exiled  Church  in  Clay  County,  to  make  proposals  for 
the  settlement  of  the  whole  matter,  by  purchasing  the 
lands  from  which  they  had  been  driven.  The  Saints 
would  not  sell  their  lands  to  their  murderers  and  the 
land  pirates  who  had  driven  and  plundered  them;  there- 
fore the  mob's  representatives  were  unsuccessful. 

As  this  committee  of  twelve  returned,  and  were  crossing 
the  Missouri  River  at  evening,  their  boat  sank  in  an  in- 
stant in  the  middle  of  the  stream,  and  only  about  half  of 
the  committee  ever  reached  the  shore  alive.  Brother  Joseph 
said  it  was  the  ansel  of  the  Lord  who  sank  the  boat. 


126      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Having  no  means  of  siippoit  except  by  the  labor  of  my 
hands,  I  now  commenced  again  to  exert  myself  at  hard 
labor.  In  this  I  continued  till  October  of  the  same  year, 
when,  being  counselled  by  the  Presidency  to  remove  to 
Ohio,  I  started  a  journey  of  one  thousand  miles  with  my 
wife,  in  a  wagon  drawn  hj  two  horses.  We  had  not  a 
single  dollar  in  money,  but  vre  trusted  in  God,  and  lacked 
for  nothing.  Duiing  this  journey  my  wife  continued  in  a 
very  feeble  state  of  health. 
_After  a  journey  of  near  one  thousand  miles,  we  arriv- 
;?^  at  New  Portage,  fifty  miles  from  Kjrtland,  early  in 
the  winter,  and  finding  a  large  society  of  the  Saints  who 
welcomed  us  among  them,  we  stopped  for  the  winter.  I 
now  commenced  to  preacli,  both  in  that  ijlace  and  in  all 
the  region  round,  to  multitudes  who  turned  out  to  hear 
the  Word.  Many  embraced  the  gospel,  and  enjoyed  the 
gifts  of  God ;  instances  of  healing  were  of  almost  daily 
occurrence,  and  the  people  waxed  strong  in  the  faith  and 
in  the  gifts  and  power  of  God.  I  also  labored  with  my 
hands  with  all  diligence,  when  time  would  permit ;  thus 
the  winter  passed  away. 

While  laboring  here,  letters  were  received  from  W.  W. 
Phelps,  then  President  of  the  Church  in  Missouri,  sus- 
pending my  pai^ers  because  I  had  gone  away  in  debt; 
which  debt  had  been  contracted  in  behalf  of  my  sick 
wife  while  I  had  been  away  in  the  service  of  the  Confer- 
ence, as  recorded  in  the  previous  chapter.  I  had  once 
offered  the  money  on  the  same,  but  the  person  to  whom 
it  was  due,  in  view  of  my  public  ser^dces,  refused  to  take 
it ;  nevertheless,  President  Phelps  now  censured  mo  se- 
verely, observing  in  his  letter,  that  such  conduct  was  not 
the  way  of  the  pure  in  heart. 

Under  this  censure  I  ceased  to  officiate,  at  which  both 
the  Church  and  people  in  general  in  and  about  New 
Portage  were  much  grieved.  In  the  fore  ])art  of  Febru- 
ary,   1835,    I    repaired    to    Kirtland,   laid    the    case  before 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      127 

President  Smith,  with  my  defence  in  writing,  in  which  is 
stated  the  true  circumstances.  I  proceeded  to  plead  the 
injustice  of  the  accusation,  when  the  President  arose  to 
his  feet,  lifted  his  hand  to  heaven,  and  with  a  voice, 
and  energy,  and  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  which  thrilled 
the  inmost  soul,  and  would  have  raised  the  dead,  he  ex- 
claimed :  '•  Brother  Parley,  God  bless  you,  go  your  way 
rejoicing,  preach  the  gdspel,  fill  the  measure  of  your  mis- 
sion, and  walk  such  things  under  your  feet ;  it  was  a 
trick  of  Satan  to  hinder  yoiu*  usefulness ;  God  Almighty 
shall  be  with  you,  and  nothing   shall   stay  your  hand." 

I  was  comforted,  encouraged,  filled  with  new  life,  thank- 
ing God  that  there  was  one  noble  spirit  on  the  earth 
who  could  discern  justice  and  equity,  appreciate  the  labors 
of  others,  and  had  boldness  of  soul  to  judge  and  act 
accordingly. 

In  accordance  with  one  of  the  early  revelations  to  the 
Chiu'ch  concerning  the  calling  and  ordination  of  Twelve 
Apostles,*  this  quoriun  was  now  being  filled.  Among  those 
chosen  for  this  high  and  holy  calling  v.as  my  brother 
Orson  and  myself.  He  being  still  absent,  and  the  other 
members  having  been  already  ordained,  a  meeting  was  con- 
vened at  Kirtland,  and  very  numerously  attended,  in  which, 
on  the  21st  day  of  February,  1835,  I  took  the  oath  and 
covenant  of  apostleship,  and  was  solemnly  set  apart  and 
ordained  to  that  office  3  and  as  a  member  of  that  quorum 
imder  the  hands  of  Joseph  Smith,  Oliver  Cowdery  and 
Da^id  AVhitmerj  the  minutes  of  which  in  the  Church 
History  are  as  follows : 

"  Kirtland,  February  21st,  1835.  Pursuant  to  adjourn- 
ment, a  meeting  of  the  Church  was  held,  and,  after  prayer 
by  President  Da\'id  Whitmer,  and  a  short  address  by 
President  Oliver  Cowdery  to  the  congregation.  Elder  Parley 
P.  Pratt  was  called  to  the  stand,  and  ordained  one  of 
the  Twelve   by   President    Joseph   Smith,   Jr.,  David  Whit- 

*  See  Revelation,   Book  of   Doctrine  and  Covenants,   Section  43. 


128  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

iner  and  Oliver  Cowdery.  '  O,  Lord,  smile  from  heaven 
upon  this  thy  servant ;  forgive  his  sins,  sanctify  his  heart, 
and  prepare  him  to  receive  the  blessing.  Increase  his 
love  for  thee  and  for  thy  cause ;  increase  his  intelligence, 
communicate  to  him  all  that  wisdom,  that  prudence  and 
that  understanding  which  he  needs  as  a  minister  of  rights 
eousness,  and  to  magnify  the  apostleship  whereunto  he  is 
called.  May  a  double  portion  of  that  Spirit  which  was 
communicated  to  the  disciples  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  to 
lead  them  to  all  truth,  rest  down  upon  him,  and  go  with 
htm  where  he  goes,  that  nothing  shall  x)i'6vail  against 
him ;  that  he  may  be  delivered  from  prisons,  from  the 
power  of  his  enemies,  and  from  the  adversary  of  all  right- 
eousness. May  he  be  able  to  mount  up  on  wings  as  an 
eagle ;  to  run  and  not  be  weary,  to  walk  and  not  to 
faint ;  may  he  have  great  wisdom  and  intelligence,  and  be 
able  to  lead  thine  elect  through  this  thorny  maze.  Let 
sickness  and  death  have  no  x>ower  over  him ;  let  him  be 
equal  with  his  brethren  in  bringing  many  sons  and 
daughters  to  glory,  and  many  nations  to  a  knowledge  of 
the  truth.  Great  blessings  shall  rest  upon  thee ;  thy  faith 
shall  increase,  thou  shalt  have  great  power  to  prevail. 
The  veil  of  the  heavens  shall  be  rolled  up,  thou  shalt  be 
permitted  to  gaze  withui  it,  and  receive  instructions  from 
on  high,  ^o  arm  that  is  formed  and  lifted  against  thee 
shall  j)rosper,  no  power  shall  prevail,  for  thou  shalt  have 
power  with  God,  and  shalt  proclaim  His  gospel.  Thou 
wilt  be  afflicted,  but  thou  shalt  be  delivered,  and  conquer 
all  thy  foes.  Thine  office  shall  never  be  taken  from  thee, 
thou  shalt  be  called  great,  angels  shall  carry  thee  from 
place  to  i)lace.  Thy  sins  are  forgiven,  and  thy  name  writ- 
ten in  the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life ;    even  so.     Amen.' 

CHARGE     GIVEN    BY     O.     COWDERY     TO     V.     1\     PRATT. 

''  I  am  aware,  dear  brother,  that  the  mind  naturally  claims 
something   new  ;    but  the    same    thing  rehearsed  frequently 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      129 

profits  US,  You  will  have  the  same  difficulties  to  eucouut€r 
in  fulfilling  this  ministry  that  the  ancient  Ai)ostles  had.  You 
have  enlisted  in  a  cause  that  requires  your  whole  atten- 
tion ;  you  ought,  therefore,  to  count  the  cost ;  and  to 
become  a  polished  shaft,  you  must  be  sensible,  requires 
the  labor  of  years,  and  yoiu*  station  requires  a  perfect 
polish.  It  is  required  not  merely  to  travel  a  few  miles  in 
the  country,  but  in  distant  countries  ;  you  must  endiu'e 
much  toil,  much  labor,  and  many  privations  to  become 
perfectly  polished.  Your  calling  is  not  Like  that  of  the 
husbandman,  to  cultivate  a  stinted  portion  of  the  planet 
on  which  we  dwell,  and  when  Heaven  has  given  the 
former  and  the  latter  rain,  and  mellow  autumn  ripened  his 
fruits,  gather  it  in,  and  cougTatulate  himself  for  a  season 
in  the  remission  of  his  toils,  while  he  anticipates  his 
winter  evenings  of  relaxation  and  fireside  enjoyments.  But, 
dear  brother,  it  is  far  otherwise  with  you.  Your  labor 
must  be  incessant,  and  your  toil  great  5  you  must  go  forth 
and  labor  till  the  great  work  is  done]  R  "will  require  a 
series  of  years  to  accomjilish  it  ;  but  you  wiU  have  this 
pleasing  consolation,  that  your  Heavenly  Father  requires 
it ;  the  field  is  His  ;  the  work  is  His  ;  and  He  will  not 
only  cheer  you,  anunate  you,  and  buoy  you  up  in  your 
pilgrimage,  in  j'our  arduous  toils  ;  but  when  your  work  is 
done  and  your  labor  o'er,  he  will  take  you  to  himself. 
But  before  this  consummation  of  your  feUcity,  bring  your 
mind  to  bear  upon  what  will  be  imperiously  required  of 
you  to  accomplish  the  great  work  that  lies  before  you. 
Count  well  the  cost.  You  have  read  of  the  persecutions 
and  trials  of  ancient  days.  Has  not  bitter  experience 
taught  you  that  they  are  the  same  now !  You  will  be 
dragged  before  the  authorities  for  the  religion  you  i^rofess ; 
and  it  were  better  not  to  set  out  than  to  start,  look  back, 
or  shrink  when  dangers  thicken  ui^on,  or  ai^paUing  death 
stares  you  in  the  face.  I  have  spoken  these  things,  dear 
brothel',  because  I  have  seen  them  in   \isions.      There  are 

9 


130      AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PKATT. 

strong  dungeons  and  gloomy  prisons  for  you.  These  should 
not  appall  you.  You  must  be  called  a  good  or  bad  man. 
The  ancients  passed  through  the  same.  They  had  this 
testimony,  that  they  had  seen  the  Saviour  after  he  rose 
from  the  dead.  You  must  bear  some  testimony,  or  jour 
mission,  your  labor,  your  toil  will  be  in  vain.  You  must 
bear  the  same  testimony  that  there  is  but  one  God,  one 
Mediator;  he  that  has  seen  Him  will  know  Him,  and  tes- 
tify of  Him.  Beware  of  pride  ;  beware  of  evil  ;  shun  the 
very  appearance  of  it ;  for  the  time  is  commg  when,  if 
you  do  not  give  heed  to  these  things,  you  will  have  a 
fall.  Among  your  many  afflictions  you  will  have  many 
blessings  also  ;  but  you  must  pass  through  many  afflictions 
in  order  to  receive  the  glory  that  is  in  resers'e  for  you. 
You  will  see  thousands  who,  when  they  first  see  you,  will 
know  nothing  about  salvation  by  Jesus  Christ ;  you  shall 
see  a  nation  bom  in  a  day.  A  great  work  lies  before 
you,  and  the  time  is  near  when  you  must  bill  farewell  to 
your  native  land,  cross  the  mighty  deep,  and  sound  the 
tocsin  of  alarm  to  other  natious,  kindreds,  tongiies  and 
peofde.  Eemember,  that  all  your  hopes  of  deliverance 
from  danger  and  fr'om  death  will  rest  upon  yom-  faithful- 
ness to  God  ;  in  His  cause  you  must  necessarily  serve 
Him  with  a  perfect  heart  and  a  willing  mind.  Avoid 
strife  and  vain  glors" ;  think  not  yourself  better  than  your 
brethren,  but  pray  for  them  as  well  as  for  yourself ;  and 
if  you  are  faithful,  great  will  be  your  blessings ;  but  if 
you  are  not,  your  stewardship  will  be  taken  from  you  and 
another  appointed  in   your  stead.' 

"  Elder  Pratt  gave  his  hand  to  President  O.  Cowdery, 
and  said  he  had  received  ordination,  and  should  ftilfil  the 
ministry  according  to  the  grace  given  him  ;  to  which  the 
President  rei:»lied  :  '  Go  forth,  and  angels  shall  bear  thee 
up,  and  thou  shalt  come  forth  at  the  last  day,  bringing 
many  ^"ith  thee.' " 

Thomas  B.    Marsh    and    Orson    Pratt    were    absent    on  a 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      131 

mission.  Elder  Marsli  retm*ned  to  Kirtland  ou  the  25th  of 
April,  and  Elder  Pratt  on  the  2Gth,  aud  received  their 
ordinations   and  blessing. 

The  followmg  charge  was  given  to  the  Twelve  by  Presi- 
dent O.  Cowdery  : 

"  Dear  Brethren  :  Previons  to  delivering  the  charge, 
I  shall  read  a  x>art  of  a  revelation.  It  is  known  to  you 
that,  previons  to  the  organization  of  this  Church,  in  1830, 
the  Lord  gave  revelations,  or  the  Church  coidd  not  have 
been  organized.  The  people  of  this  Church  were  weak  in 
faith  comijared  with  the  ancients.  Those  who  embarked 
in  this  cause  were  desirous  to  know  how  the  work 
was  to  be  conducted.  They  read  many  things  in  the 
Book  of  IMormon  concerning  their  duty,  and  the  way  the 
great  work  ought  to  be  done  ;  but  the  nunds  of  men  are 
so  constructed  that  they  wiU  not  believe  without  a  testi- 
mony of  seeing  or  hearing.  The  Lord  gave  us  a  revela- 
tion that,  in  process  of  time,  there  should  be  twelve  men 
chosen  to  preach  His   gospel  to  Jew  and  Gentile. 

"  Oiu'  minds  have  been  on  a  constant  stretch  to  find 
who  these  twelve  were,  when  the  time  should  come  we 
could  not  tell  ;  but  we  sought  the  Lord  by  fasting  and 
prayer  to  have  oiu"  lives  prolonged  to  see  this  day  ;  to 
see  you ;  and  to  take  a  retrospect  of  the  difficulties 
through  which  we  have  passed  ;  but,  having  seen  the  day, 
it  becomes  my  duty  to  deliver  to  you  a  charge ;  and 
first,  a  few  remarks  respecting  your  ministry.  You  have 
many  revelations  put  into  your  hands  ;  revelations  to  make 
you  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  your  mission  ;  you  will 
have  difficulties  by  reason  of  your  visiting  all  the  nations 
of  the  world.  You  will  need  wisdom  in  a  ten-fold  pro- 
portion to  what  you  have  ever  had  ;  you  will  have  to 
combat  all  the  prejudices   of  all  nations." 

He  then  read  the  revelation  and  said  :  "  Have  you 
desired  this  ministry  with  all  your  hearts  !  If  you  have 
desired  it,   you  are  called  of  God,   not  of  man,   to  go  into 


132      AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

all  the  world."  He  then  read  again  from  the  revelation 
what  the  Lord  said  to  the  Twelve.  "  Brethren,  you  have 
your  duty  presented  in  this  reAelation.  You  have  been 
ordained  to  the  holy  priesthood  ;  you  have  received  it 
from  those  who  have  their  power  and  authority  from  an 
angel ;  you  are  to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  nation. 
Shoidd  you  in  the  least  degree  come  short  of  your  duty, 
',  great  will  be  your  condemnation  ;  for  the  gTeater  the  call- 
ing the  greater  the  transgression.  I,  therefore,  warn  you 
to  cultivate  great  humility,  for  I  know  the  pride  of  the 
human  heart.  Beware,  lest  the  flatterers  of  the  world  lift 
you  up  ;  beware,  lest  your  affections  are  captivated  by 
worldly  objects.  Let  your  ministry  be  first.  Eemember, 
the  souls  of  men  are  committed  to  your  charge,  and,  if 
you  mind  your  calling,  you   shall   always  prosper. 

"You  have  been  indebted  to  other  men  in  the  first  in- 
stance for    evidence ;    on  that    you   have  acted ;    but    it    is 
;  necessary    that  you  receive    a    testimony  from    Heaven   for 
i  yourselves ;    so  that  you  can  bear    testimony   to  the    truth 
I  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  that  you  have  seen  the  face 
lof   God.     That    is    more    than    the   testimony  of   an   angel. 
When  the  proper  time  arrives,  you  shall  be  able  to  bear 
this  testimony  to  the  world.     When  you  bear  testimony  that 
you  have   seen    God,   this   testimony   God   will  never   suffer 
to    fall,    but   will    bear    you    out ;    although    many  will   not 
give  heed,  yet  others  will.     You  wUl,  therefore,  see  the  ne- 
^-cessity  of  getting  this  testimony  from   Heaven. 
\       "Isever    cease   striving    till   you    have   seen  God   face  to 
\  face.     Strengthen    your    faith;    cast    off  your    doubts,   youi- 
sins,  and  all    your  unbeUef,    and  nothing    can  prevent  you 
I  from  coming  to  God.     Your  ordination  is  not  full  and  com- 
pTete  till   God   has    laid  His  hands  upon  you.     We  require 
as  much  to  qualify  us   as  did  those  who  have  gone  before 
us ;    God  is  the  same.     If  the  Saviour  in  former  days  laid 
his  hands  on  his   disciples,  why  not  in  latter  days  ? 

"  With  regard  to  sui>eriority  I  must  make  a  few  remarks. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PKATT.     133 

The  ancient  Apostles  sought  to  be  great;  but  lest  the 
seeds  of  discoid  be  sown  in  this  matter,  understand  par- 
ticularly the  voice  of  the  Spirit  on  this  occasion.  God  does 
not  love  you  better  or  more  than  others.  You  are  to  con- 
tend for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints.  Jacob,  you 
know,  wiestled  till  he  obtained.  It  was  by  fervent  prayer 
and  diligent  search  that  30U  have  obtained  the  testimony 
you  are  now  able  to  bear.  You  are  as  one;  you  are  equal 
in  bearing  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  to  all  nations.  You 
are  called  to  preach  the  gospel  of  the  Son  of  God  to  the 
nations  of  the  earth;  it  is  the  will  of  your  Heavenly 
Father  that  you  proclaim  His  gospel  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  and  the  islands   of  the   sea. 

"  Be  zealous  to   save   souls.     The  soul  of  one  man  is  as 
precious  as  the  soul  of  another.     You  are  to  bear  this  mes- 
sage   to    those    who    consider    themselves    wise;    and    such 
may  persecute  you ;    they  may  seek  your  life.      The  adver- 
sary  has  always   sought    the  life  of  the   servants    of  God; 
you  are,  therefore,  to  be  prepared  at  all  times  to  make  a 
sacrifice  of  your  lives,  should  God  require  them  in  the  ad- 
vancement and  building  up  of  His  cause.     Murmur  not  at  ^ 
God.    Be  always  prayerful;    be  always  watchful.    You  will 
bear  with  me  while  I  relieve  the  feelings  of  my  heart.    We  i 
shall  not    see  another    day  like    this ;    the    time    has   fully  j 
come;    the  voice  of  the  Spirit  has  come  to  set  these  men/ 
apart.  I 

"You  will  see  the  time  when  you  Avill  desire  to  see  such 
a  day  as  this,  and  you  will  not  see  it.  Every  heart  wishes 
you  peace  and  prosperity ;  but  the  scene  with  you  will  in- 
evitably change.  Let  no  man  take  your  bishopric ;  and 
beware  that  you  lose  not  your  crowns.  It  will  require  your 
Whole  souls ;    it  will  require  courage  like  Enoch's. 

"  The  time  is  near  when  you  will  be  in  the  midst  of 
congregations  who  mil  gnash  their  teeth  upon  you.  This 
gospel  must  roll,  and  ^vUl  roll  until  it  fills  the  whole  earth. 
Did  I  say  congregations  would  gnash  upon  you?    Yea,   I 


134 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


•say  nations   wiU  gnash  upon  yon;    yon   will  be  considered 
tlie   worst    of   men.     Be    not    discomaged    at    tbis.    A\lien 
God  pours   out  His   Spirit  the  enemy  wiU  rage;    but  God, 
remember,  is  on  your  right  haud  and  on  your  left.    A  man, 
thono-h  he  be    considered    the   worst,   has  joy,   who  is  con- 
scious that  he   pleases  God.    The  lives  of  those   who  pro- 
claun  the    true    gospel  will   be    in  danger;    this    has  been 
the  case  ever  since  the  days  of  righteous  Abel.    The  same 
opposition  has  been  manifest  whenever  men  came  forward 
to  publish  the  gospel.    The  time  is  coming  when  you  will 
he  considered  the  worst  by  many,   and  by  some  the  best 
of  men      The  time  is    coming   when  you   will  be  perfectly 
famihar    with    the    things     of    God.      This    testimony    wdl 
make    those    who     do    not    believe     yoiu-    testimony    seek 
youi  lives;    but  there  are   whole  nations   who   will  receive 
your   testimony.    They   will    caU    you    good    men.    Be    not 
lifted   up  when  vou  are    caUed   good   men.    Remember  you 
are  yoimg  men,\nd    you  shall   be  spared.     I  include  the 
other  three.     Bear   them    m  mind   in    your  prayers;    carry 
their  cases  to    a    throne  of  gTace ;    although    they  are  not 
present,  yet  you  and  they  are  equal.    This  appointment  is 
calculated    to    create    an    affection    in    you    for    each   other 
stronger    than    death."   You   will    travel    to    other    nations; 
bear  each  other  in  mind.     If  one  or  more  is  cast  into  pris- 
on, let  the  others  pray   for  huu,   and  deliver  him  by  theu' 
prayers.     Your  hves  shall  be  in    great  jeopardy;    but   the 
promise  of  God  is,  that  you  shaU  be  delivered. 

"  Eemember  you  are  not  to  go  to  other  nations  till  you 
receive  your  endowment.  Tarry  at  Kirtland  until  you  are 
endowed  with  power  from  on  high.  You  need  a  fountam 
of  wisdom,  knowledge  and  intelligence,  such  as  you  never 
had  Relative  to  the  endowment,  I  make  a  remark  or  two, 
that  there  be  no  mistake.  The  world  cannot  receive  the 
things  of  God.  He  can  endow  you  without  worldly  pomp 
or  great  parade.  He  can  give  you  that  wisdom,  that  mtel- 
ligence    and   that    power  which    characterized    the    ancient 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      135 

saints,  and  now  cliaracterizes  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper 
world.  The  greatness  of  your  commission  consists  iii  this : 
You  are  to  hold  the  keys  of  this  ministry ;  you  are  to  go 
to  the  nations  afar  off;  nations  that  sit  m  darkness.  The 
day  is  comiug  when  the  work  of  God  must  be  done.  Israel 
shall  be  gathered.  The  seed  of  Jacob  shall  be  gathered 
fi'om  their  long  dispersion.  There  will  be  a  feast  to  Israel, 
the  elect  of  God.  It  is  a  sorrowful  tale,  but  the  gospel 
must  be  preached,  and  God's  ministers  rejected;  but  where 
can  Israel  be  foimd  and  receive  your  testimony  and  not 
rejoice  f  No  where !  The  prophecies  are  fidl  of  great 
things  that  are  to  take  place  in  the  last  days.  After  the 
elect  are  gathered  out,  destruction  shall  come  on  the  in-  , 
habitants  of  the  earth  ;  all  nations  shaU  feel  the  wrath  of 
God,  after  they  have  been  Avarned  by  the  saints  of  the 
Most  High.  If  you  will  not  warn  them  others  will,  and  you 
will  lose  your  crowns. 

"You  must  prepare  your  minds  to  bid  a  long  farewell 
to  Kirtland,  even  till  the  great  day  come.  You  wdU  see 
what  you  never  expected  to  see ;  you  will  need  the  mind 
of  Enoch  or  Elijah,  and  the  faith  of  the  brother  of  Jared ; 
you  must  be  jjrepared  to  walk  by  faith,  however  appalling 
the  prospect  to  human  view;  you,  and  each  of  you,  should 
feel  the  force  of  the  imperious  mandate,  '■  Son,  go  labor  in 
my  vineyard,'  and  cheerfully  receive  what  comes ;  but  in 
the  end  you  will  stand  while  others  will  faU.  You  have 
read  in  the  revelation  concerning  ordination :  '  Beware  how 
you  ordain,  for  aU  nations  are  not  like  this  nation;  they 
will  willingly  receive  the  ordinances  at  your  hands  to  put 
you  out  of  the  way.  Them}  ^viU  be  times  when  nothing 
but  the  angels  of  God  can  deliver  you  out  of  their  hands.' 

"We  appeal  to  your  intelligence,  we  appeal  to  your  un- 
derstanding, that  we  have  so  far  discharged  our  duty  to 
you.  We  consider  it  one  of  the  greatest  condescensions 
of  our  Heavenly  Father  in  pointing  you  out  to  us ;  you 
will  be  stewards  over  this  ministry;    you  have  a  work  to 


136      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PRATT. 

do  that  no  other  men  can  do;  you  must  proclaim  the 
gospel  in  its  simplicity  and  purity,  and  we  commend  you 
to  God  and  the  word  of  His  grace.  You  have  our  best 
wishes,  you  have  our  most  fervent  i^rayers,  that  you  may 
be  able  to  bear  this  testimony, — that  you  have  seen  the 
face  of  God.  Therefore,  call  upon  Him  in  faith  and 
mighty  prayer,  till  you  prevail ;  for  it  is  your  duty  and 
pri\ilege  to  bear  such  testimony  for  yourselves.  We  now 
exhort  you  to  be  faithful  to  fulfil  your  calling, — there  must 
be  no  lack  here  ;  you  must  fulfil  in  all  things,  and  per- 
mit us  to  repeat,  all  nations  have  a  claim  on  you;  you 
are  bound  together  as  the  three  ^vitnesses  were;  you,  not- 
withstanding, can  part  and  meet,  and  meet  and  part  again, 
till  your  heads   are  silvered  o'er  with  age." 

He  then  took  them  separately  by  the  hand,  and  said, 
"Do  you  with  full  purpose  of  heart  take  part  in  this 
ministry,  to  proclaim  the  gospel  with  all  diligence,  with 
these  your  brethren,  according  to  the  tenor  and  intent  of 
the  charge  you  have  received  f  Each  of  whom  answered 
in  the  afiirmative. 


CHAPTER     XYI. 

Return  to  New  Portage: — Fire: — Return  to  Kirtland: — Mob: — Journey  East- 
ward, as  far  as  Maine: — Return  to  Boston: — Removal  to  Kirtland: — A 
Temple: — School,  Endowments,  Prophecj'ings,  Visions,  etc.: — Visit  from 
Brother  H.  C.  Kimball  and  Others:— My  Wife  Healed  and  Blessed:— A 
•  Remarkable  Prophecy  and  its  Fulfilment: — Mission  to  Canada: — Falls  of 
Niagara : — Reflections. 

AFTEE  tliis  solemn  ordinance  was  completed,  togetlier 
witli  the  blessings,  charges  and  instnictious  connected 
therewith,  I  was  instructed  to  prepare  for  a  mission  in 
the  coming  spring,  in  connection  with  my  brethren  of  the 
quorum. 

I  now  returned  home  to  New  Portage,  and  began  to 
make  preparations  for  my  mission,  but  the  state  of  ray 
affairs  was  such  that  it  seemed  almost  impossible  for  me 
to  leave  home  5  my  wife  was  sick,  my  aged  mother  had 
come  to  live  Avith  me,  and  looked  to  me  for  support — age 
and  infirmity  having  rendered  my  father  unable  to  do  for 
himself  or  family.  I  was  also  engaged  in  building  a 
hmise,  and  in  other  business,  while  at  the  same  time  I 
was  somewhat  in  debt,  and  in  want  of  most  of  the  neces- 
saries of  life. 

Under  these  embarrassed  circumstances,  I  hesitated  for 
a  while  whether  to  attempt  to  perform  the  mission  assigned 
me,  or  stay  at  home  and  finish  my  building  and  mechanical 
work.  While  I  pondered  these  things,  with  my  mind  un- 
settled, and  continued  my  work,  \\ith  a  feeling  of  hesita- 
tion whether  it  was  a  duty  to  sacrifice  all  the  labor  and 
expense    to    which    I    had   been    in    my    preparations    and 


138      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PKATT. 

unfinished  work,  or  whether  it  was  a  duty  to  stay  and 
complete  it,  I  was  called  very  suddenly  to  administer  to  a 
brother  by  the  name  of  Matthews,  who  was  taken  sudden- 
ly and  dangerously  ill.  I  found  him  writhing  and  groan- 
ing in  the  utmost  agony,  being  crami^ed  and  con^nilsed  in  a 
horrible  manner,  while  the  family  were  in  great  consterna- 
tion, and  weeping  around  him.  I  kneeled  down  to  praj', 
but  in  the  midst  of  my  prayer  we  were  intemipted  by  the 
cry  of  fire  !  fire !!  fire !!!  We  sprang  from  our  knees,  and 
ran  towards  my  house,  which  was  all  in  a  blaze,  being 
an  unfinished,  two  story  frame  building,  open  to  the  fresh 
breeze  and  full  of  shavings,  lumber,  shingles,  etc.,  while  a 
family  occupied  a  small  apartment  of  the  same,  and  no 
water  near. 

Our  utmost  exertious  barely  accomplished  the  removal 
of  the  family  and  their  goods ;  the  building,  tools,  boards, 
shingles,  building  materials,  all  were  consumed  in  a  few 
moments.  Thus  closed  all  my  hesitation  ;  my  works  of 
that  nature  were  now  aU  completed,  and  myself  ready  to 
fill  my  mission.  One  gave  me  a  coat ;  another  a  hat ;  a 
third,  house  room  ;  a  fourth,  provisions  ;  while  a  fifth  for- 
gave me  the  debts  due  to  them ;  and  a  sixth  bade  me 
God  speed  to  hasten  on  my    mission. 

Taking  an  affectionate  leave  of  my  family  and  J  friends 
in  New  Portage,  I  reiiaired  to  Kirtland,  ready  /t;o  accom- 
pany my  brethren.  While  they  made  ^'ead:^  I  paid  a 
visit  to  an  adjoining  township  called  Mentor ;  and  visit- 
ing from  house  to  house,  I  attempted  to  lueach  to  them  ; 
but  they  were  full  of  lying  and  prejudice,  and  would  not 
hear  the  Word.  I  then  appointed  a  meeting  in  the  open 
air,  on  the  steps  of  a  meeting  house  owned  by  a  people 
called  "  Campbellites,"  one  Mr.  Alexander  Campbell  being 
their  leader ;  they  ha\dng  refused  to  open  the  house  to 
me.  Some  came  to  hear,  and  some  to  disturb  the 
meeting;  and  one  Mr.  Newel  soon  appeared  at  the  head  of 
a  mob  of   some    fifty    men  and   a    band    of  music.      These 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P,  PRATT.      139 

formed  iu  order  of  battle  and  marched  round  several 
times  near  where  I  stood,  drowning-  my  voice  with  the 
noise  of  their  drums  and  other  instruments.  I  suspended  my 
discourse  several  times  as  they  passed,  and  then  resumed. 
At  length,  finding  that  no  disturbance  of  this  kind  would 
prevent  the  attempt  to  discharge  my  duty,  they  rushed 
upon  me  with  one  accord  at  a  given  signal,  every  man 
throwing  an  egg  at  my  j^erson.  My  forehead,  bosom, 
and  most  of  my  body  was  comiiletely  covered  with  the 
broken  eggs.  At  this  I  departed,  and  walked  slowly 
away,  being  insidted  and  followed  by  this  rabble  for  some 
distance.  I  soon  arrived  in  Kirtland,  and  was  assisted 
by  my  kind  friends  in  cleansing  myself  and  clothes  from 
the  effects  of  this  Christian    benevolence. 

All  things  being  in  readiness,  and  the  spring  fairly 
opened,  the  Twelve  took  their  journey  down  Lake  Erie, 
and  landed  at  Dunkirk,  in  the  neighborhood  of  which  we 
had  appointed  to  hold  a  conference.  The  members  of  the 
Church  assembled  from  the  region  round,  and  the  people 
turned  out  in  great  numbers.  We  addressed  them  iu 
several  interesting  discourses,  and  had  a  good  time  ;  many 
seemed  to  receive  the  Word  with  joy,  and  some  were  bap- 
tized and  added  to  the  Church. 

From  thence  we  continued  our  journey  through  the 
Eastern  States,  holding  conferences  in  every  i)lace  where 
branches  of  the  Church  had  been  organized,  ordaining  and 
instructing  Elders  and  other  officers ;  exhorting  the  mem- 
bers to  continue  in  i^rayer  and  in  well  doing  ;  minister- 
mg  to  the  sick  and  instructing  the  ignorant.  We  also 
preached  the  Word,  and  baptized  such  as  desired  to  be 
obedient  to  the  faith  ;  confirming  them  by  the  laying  on 
of  hands  and  prayer  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ ;  thus 
the  Holy  Ghost  and  the  gifts  thereof  were  shed  forth 
among  ^tbe- people,  and  they  had  great  joy.  The  month 
of  August,  1835,  found  us  in  the  State  of  Maine,  and  the 
mission    completed. 


liO 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


We  HOW  returned  to  Boston,  and  from  thence  home  to 
Kirtland,  where  we  arrived  sometime  in  October.  After 
spending  a  few  days  in  the  society  of  the  Saints  in  Kirt- 
land, I  repaired  to  ^ew  Portage,  where  I  found  my  wife 
and  mother  in  usual  health,  and  was  received  with  joy  by 
them  and  the  Saints.  I  now  made  preparation  and  re- 
moved to  Kirtland,  in  order  to  be  with  the  body  of  the 
Church  at  headquarters  ;  and  to  imjirove  every  oppoitunity 
of  obtaining  instruction. 

A  portion  of  the  Temi)le  at  Kirtland  was  now  finished, 
and  schools  were  opened  in  several  apartments.  The 
Presidency  of  the  Church,  the  Twelve,  and  many  others 
were  organized  into  a  school  for  the  purpose  of  studying 
the  Hebrew  language.  This  study,  and  the  meetings  of  the 
several  quorums  for  instruction  and  endowment,  occupied 
most  of  the  winter. 


riKTLAND    TEMPLE. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      141 

The  ordiiiaiices  of  the  priesthood  were  revealed  to  a 
greater  exteut  than  had  been  known  among  men  since  the 
prophets  and  Apostles  of  old  fell  asleep  ;  and  many  were 
anointed  to  their  holy  calling,  and  were  instrncted  in  prin- 
ciples which  A\'ere  great  and  glorious  in  themselves,  and 
calculated  to  enlarge  the  mind  and  prepare  the  chosen 
servants  of  God  for  the  great  work  before  them.  Many 
great  and  marvellous  things  were  prophesied,  which  I  am 
not  at  liberty  to  record,  and  many  of  which  have  since 
been  fulfilled  to  the  very  letter.  Many  x>ersons  were 
carried  away  in  the  visions  of  the  Spirit,  and  saw  and 
heard  unspeakable  things;  and  many  enjoyed  the  minis- 
tering of  angels,  and  the  gift  of  healing  and  of  speaking 
in   tongues. 

Spring  at  length  returned,  and  the  Elders  prepared  to 
take  leave  of  each  other,  and  to  go  on  their  several 
missions.  As  to  myself,  I  was  deeply  in  debt  for  the 
expenses  of  life  during  the  winter,  and  on  account  of  pur- 
chasing a  lot,  and  building  thereon.  I,  therefore,  knew 
not  what  to  do,  whether  to  go  on  a  mission  or  stay  at 
home,  and  endeavor  by  industry  to  sustain  my  family  and 
pay  my  debts. 
f~"  It  was  now  April ;  I  had  retired  to  rest  one  evening  at 
an  early  horn-,  and  was  pondering  my  futuie  course,  when 
there  came  a  knock  at  the  door.  I  arose  and  opened  it, 
when  Elder  Heber  C.  Kimball  and  others  entered  my 
house,  and  being  filled  with  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  they 
blessed  me   and  my  wife,   and  proj^hecied  as   follows  : 

"Brother  Parley,  thy  wife  shall  be  healed  from  this 
hour,  and  shall  bear  a  sou,  and  his  name  shall  be  Parley ; 
and  he  shall  be  a  chosen  instrument  in  the  hands  of  the 
Lord  to  inherit  the  priesthood  and  to  walk  in  the  steps 
of  his  father.  He  shall  do  a  great  Avork  in  the  earth 
in  ministering  the  Word  and  teaching  the  children  of  men. 
Arise,  therefore,  and  go  forth  in  the  ministry,  notliing 
doubting.    Take  no  thought  for  your  debts,   nor  the  neces- 


142       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

saries  of  life,  for  the  Lord  Avill  supply  you  with  abundant 
means  for  all  things. 

''  Thou  shalt  go  to  Upper  Canada,  even  to  the  city  of 
Toronto,  the  capital,  and  there  thou  shalt  find  a  people 
prepared  for  the  fulness  of  the  gospel,  and  they  shall  re- 
ceive thee,  and  thou  shalt  organize  the  Church  among 
them,  and  it  shall  spread  thence  into  ^the  regions  round 
about,  and  many  shall  be  brought  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth  and  shall  be  filled  with  joy ;  and  from  the 
things  growing  out  of  this  mission,  shall  the  fulness  of  the 
gospel  spread  into  England,  and  cause  a  great  work  to 
jbe  done  in  that  land. 

"  You  shall  not  only  have  means  to  deliver  you  from 
your  i^resent  embarrassments,  but  you  shall  yet  have 
riches,  silver  and  gold,  till  you  will  loath  the  counting 
thereof." 

This  prophecy  was  the  more  marvellous,  because  being 
married  near  ten  years  we  had  never  had  any  children ; 
and  for  near  six  years  my  ^vife  had  been  coiisumi^tive, 
and  had  been  considered  incurable.  However,  we  called 
to  mind  the  faith  of  Abraham  of  old,  and  judging  Him 
(faithful  who  had  promised,  we  took  courage. 

I  now  began  in  earnest  to  prepare  for  the  mission,  and 
in  a  few  days  all  was  ready.  I  took  an  affectionate  leave 
of  my  wife,  mother  and  friends,  and  started  for  Canada  in 
company  with  a  brother  Mckerson,  who  kindly  offered  to 
bear  my  expenses.  After  a  long  and  tedious  passage  in 
a  public  coach  (the  roads  being  very  bad  and  the  Lake 
not  open),  we  arrived  at  the  Falls  of  Niagara  sometime 
ui  the  month  of  April,  1836. 

As  this  was  my  first  ^■isit  to  this  place  it  made  a  deep 
and  awful  impression  on  my  mind.  We  halted  a  short 
time  to  Adew  this  wonder  of  nature,  and  to  adore  that 
God  who  had  formed  a  world  so  sublimely  grand.  The 
leaping  of  a  mighty  river  of  waters  over  a  perpendicular 
fall  of   one  hundred  and  sixty  feet,  the  foaming  and  dash- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      143 

ing  of  its  white  si)ray  upon  the  rocks  beneath ;  the  rising 
cloud  of  mist  with  its  glittering  rainbow,  the  yawning 
giilf  with  its  thousand  whirlpools ;  all  conspired  to  fill 
the  cout  niplative  mind  with  wonder  and  admiration,  and 
with  reverence  to  the  Great  Author  of  all  the  wonders 
of  creation ;  while  its  everlasting  roar  which  may  be 
heard  for  many  miles  distant,  seemed  a  livelj*  emblem  of 
eternity. 

\Yhile  musing  on  this  spot,  I  fell  into  the  following 
train  of  reflection :  O,  ]!^iagara !  Generations  may  imss  in 
long  succession ;  ages  may  roll  away  and  others  still  suc- 
ceed ;  empires  may  rise  and  flourish,  and  pass  away  and 
be  forgotten ;  but  still  thy  deafening,  thy  solemn  and  awful 
voice  is  heard  in  one  eternal  roar.  The  temples  of  marble 
may  moulder  to  dust,  the  monuments  of  the  great  may 
crumble  to  decay,  the  palaces  of  kings  fall  to  ruin  and 
their  very  jilace  become  unknown,  their  history  forgotten  in 
the  almost  countless  ages  of  antiquity ;  and  still  thy 
sound  is  heard  in  everlasting  moan,  as  if  mourning  over 
the  ruins  of   by-gone  years. 

With  deepest  eloquence  thou  seemest  to  speak  in  awful 
pride,  saying :  '^  Before  Abraham  was,  I  am ;"  and  with 
mingled  feelings  of  pity  and  contempt  thou  seemest  to 
inquire : — 

Where   now  is   Nimrod's   mighty  tower?     "Where   the 

Majestic   walls,    the   warUke   battlements, 

The   splendid   palaces,  the   hanging  gardens 

Of    Babylon? 

"Where   the   proud   Nebuchadnezzar,  who,   with 

Grolden   sceptre,   swayed  the  world,  and  made 

The  nations  tremble  ?     "Where   the  proud  Ninevah, — 

The   strong   Thebes,   with   its   hundred  gates  ? 

The   golden   Tyre,   the   splendid  Athens,  the 

Majestic   Rome,  with  all   their   works   of   art — 

Their   monuments   of   fame,  once   the   pride 

And   glory  of   the   world  ? 

"Where   the   mighty  Pharaoh's,  the   terrible 


144      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PRATT. 

Alexanders,    the   iuvincible   Cesars, 

The   warhke    Hannibal?     Tyrants   in    turn. 

Where  now   the   gifted   poets,  the  splendid 

Orators,  the   profound  philosophers 

Of   Greece   and   Eome,  whose   mighty   genius 

Hurled   royal   tyrants   headlong   from    their   thrones,— 

Made   senates  weep   or    laugh   at  will,  and   ruled 

The   nations?     They  arc   swept   away  by  time; 

Their  beauty,  like   the   morning  flower,  is   withered 

Their   pride   and  glory  gone   Uke   leaves   of    autiunn;— 

Their   grandest   works   arc  fast  decaying, 

Mouldering   to  ruin,   soon   to  be  forgotten. 

But  still   my  store  house   is   unexhausted. 

My  fountain  fuU   and   overflowing— my 

Solid  munitions   of   rocks   stand   secure.— 

My  voice   as   mighty  as   when  the  beauteous 

Colors  of   the   rainbow  flrst   sported   in 

The  sunbeams : — 

As  when   the    intelligences   of   olden   worlds 

First   gazed  with   admiration   upon   my 

Expanded   waters;    or,   animated   at 

The  music   of   my  voice    joined   in    the    chorus, 

And  all  the   sons   of    God   shouted  for    joy. 

But,  boast   not,    0   proud   Niagara!     Though 
Thou  mayest  withstand   the  ravages   of   time,— 
While    countless   millions,    swept   away  with  all 
Their   mighty  works,  are  lost   in  following    years.- 
Yet  there   is   a  voice   to   speak,  long   and  loud; 
'Tis   Michael's   trump,    whose   mighty  blast,  shall   rend 
Thy  rocks,  and   bow   thy  lofty  mountains  in   the  dust, 
Before  whose   awful   presence  thy  waters 
Blush   in   retiring    modesty;    and   in 
Respectful   sUence   thou   shalt   staud   in   listening 
Wonder,   and   admire,   while   thunders   roll 
Majestic   round   the   sky,   the  lightenings   play,— 
■    The   mountains   sink— the  vaUeys  rise— till  Earth, 
Eestored   to   its   original,   receives 
Its  final   rest,   and   groans   and   sighs   no   more. 

TiU  then,  weep   on,  and  let  thy  voice   ascend 
In   solemn   music   to   the   skies,— 'tis  like 
A  funeral   dirge,-'tis  fit  to  weep   o'er   the   miseries 
Of    a  fallen   world  in   anguish  deej). 


CHAPTER     XYII. 

Journey  Resumed  : — Ministrj'- : — Striking  Answer  to  Prayer  : — Arrivid  ;it  To- 
ronto : — John  Taj'lor : — Yisit  the  Rehgious  Ministers,  the  Sheriff,  and 
the  Public  Market,  Seeking  for  an  Opening,  but  in  Vain : — Secret 
Prayer : — About  to  leave  the  City  — God  Sends  a  TVidow  to  Receive 
Me  : — Great  Faith  : — Eyes  of  the  Blmd  Opened  : — Great  Excitement  and 
Gainsayings : — PubUc  Preaching : — Find  a  People  Prepared  to  Receive 
the  Message. 

T  EAVDsTG  the  Falls  we  continued  our  journey  for  a  day 
-'-^  or  two  on  foot,  and  as  the  Sabbath  apj)roached  we 
halted  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hamilton,  and  gave  out  two 
or  three  aijpointments  for  meetings.  Brother  Mckerson 
now  left  me  to  fill  these  apijointments,  and  passed  on  to 
his  home,  in  a  distant  part  of  the  province. 

I  j)reached  to  the  people,  and  was  kindly  entertained 
till  Monday  morning,  when  I  took  leave  and  entered 
Hamilton,  a  flourishing  town  at  the  head  of  Lake  Ontario; 
but  my  i)lace  of  destination  was  Toronto,  aromid  on  the 
north  side  of  the  lake.  If  I  went  by  land  I  would  have 
a  circuitous  route,  muddy  and  tedious  to  go  on  foot.  The 
lake  had  just  opened,  and  steamers  had  commenced  plying 
between  the  two  places ;  two  dollars  would  convey  me  to 
Toronto  in  a  few  hours,  and  save  some  days  of  laborious 
walking  ;  but  I  was  an  entire  stranger  in  Hamilton,  and 
also  in  the  province;  and  money  I  had  none.  Under 
these  circumstances  I  pondered  what  I  should  do.  I  had 
many  times  received  answers  to  prayer  in  such  matters ; 
but  now  it  seemed  hard  to  exercise  faith,  because  I  was 
among  strangers  and  entirely  unknown.      The  Spirit  seemed 

10 


146      AUTOBIOaKAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PEATT. 

to  Whisper  to  me  to  try  the  Lord,  and  see  if  anything 
^as  too  hard  for  him,  that  I  nSght  know  and  trnst  Him 
under  all  cir-cumstances.  I  retii^ed  to  a  secret  place  in  a 
forest  and  praved  to  the  Lord  for  money  to  enable  me  to 
rross  the  lake.  I  then  entered  Hamilton  and  commenced 
to  chat  with  some  of  the  people.  I  had  not  tarried  many 
Bunutes  before  I  was  accosted  by  a  stranger,  who  mqmred 
my  name  and  where  I  was  gomg.  He  also  asked  me  if 
I  did  not  want  some  money.  I  said  yes.  He  then  gave 
me  ten  doUars  and  a  letter  of  introduction  to  John 
Taylor,   of  Toronto,  where  I  arrived  the  same  evenmg. 

4s  Tavlor  received  me  kindly,  and  went  for  her  hus- 
baml,  wh;  was  busy  in  his  mechanic  shop.  To  them  I 
made  known  my  errand  to  the  city,  but  received  little 
toect  encouragement.  I  took  tea  with  them,  and  then 
sought  lodgings  at   a  pnbUc  house. 

In  the  morning  I  commenced  a  regular  visit  to  each  of 
the  clergy  of  the  place,  inti^oducing  myself  and  my  errand. 
I  was  absolutely  refused  hospitahty,  and  denied  the  oppor- 
tunity of   preaching   in    any    of   their  houses    or   congrega- 
tions      Eather  an  impromising    beginning,  thought  1,   con- 
siderino-    the    prophecies    on    my    head    concernmg    Toronto. 
However,  nothing  daunted,  I  applied  to  the  Sheriff  for  the 
use  of  the  Court  House,  and  then  to  the  authorities  for  a 
pubhc  room  in  the  market  place  ;  but  with  no  better  suc- 
cess     What    could    I    do    more?      I    had    exhausted    my 
influence  and  power  without  effect.      I    now    repaired   to  a 
pine  grove  just  out  of  the  town,  and,  kneeUng  doTN-n,  caUed 
on  the  Lord,    bearing   testimony   of   my   unsuccessfid   exer- 
tions;  my   inability    to    open    the  way;    at   the   same  tune 
asking   Hhn    in    th-    name    of   Jesus    to    open    au  effectual 
door  for  His   servant  to  fulfil  his  mission  in  that  place. 

I  then  arose  and  agam  entered  the  town,  and  gomg  to 
the  house  of  John  Taylor,  had  placed  my  hand  on  my 
ba-gage  to  depart  from  a  place  where  I  could  do  no 
good,  ''when    a    few    inquiries    on  the   part   of   Mr.    Taylor, 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  147 

inspired  by  a  degree  of  curiosity  or  of  anxiety,  caused  a 
feAV  moments'  delay,  during  \Yliich  a  lady  by  the  name  ot 
Walton  entered  the  house,  and,  being  an  acquaintance  of 
Mrs.  Taylor's,  was  soon  engaged  in  conversation  with  her 
in  an   adjoining  room,      I   overheard   the  following  : 

"  Mrs.  Walton,  I  am  glad  to  sec  you  ;  there  is  a  gentle- 
man hero  from  the  United  States  who  says  the  Lord  sent 
him  to  this  city  to  preach  the  gospel,  lie  has  applied  in 
vain  to  the  clergy  and  to  the  various  authorities  for  oppor- 
tunity to  fulfil  his  mission,  and  is  now  about  to  leave  the 
place.  He  may  be  a  man  of  God;  1  am  sorry  to  have  him 
depart." 

Mrs.  Walton  :  "  Indeed  !  Well,  I  now  understand  the 
feelings  and  spirit  which  brought  me  to  your  house  at  this 
time.  I  have  been  busy  over  the  wash  tub  and  too  weary 
to  take  a  walk  ;  but  I  felt  impressed  to  walk  out.  I 
then  thought  I  would  make  a  call  on  my  sister,  the  other 
side  of  town ;  but  passing  your  door,  the  Spirit  bade  me 
go  in  ;  but  I  said  to  myself,  I  will  go  in  when  I  return  ; 
but  the  Spirit  said :  go  in  now.  I  accordingly  came  in, 
and  I  am  thankfid  that  I  did  so.  Tell  the  stranger  he  is 
welcome  to  my  house.  I  am  a  widow  ;  but  I  have  a  spare 
room  and  bed,  and  food  in  i)lenty.  He  shall  have  a  home 
at  my  house,  and  two  large  rooms  to  preach  in  just  when 
he  pleases.  Tell  him  I  will  send  my  son  John  over  to 
pilot  him  to  my  house,  while  I  go  and  gather  my  relatives 
and  friends  to  come  in  this  very  evening  and  hear  him 
talk  ;  for  I  feel  b}'  the  Spirit  that  he  is  a  man  sent  by 
the  Lord  with  a  message  which  will  do  us  good." 

The  evening  found  Brother  Pratt  quietly  seated  at  her  house, 
in  the  midst  of  a  number  of  listeners,  who  were  seated  around 
a  large  work  table  in  her  parlor,  and  deeply  interested  in 
conversation  like  the  following : 

Friends:     "  Mr.  Pratt,  we  have  for  some  years  been  anxiously 

looking  for  some   provideniial   event  which  would  gather  th« 

sheep  into  one  fold ;    build  up  the  tiue  church   as  in  days 


148      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

of  old,  and  prepare  the  humble  followers  of  the  Lamb,  now 
scattered  and  divided,  to  receive  their  coming  Lord  when  he 
shall  descend  to  reign  on  the  earth.  As  soon  as  Mrs. 
Taylor  spoke  of  you  I  felt  assured,  as  by  a  strange  and 
unaccountable  presentiment,  that  you  were  a  messenger, 
with  important  tidings  on  these  subjects;  and  I  was  con- 
strained to  invite  you  here;  and  now  we  are  all  here  anx- 
iously waiting  to  hear  your  words." 

Pratt :  "  Well,  Mrs.  Walton,  I  will  frankly  relate  to  you  and 
yoiu'  friends  the  particulars  of  my  message  and  the  nature 
of  my  commission.  A  young  man  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  whose  name  is  Joseph  Smith,  was  visited  by  an  an- 
gel of  God,  and,  after  several  visions  and  much  instruction, 
was  enabied  to  obtatu  an  ancient  record,  written  by  men 
of  old  on  the  American  continent,  and  containing  the  his- 
tory, prophecies  and  gospel  in  plainness,  as  revealed  to 
them  by  Jesus  and  his  messengers.  This  same  Joseph 
Smith  and  others,  were  also  commissioned  by  the  angels 
in  these  visions,  and  ordained  to  the  apostleship ;  with  au- 
thority to  organize  the  Church,  to  administer  the  ordinances, 
and  to  ordain  others,  and  thus  cause  the  full,  plain  gos- 
pel in  its  purity  to    be  preached  in  all  the  world. 

"By  these  Apostles  thus  commissioned,  I  have  been  or- 
dained as  an  Apostle,  and  sent  forth  by  the  word  of  pro- 
phecy to  minister  the  baptism  of  repentance  for  remission 
of  suis,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ;  and  to  administer 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  heal  the  sick,  to  comfort 
the  mourner,  bind  up  the  broken  in  heart,  and  proclaim  the 
acceptable  year  of  the  Lord. 

"I  was  also  directed  to  this  city  by  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord,  with  a  promise  that  I  should  find  a  people  here  ])re- 
pared  to  receive  the  gospel,  and  should  organize  them  in 
the  same.  But  when  I  came  and  was  rejected  by  all  par- 
ties, I  was  about  to  leave  the  city;  but  the  Lord  sent 
you,  as  a  widow,  to  receive  me,  as  I  was  about  to  depart: 
and  thus  I  was  provided  for  like  Elijah  of  old.    And  now 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      149 

I  bless  your  house,  and  all  yoiu'  family  and  kindred  in  his 
name.  Tour  sins  shall  be  forgiven  you;  you  shaU  under- 
stand and  obej'  the  gospel,  and  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost; 
for  so  great  faith  have  I  never  seen  in  any  of  my  country." 

Mrs.  Walton:  "Well,  Mr.  Pratt,  this  is  precisely  the  mes- 
sage we  were  waiting  for^  we  believe  your  words  and  are  de- 
sirous to  be  baptized." 

Pratt:  "It  is  your  duty  and  privilege;  but  wait  yet 
a  little  while  tiU  I  have  an  opportimity  to  teach  others, 
with  whom  you  are  religiously  connected,  and  invite  them 
to  partake  with  you  of  the  same  blessings." 

After  conversing  with  these  interesting  ijersons  till  a 
late  hour,  we  retired  to  rest.  Xext  day  Mrs.  Walton  re- 
quested me  to  call  on  a  friend  of  hers,  who  was  also  a 
widow  in  deep  affliction,  being  totally  blind  with  inflamma- 
tion in  the  eyes;  she  had  suffered  extreme  pain  for  several 
months,  and  had  also  been  reduced  to  want,  having  four 
little  children  to  support.  She  had  lost  her  husband,  of 
cholera,  two  years  before,  and  had  sustained  herself  and 
family  by  teachmg  school  until  deprived  of  sight,  since 
which  she  had  been  dependent  on  the  Methodist  society ; 
herself  and  children  being  then  a  public  charge.  Mrs.  Wal- 
ton sent  her  little  daughter  of  twelve  years  old  to  show 
me  the  way.  I  called  on  the  poor  blind  widow  and  help- 
less orphans,  and  found  them  in  a  dark  and  gloomy  apart- 
ment, rendered  more  so  by  having  every  ray  of  light  ob- 
scured to  prevent  its  painfid  effects  on  her  eyes.  I  related 
to  her  the  circumstances  of  my  mission,  and  she  believed 
the  same.  I  laid  my  hands  upon  her  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  said  unto  her,  "  your  eyes  shall  be  well  from 
this  very  hour."  She  threw  off  her  bandages ;  opened  her 
house  to  the  light ;  dressed  herself,  and  walking  with  open 
eyes,  came  to  the  meeting  that  same  evening  at  sister 
Walton's,  with  eyes  as  well  and  as  bright  as  any  other 
person's. 

The  Methodist  society  were  now  reUeved  of  their  burthen 


150      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

in  tbe  person  of  tliis  widovr  and  foui'  orj^hans.  This  re- 
markable miracle  was  soon  noised  abroad,  and  the  poor 
woman's  house  Avas  thronged  from  all  parts  of  the  city  and 
country  with  visitors ;  all  curious  to  witness  for  themselves, 
and  to  inquii'e   of  her  how  her  eyes  were  healed. 

"  How  did  the  man  heal  your  eyes  ?"  "  What  did  he 
do  ? — tell  us,"  were  questions  so  oft  repeated  that  the 
woman,  wearied  of  replying,  came  to  me  for  advice  to  know 
what  she  should  do.  I  advised  her  to  tell  them  that  the 
Liord  had  healed  her,  and  to  give  Him  the  glory,  and  let 
that  suffice.  But  still  they  teased  her  for  jiarticulars. 
'•"What  did  this  man  do?"  ''How  were  your  eyes  opened 
and  made  well  ?" 

"  He  laid  his  hands  upon  my  head  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  rebuked  the  mflammatiou,  and  commanded  them 
to  be  made  whole  and  restored  to  sight;  and  it  was  in- 
stantly' done." 

"  Well,  give  God  the  glory ;  for,  as  to  this  man,  it  is 
well  known  that  he  is  an  imj)OStor,  a  follower  of  Jo- 
Smith,   the  false  prophet." 

"Whether  he  be  an  imposter  or  not,  I  know  not;  but 
this  much  I  know,  whereas  I  was  blind,  now  I  see!  Can 
an  imposter  open  the  eyes  of  the  blind?" 

"Perhaps,  then,  you  intend  to  be  his  disciple,  to  join 
the    ^  Mormoiis  ?■  ^^ 

"He  said  nothing  to  me  about  joining  the  '■Mormons^ 
but  taught  me  the  gospel,  and  bore  testimony  that  God 
had  restored  its  power  to  the  earth.  Would  you  like  to 
be  i^artakers  thereof?  Or  why  do  you  inquire  so  earnest- 
ly about  my  eyes  being  healed?" 

"Oh,  we  are  John  Wesley's  disciples.  We  are  the 
Christian  Church.  We  know  John  Wesley,  but  as  to  this 
man,  we  know  not  whence  he  is." 

"How  is  this  that  you  know  not  whence  he  is,  and  yet 
he  hath  opened  my  eyes  ?  Bid  John  Wesley  open  the 
eyes  of  the  bliud  ?      Can  an  iaij)oster  do  it  ?" 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      151 

"  All,  we  see  how  it  is.  You  are  determined  to  forsake 
the  Cliristiaii  Church,  the  good  okl  way,  for  the  sake  of 
these  fools,  these  weak  imposters — ^tlie  Mormons.  Well, 
farewell.  But  remember,  you  will  have  no  more  support 
from  our  society,  no  more  encouragement  of  any  kindj  ; 
you  shall  not  even  teach  a  school  for  us.  How  then  ^w^V  '■■  ' 
you  live!"  CX\t-.».    '      ,; 'y  . 

Such  contentions  and  discouragement  as  -i^ijBse,  pouried 
into  the  ears  of  a  poor  mother  from  day  to=-day,  together 
Mith  railings,  lyings,  and  various  sophistry  and  slander, 
soon  caused  her  to  waver,  and  like  thousands  of  other  poor, 
weak  mortals,  she  shrank  back  into  the  net  of.  sectarian 
delusion,  and  was  seen  by  the  Saints  no  more.  In  the 
meantime  our  meetings  commenced  at  Mrs.  Walton's.  At 
first  very  few  attended,  but  they  gradually  increased  till 
her  rooms,  and  sometimes  her  yard,  v.  ere  well  fi|Led  with  .; .  '"' 
attentive  hearers.  ^MiXi        ''  ^^i^^ 

Sunday  at  length  arrived,  and,  not  ^vishing  to;-^^1^^0Fr.:^6-^'^..: 
position,  or  to  set  up  a  separate  standard  withj^^-^i^^ej" 
I  appointed  no  meeting,  but  accomj)anied  a  friend  who  in- 
vited me  to  hear  a  preacher  in  a  certain  chapel.  After 
the  discourse,  I  was  introduced  to  the  speaker  by  my 
friend,  who  lli\dted  us  both  to  dine  at  his  house.  After 
much  interesting  conversation,  I  was  invited  to  accompany 
them  to  another  meeting,  held  at  the  residence  of  a  Mr. 
Patrick,  a  wealthy,  aristocratic  gentleman,  who  held  an 
office  in  the  government. 

In  a  large  apartment,  well  furnished,  was  soon  con- 
vened a  selemn,  well  dressed,  and,  apparently,  serious  and 
hiunble  people,  nearly  filling  the  room.  Each  held  a  bible, 
while  Mr.  Patrick  presided  in  their  midst,  with  a  bible  in 
his  hand  and  several  more  lying  on  the  table  before  him. 
With  one  of  these  I  was  soon  fiu-nished,  as  was  any  other 
person  jiresent  who  might  lack  this,  ajiparently,  necessary 
article.  In  this  manner  these  people  had  assembled  twice 
each  week  for  about  two  years,   for  the   professed  purpose 


/>, 


152      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

of  seeking  truth,  independent  of  any  sectarian  organization 
to  which  any  of  them  might  nominally  belong. 

Here  had  assembled  John  Taylor,  his  wife,  Mrs.  Walton 
and  some  others  who  now  knew  me,  although  to  the  pres- 
ident and  most  of  the  congregation  I  was  entirely  unknown, 
and,  from  my  appearance,  was  supposed  to  be  some  farmer 
from  the  country,  who  had  dropped  in  by  invitation. 

Meeting  was  soon  opened  by  singing  and  prayer  in  a 
fervent  manner,  after  which  each  one  was  at  liberty  to 
introduce  such  subject  of  investigation  as  he  might  think 
proper.  John  Taylor  arose,  and  read  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment the  account  of  Philip  going  to  Samaria  and  preach- 
ing the  gospel,  and  what  followed.  Closing  the  book,  he 
remarked  that  the  Samaritans  received  the  Word  with  joy, 
and  were  then  baptized,  both  men  and  women;  after 
which  the  two  Apostles,  Peter  and  John,  came  from  Je- 
rusalem, and  laid  their  hands  on  them  in  the  name  of 
Jesus,  and  x-rayed  that  they  might  receive  the  Holy  Ghost; 
and  they  received  it,  and  spake  with  tongues,  and  j)roph- 
esied.  "  Xow,''  said  he,  "  where  is  our  Philip  ?  Where  is 
our  receiving  the  Word  mth  joy,  and  being  baptized  tchen 
we  heUeved  ?  ^Vhere  is  our  Peter  and  John  ?  Our  apostles  ? 
Where  is  oiu"  Holy  Ghost  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  ? 
Where  are  our  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost?  Echo  answers, 
where  ? 

"  Is  this  the  pattern  of  the  Christian  Church,  the  model 
for  the  organization  in  all  after  times?  If  so,  we,  as  a 
people,  have  not  the  ministry,  the  ordinances,  the  gifts 
which  constitute  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ.  We  are 
told  that  we  were  sprinkled  in  our  infancy,  but  this  was 
not  baptism  ;  and  if  it  was,  we  neither  believed  nor  re- 
joiced at  the  time,  nor  did  we  act  in  the  matter  at  all, 
but  were  acted  uj^on.  How  different  from  the  Samaritans, 
who  were  baptized  when  they  believed,  and  received  the  Word 
ivitli  joy. 

"Again,  Peter  and  John  were  commissioned  as  Apostles, 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      153 

and  tliey  administered  tlie  Holy  Spirit  by  the  laying  on 
of  liands  in  the  name  of  Je.sn.s.  Instead  of  which,  we 
have  had  ministers  commissioned  by  the  King  and  Parlia- 
ment of  England,  or  by  John  Wesley  and  his  successors, 
without  any  pretence  of  a  word  from  the  Lord  or  his 
angels  to  commission  them.  Again,  the  Samaritans  had 
spu-itnal  gifts.  We  have  none,  If,  then,  we  diifer  euP 
tirely  from  the  pattern  in  all  things,  what  claim  have  we, 
or  any  of  the  Christian  world,  to  be  considered  the  Church 
of  Christ?  If  we  are  not  members  of  the  Church  of 
Christ,  wherein  do  we  differ  from  the  heathen,  whom  we 
affect  to  despise  or  pity?  We  even  shudder  for  nations 
or  individuals  grown  up  without  baiitism,  while  at  the 
same  time  it  would  apjiear  that  we  are  all  without  it, — 
that  we  are  all  heathen,  so  far  as  the  Christain  Church 
is  concerned,  as  we  have  not  even  the  shadow  of  anything 
according  to  the  ijattern.  We  cannot  boast  of  even  an 
approach  to  a  base  resemblance  or  counterfeit  What  Hny 
you  to   this,    my  brethren?" 

The  subject  now  opened  gave  rise  to  a  most  candid 
investigation.  Several  spoke  to  the  ])oint.  Some  were  of 
the  opinion  that  the  principles,  being  lost,  were  never  to 
be  restored.  Others  suggested  that  it  was  their  i^rivilege 
to  pray  that  the  heavens  might  be  opened  and  men  com- 
missioned by  new  revelation.  Others,  again,  hinted  that 
the  Lord  might,  perhaps,  have  commissioned  men  already 
in  some  part  of  the  world  ;  and,  if  so,  why  not  pray 
that  he  would  send  them  to  us. 

Nothing  definite  was  concluded  on  when  the  old  preacher 
who  invited  me  arose  and  said  :  "  There  is  a  stranger  pre- 
sent who,  perhai)s,  might  wish  to  speak." 

The  chau-man  observed  that  he  was  not  aware  of  the 
presence  of  a  stranger,  but  if  such  was  the  case  he  was  at 
liberty,  as  were  all  persons  in  these  meetings,  to  make 
remarks.  I  arose,  and  observed  that  I  was  a  stranger 
from  the  United  States ;    but  not   a  stranger  to  the  great 


154      AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

principles  under  investigation  in  this  meeting.  I  was  pre- 
pared to  speak  on  the  subject  at  some  length  5  but  should 
not  do  so  then,  as  the  time  had  been  well  occupied  and 
the  people  edified. 

My  credentials  were  then  presented  to  the  meeting 
through  the  chairman,  and  a  special  ai)pointment  given  out 
for  me  at  evening. 

However  they  might  differ  as  to    the   means  of  restora- 
tion   of    the    Christian    Church,    certain    it    is    that    they 
ai^peared   at  the  close  to  unite,  with  one  voice,  in  acknow- 
ledgment of  their  destitution.       "  O  Lord,"   said  the  chai&w^ 
man,    in    his    closing    prayer,    ''  we    have    neither    apostles,   i 
visions,   angels,    revelations,   gifts,    tongues,    ordinances,  nor   | 
a  Christian  ministry  ;    we  acknowledge  that  we    are   desti- 
tute of  everything  like  the  pattern  of  the  true  Church,  as 
laid    down   in  thy  holy  Word,   and  we  pray  thee  to  send 
whom  thou  wilt."    At  this  all  seemed  to  say  Amen,  while 
tears  and  sobs  attested  their  sincerity.  


CHAPTER     XYIII. 

Crowded  Meeting: — Discourse: — Baptize  tlie  People  and  Organize  a  Church: 
— Spread  of  the  Work  : — First  Visit  to  the  Country  : — Opposition  : — 
Remarkable  Success  : — Return  to  Kirtland  : — Return  with  my  "Wife  to 
Toronto  : — Meetings  at  Mr.  Lamphere's  : — A  Woman  Healed  and  Evil 
Spirits  Rebuked  : — Mr.  Lamareux  : — A  Meeting  : — A  Challenge  : — Discus- 
sion Held  in  the  Open  Air  : — Great  Crowd  : — Opening  Propositions  by 
Elder  0.  Hyde  : — Result  of  the  Discussion. 

IN  the  evening',  Mr.  Patrick's  large  rooms  were  crowded 
to  excess  with  anxious  listeners.  I  then  addressed 
them  on  the  snbject  they  lunl  been  investigating.  The 
following  is  an  ontline  of  the  discourse,  which  occui)ied 
from  two  to   three  hours  : 

"  Friends,  I  am  aware  that  the  snbject  now  imder  con- 
sideration is  one  of  the  most  ^ital  importance  to  the 
Christian  world,  and,  though  it  may  seem  to  be  new  to 
most  persons,  it  is  familiar  to  me.  I  have  traced  it  in  all 
its  bearings,  weighed  it  in  every  possible  light,  and  am  pre- 
I)ared  to  impart  to  others  that  winch,  I  trust,  ^^i\l  satisfy 
and  enlighten  the  inquiring  mind. 

"  It  appears  from  our  text,  as  well  as  from  the  general 
tenor  of  the  New  Testament,  that  certain  definite  princii)les 
existed,  which,  acted  upon  and  enjoyed,  constituted  the 
Christian  Church,  or  body  of  Christ,  viz.  : 

"  First.  An  inspired  priesthood  or  apostleship,  authorized 
to  administer  salvation  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 

"  Second.  Faith  in  their  words  and  testimony,  on  the 
I)art  of  those  who  heard  them. 

"  Third.    Reformation  of  life. 

"  Fourth.    Obedience    to    certain    ordinances,    as    baptism 


15G      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  the  laying  on  of  liands  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  in 


order  f(P1fi&^'!remission  of  sins  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

"  Fifth.  The  spiritual  gifts  imparted  to  the  body  thus 
organized,  in  order  to  its  edification,  growth  and  perfection. 

"It  may  be  i^resumed  that  every  jiortion  of  the  pro- 
fessed Christian  Church,  without  any  exception — I  mean 
those  who  admit  the  Scriptures  to  be  a  record  of  things 
as  they  existed — will  readily  agTee,  that  the  five  principles 
just  named  did  exist,  and  did  constitute  the  Christian 
Church  or  body  of  Christ.  This,  then,  constitutes  the 
model  or  pattern  of  the  object  of  our  jjresent  search. 

"  We  have  only  to  comjiare  modern  pretences  with  this 
ancient  model,  in  order  to  judge  of  them  at  once.  Either 
the  same  i)rincij)les  would  be  required  to  constitute  the 
body  of  Christ  in  all  succeeding  ages,  or  else  the  New 
Testament  must  cease  to  be  a  standard,  and  be  superseded 
by  a  dispensation  of  later  origin  ;  claiming  power  to  nul- 
lify or  make  void  the  dispensation  of  Jesus  Christ  and  his 
Apostles,  and  to  introduce  another  order  of  things  in  its 
stead. 

"  This  last  alternative  none  are  so  bold  as  to  claim.  All 
agree  that  the  gospel  was  a  perfect  system,  an  unchange- 
able and  everlasting  covenant,  never  to  be  changed  or 
altered  by  the  Lord,  and  only  perverted  or  altered  by  man 
under  a  severe  i^enalty — a  dreadfid  anathema.  In  physical 
matters  men  are  not  easily  deceived  or  duped ;  for  in- 
stance, a  man  sees  or  hears  an  exact  description  of  a 
human  body  as  existing  in  the  days  of  Socrates  or  Plato; 
it  has  head,  eyes,  ears,  mouth,  arms,  hands,  legs,  feet, 
etc.  Can  an  imposter  impose  upon  that  man  in  this  age? 
Can  he  introduce  a  wild  beast,  a  fowl,  a  serpent,  a  man 
dismembered  of  his  head,  eyes,  ears,  hands,  or  feet  ? 
Could  he  pass  any  of  these  upon  his  fellow  men  as  con- 
stituting the  human  body  ;  the  model  or  jiattern  answering 
to  the  former  description  ?      Xo,  he  could  not.     He  would 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      157 

be  considered  out  of  his  senses,  and  would  be  laughed  to 
scorn  for  attempting  such   a  thing. 

"Why,  then,  are  "we  at  a  loss  in  judging  of  the  various 
systems  which,  in  modern  times,  claim  to  be  the  church  of 
Christ?  Why  do  ^ye  not  compare  them  with  the  model, 
and  reject  or  receive  at  once !  Perhajis  you  will  say  that 
such  a  coui'se  leads  to  consequences  and  conclusions  so 
awful,  that  it  opens  truths  so  unwelcome,  that  it  is  na- 
tural to  shrink  from  the  view;  and,  like  the  ostrich  in  the 
desert,  when  jjursued  too  closely,  hides  the  head  and  eyes 
in  a  false  covering,  while  the  body  is  exposed  to  certain 
destruction. 

"  Says  one,  '  if  the  ancient  model  or  pattern  is  the  stand- 
ard, then  the  veil  of  modern  Christendom  is  thrown  off, 
and  the  entire  world  unchristianized — for  we  no  where  And 
such  a  pattern.'  Well,  admit  then  that  there  is  no  Christ- 
ian church  in  existence  among  men,  and  that  there  has  not 
been  for  many  ages.  What  then !  is  it  a  truth  ?  If  so, 
truth  will  not  harm  anybody.  If  the  whole  world  has  been 
for  ages  wrapped  in  mystery  and  deception,  is  it  not  bet- 
ter to  find  it  out  now  than  to  continue  in  ignorance  until 
Jesus  reveals  it  at  the  judgment  day,  and  sinks  us  in  a 
moment  from  the  highest  pinnacle  of  hope  and  expectation 
to  despair,  rendered  a  thousand-fold  more  painful  by  a  sud- 
den reverse  ! 

"But  suppose,  on  opening  our  eyes  to  this  great  discov- 
ery, we  search  and  find  our  observations  and  conclu-ions 
warranted  by  the  whole  tenor  of  prophetic  writ  ?  Suppose 
Jesus  Christ  and  his  Apostles  and  prophets  aU  agree  in 
bearing  testimony,  and  foretelling  the  very  order  of  things 
which  we  find  to  exist ;  also,  its  final  end  or  termination, 
and  the  restoration  of  his  Church  and  the  reign  of  his 
Saints  ?  Would  not  our  own  observations  of  what  actually 
exists,  confirmed  by  the  prophetic  declarations  of  such  a 
host  of  witnesses,  all  testifying  that  it  would  be  so,  be  a 
double  assurance  that  we  had  opened  our  eyes  to  a  snare 


158      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

in  time  to  escape,  and  canse  ns  to  leap  forward  ^^itll  a 
thrill   of  joy  and   faith   to  that  which   is   to   come  ! 

"  We  could  then  exclaim,  in  viewing  the  trumpery,  p(^mp, 
splendor  and  greatness  of  Catholicism,  or  the  scarcely  less 
false  and  glaring  systems  of  absurdity  and  j^riestcraft  un- 
der the  name  of  Protestantism,  in  their  various  forms, 
O,  thou  mystery  of  iniquity!  thou  art  at  last  revealed, 
thou  who  d^ceivest  all  nations  with  thy  sorcerj-,  and  with 
whom  the  kings  of  the  earth  and  the  nobles  and  great 
men  haA^e  committed  fornication,  and  lived  deliciously ;  thy 
covering  is  removed,  and  tlie  jieoijle  shall  see  thy  naked- 
ness and  abhor  thee  5  and  many  shall  be  ready  when  the 
proclamation  is   made,    '  Come  out  of  Jier,  my  people.^ 

"But  suppose,  on  the  other  hand,  we  shut  our  eyes  to 
these  truths,  and  hug  to  our  bosoms  those  systems  of 
falsehood  and  error,  which  claim  to  be  of  Christ,  but  are 
uotf  The  result  will  be  a  continuance  on  our  part  to 
build  up  that  which  the  Lord  purposes  in  due  time  to 
tear  doAvn,  and  to  oppose  that  which  t\ni  Lord  will  send 
into  the  world  to  accomplish  his  purposes.  We  would  in 
this  case  be  his  enemies,  and  be  found  lighting  against 
him. 

"  Let  us  look  at  the  Jews  in  the  glass  of  prophecy. 
Our  own  dear  selves  not  being  in  the  scale,  perhaps  we 
can  the  more  readily  discern  the  e(iuity  of  the  balance, 
and  afterwards  venture  to  be  weighed  in  the  same,  even 
though  both  Jew  and   Gentile   should  be  found  wanting. 

"  For  nearly  two  thousand  years  we  behold  the  Jews 
without  a  prophet,  inspired  priest,  king,  ruler  or  teacher, 
to  lead  them  to  light,  to  freedom,  or  to  God.  ZSTo  A'oice 
from  the  bui-ning  bush;  ]io  thunderings  upon  Sinai;  no 
still  small  A'oice  whisperhig  of  right  and  salvation;  no  call 
from  the  eternal  throne ;  no  -vision,  angel  or  dream  to  light 
them  on  their  pathway,  as  tliey  wander  and  are  oi)pressed 
amid  the  darkness  of  Gentile  dominion.  Their  temple  is  in 
ruins;   their  sacrifices  have  ceased;   their  jmesthood  is  pow- 


AUTOBIOGBAPHY     OF     TAKLEY     1\     PiiATT.  159 

erless ;  while  llieir  Aeiy  city  and  c-oimtry  is  desolate,  or 
trodden  under  foot.  We  say  to  the  Jew,  why  all  this  ?  Is 
it  not  possible  that  yonr  fathers  have  rejected  the  Messiah 
and  lii .  holy  Apostles  and  prophets;  and  these  things  been 
withheld  from  them  in  the  auger  of  the  Almighty  *  O, 
no,  says  the  Jew,  we  are  the  true  church  and  people  of 
God;  revelations,  prophets,  A-isions,  angels  and  gifts  were 
only  given  at  iirst  to  establish  the  church  of  Israel,  and 
the  canon  of  Scripture  being  complete,  there  was  no  further 
need  of  these  things ;    therefore,  they  ceased. 

"Xow,  you  knoAV  that  this  Jew  is  mistaken.  You  j)ity 
him.  You  wonder  at  his  ignorance.  You  know  that  Avhen 
in  the  days  of  Samuel's  childhood  there  was  no  open  vis- 
ion from  the  Lord;  it  was  because  the  priesthood,  the 
proper  communication  between  God  and  the  people,  was  in 
transgression.  The  priests  of  the  house  of  Eli  were  rob- 
bing tlie  sacrifices  for  theii"  own  aggrandizement ;  and  were 
committing  whoredoms  with  the  ^ery  women  who  came 
there  to  worship.  You  also  know  that  v.heu  King  Saul  was 
no  longer  favored  Avith  reA'elation,  Avhen  the  heaA'ens  were 
shut  against  him,  and  the  Lord  answered  him  not,  neither 
by  Aision,  angel,  dream,  L^rim  and  Thunuuim,  nor  prophet; 
it  was  because  the  Lord  had  forsaken  liim  and  had  rent 
the  kingdom  from  him,  and  had  gi\x'n  it  to  DaAid,  doom- 
ing him  to  destruction,  and  Avithdrawing  His  spirit  from 
him,  abandoning  him  to  a  spirit  of  mmxler  and  persecu- 
tion toAvards  the  chosen  instruments  of  the  Almighty. 
You  also  know  that,  AA'hen,  before  Christ,  these  gifts  had 
ceased  in  the  Jewish  church  (say  from  Malachi  to  John 
the  Bai)tist),  there  were  a  multitude  of  sects,  none  of  ^\-hich 
were  right.  All  had  to  come  on  a  IcA'el  and  repent,  and 
be  baptized  by  John,  hi  order  to  prepare  the  Avay  of  the 
Lord. 

"You  also  knoAV  that  the  Jews  were  no  longer  favored 
with  apostles  and  inspired  men  after  they  had  rejected 
Christ   and  his  Aiiostles,    because  they  Avere  rejected  of  the 


160       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Lord ;  and  the  kingdom,  according-  to  the  words  of  Jesus, 
was  taken  from  them  and  given  to  a  people  who  should 
bring  forth  the  fruits  of  the  same.  You  also  know  that  the 
reason  why  a  Jew  to  this  day  is  without  these  things  is,  be- 
cause his  fathers,  eighteen  liimdred  years  ago,  rejected  them. 

"  But  the  Jew  knows  none  of  these  things.  He  is 
blinded  with  the  A^ain  and  delusive-  thought  that  his  race, 
being  the  chosen  of  the  Lord,  must  forever  remain  in 
favor,  whether  they  do  iniquity  or  not.  /  Why  !  exclaims 
the  Jew,  we  dare  not  for  a  moment '  look  at  things  in 
the  light  you  suggest ;  it  Avould  disfranchise  the  whole 
nation  for  eighteen  centuries,  and  count  them  as  aliens 
from  tlie  covenant  of  their  fathers,  and  from  the  common- 
wealth of  Israel.  Well,  Avhat  if  it  does  ?  Is  it  not  bet- 
ter for  them  to  know  the   worst  in  time    to  mend  ! 

"■  Inow,  let  us  turn  to  the  Gentile  church.  They,  by 
the  ministration  of  the  Apostles,  received  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  enjoyed  its  fruits.  The  natm^;il  branches  were 
broken  off,  and  they  were  grafted  in  5  '  take  heed,'  says 
Paul,  '  for  if  God  spared  not  the  natural  branches,  take 
lieed,  lest  he  spare  not  thee.' 

"  A^Tieu  the  Gentile  church  received  the  kingdom,  and 
became  such,  they  were  everywhere  blessed  with  the  min- 
istry of  inspired  men,  and  were  favored  with  revelations, 
visions,  angels  and  prophets,  as  the  I^ew  Testament  bears 
witness.  What  became  of  these  things?  Under  what 
circumstances,  and  in  fuMbnent  of  what  Scriptures  did 
they  cease  from    among  the    Gentiles  f 

"  The  prophet  Daniel  had  foretold  of  the  several  powers 
which  would  arise  and  bear  rule  in  the  earth.  But  the 
Roman,  the  most  terrible  power  of  aU,  should  '  destroy  the 
mighty  and  the  holy  peopled  This  i)Ower  should  change 
the  times  and  the  laws,  and  wear  out  the  Saints  of  the 
Most  High,  until  the  end,  when  the  Saints  should  take 
the  Idngdom  under  the  Avholc  Heaven,  and  possess  it. 
Such  in  substance  is  Daniel's  testimony. 


AUTOBIOCiRAPHY     OP     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  161 

"  John,  ill  his  revelations,  bears  the  same  testimony.  He 
pretlicts  tliat  a  certain  power  under  the  figiire  of  a  woman 
upon  a  beast,  T\ith  Mystery  written  upon  her  forehead, 
should  have  dominion  among  all  nations  ;  have  to  do  with 
all  kings  ;  and  that  all  nations  should  be  deceived  by 
her,  and  their  kings  live  deliciously  with  her,  while  she 
would  be  drunken  with  the  blood  of  the  saints  and  Avith 
the  blood  of  the  martyrs  of  Jesus. 

"Paul  also  predicts  a  time  when  men  '■tcould  not  endure 
sound  doctrine^  hut  would  turn  away  their  ears  from  the 
truth,  and  he  turned  unto  fables,  heaping  to  themselves,  teach- 
ers.^ That  they  would  '  have  a  form  of  godliness  and  deny 
the  power.  Paul  also  bears  testimony  that  the  Gentiles, 
if  they  abide  not  in  faith,  shall  meet  with  a  similar  fall 
as  did  the  Jews. 

"  Jesus  Clirist  speaks  of  a  time  when  the  times  of  the 
Gentiles  shall  be  fulfilled  :  their  dominion  come  to  an  end 
with  great  judgment,  and  Jerusalem  no  longer  be  trodden 
under  foot  by  them. 

"  Now  the  summary    of  these  things  is  this  : 

"  The  Gentiles  killed  the  Apostles  and  inspired    men. 

"  The  Gentiles  ceased  to  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  the 
kingdom. 

"  The  Gentiles  became  drunken  with  the  blood  of  the 
leaints. 

"  The  Gentiles   destroyed  the  mighty  and  the  holy  people. 

"  The  Gentiles  changed  the  times,  and  laws,  and  ordi- 
nances of   God. 

"  The  Gentiles  turned  away  their  ears  from  the  truth, 
and  were  turned  unto    fables. 

"  The  Gentiles  woidd  not  endure  sound  doctrine,  but 
heaped  to  themselves  teachers. 

"  The  Gentiles  maintained  a  form  of  godliness  ^rithout 
its  miracles  and   powers. 

"The  Gentiles  were  ^  full  of  names  of  hlaspliemy,''  and  mys- 
tery was  written  as  a  frontispiece  on  all  their  institutions. 

11 


163      AUTOBIOanAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

"  The  Gentiles  deceived  all  nations,  and  drew  kings  and 
great  men  into  the  wake  of  their  mysterious  abominations 
and  religious  mummeries. 

"  The  Gentiles  continue  to  bear  rule  by  these  means 
tiU  the  judgments  of  the  Almighty  sweep  them  from  the 
earth,  and  put  an  end  to  their  dominion ;  and  God  re- 
stores Israel  and  Jerusalem,  and  gives  the  dominion  to 
his   Saints. 

"  How  often  the  Lord  may  have  restored  the  ijriesthood 
and  ordinances,  the  true  Church  and  its  gifts  to  the  earth, 
among  the  humble,  is  not  known.  But  this  much  we  know, 
there  would  be  no  peace  nor  security  for  men  professing 
such  institutions  ;  they  would  be  either  hunted  down  and 
destroyed,  or  driven  to  the  necessity  of  secluding  them- 
selves in  the  most  secret  recesses,  where  their  history 
would  never  come  down  to  us.  As  Protestants,  we  can 
make  no  i^retences  to  a  successive  liae  of  apostleshij) ;  for 
this  would  imply  that  we  were  never  Eoman  Catholics ; 
therefore,  what  need  of  protestation  or  dissent  from  that 
to  which  we  never  had  belonged  ?  Nothing  short  of  a 
new  dispensation — a  new  revelation  to  commission  apostles 
as  at  the  first,  could  give  any  religious  body  a  claim,  or 
a  shadow  of  claim,  to  be  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  or 
entitle  them  to  the  spiritual   gifts. 

"  Such,  my  friends,  is  the  de^Dlorable  picture  of  Gentile 
Christianity  as  presented  before  us,  whether  we  look 
with  the  naked  eye  on  facts  around  us,  or,  aided  by  the 
glass  of  prophecy  and  history,  review  the  dim  vista  of 
successive  generations  in  the  mighty  past.  Yet  in  the 
midst  of  the  reign  of  error  and  blood  there  have  always 
l)een  many  individuals  who  desired  to  ]i:now  and  serve  the 
Lord.  They  have  desired  to  see  the  triumph  of  trtith; 
but  the  time  had  not  come ;  they  died  without  the  sight ; 
but  they  will  arise  again  to  enjoy  the  triumph  ;  they  with 
us  will  rejoice  when  error  is  overthroA^^l  and  the  Saints 
possess  the  kingdom. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      163 

"  I  have  now  reTie\re<l  the  j>ast,  my  friends,  and  have 
shoM'n  by  what  means  the  Jews  and  Gentiles  have  lost 
the  peculiar  blessings  Avhich  characterize  the  Church  of 
God.  I  have  detained  you  long,  and  am,  as  yet,  only 
on  the  threshold  of  the  great  subject  before  me.  In  an- 
other discourse  I  might  draw  a  brighter  picture  by  set- 
ting before  you  the  great  and  precious  promises  which  en- 
sure to  the  world  a  new  dispensation,  in  which  all  these 
things  Avill  be  restored,  and  the  Church  of  the  Saints 
gTow,   flourish   and  triumijh  in  the  earth. 

"  I  must  now  close  by  blessing  this  people  who  have 
opened  their  hearts  to  listen  with  such  attention.  May 
the  blessings  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  his  spirit  rest 
upon  you,  that  you  may  receive  and  know  the  truth. 
Amen." 

As  I  finished  speaking  the  unanimous  voice  was  for 
another  meeting,  which  was  finally  given  out  for  the  next 
evening. 

Evening  came   again.     Crowds   assembled. 

I  then  went  into  detail  with  a  chain  of  prophecy, 
beginning  with  Moses  and  the  prophets,  and  ending  with 
John's  revelation ;  showing  tbat  the  latter-day  glory  was 
to  be  ushered  in  by  a  new  dispensation  revealed  from 
heaven ;  by  the  ministration  of  angels,  and  sustained  by 
the  marvellous  power  and  gifts  of  God ;  till  it  residted 
in  the  overthrow  of  all  mystery,  darkness,  ignorance  and 
cornijition,  and  the  ushering  in  of  the  imiversal  reign  of 
peace  and  truth. 

This  prophetic  review  occupied  some  two  or  three  houis 
more.  I  then  closed  by  sajing  that  had  I  time  I  would 
give  them  the  details  of  the  commencement  of  this  res- 
toration by  a  new  dispensation  revealed  from  the  heavens 
by  the  angels  of  God,  and  in  exact  and  detailed  fulfil- 
ment of  some  of  the  prophecies  which  I  had  been  review- 
ing. All  cried  out  for  another  meeting,  which  was  aj^pointed 
for  the   next   night. 


l(>i      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Ill  the  third  eveniug  I  related  the  visions,  nianifestations 
and  many  of  the  details  of  the  organization  and  move- 
ments of   the  Church  of   the   Saints. 

The  truth  was  now  plauily  before  this  people,  who  had 
been  in  so  wonderful  a  manner  prepared  for  its  reception, 
as  predicted  by  brother  Kimball  on  my  head  before  leav- 
ing home.  The  man  of  the  house  now  rejected  me,  and 
the  meeting  of  seekers  after  truth  left  his  house,  and 
came  and  were  baptized,  and  held  their  meetings  at  the 
house  of  the  widow  Walton,  who  had  received  me,  and 
who  was  now  baptized  with  all  her  household,  who  were 
of   sufficient  age  to  receive  the  gospel. 

John  Taylor  and  his  wife,  whose  house  I  first  entered 
in  Toronto,  were  also  baptized.  He  soon  became  an  as- 
sistant in  the  ministry.  This  is  that  same  John  Taylor 
who  is  now  one  of   the  Twelve  Apostles. 

The  work   soon   spread  into  the  country  and  enlarged  its 
operations    in    all    that    region;    m^iny  were    gathered   into 
the  Church,  and  were  filled  with  faith  and  love,   and  with 
the    Holy  Spu:it,   and    the    Lord  confirmed   the  Word  with 
signs  following.     My  first  visit    to    the  country   was   about 
nine    miles  from  Toronto,   among    a    settlement  of   farmers, 
by  one  of   whom    I  had  sent  an    appoiatment    beforehand. 
John    Tavlor    accompanied    me— this    was    before    he    was 
l)aptized— we    rode    on    horseback.      We    called    at    a    Mr. 
Joseph   Fielding's,   an  acquaintance  and  friend  of  Mr.  Tay- 
lor's.    This  man  had  two   sisters,   yomig  ladies,  who   seeing 
us  coming  ran   from   their    house    to  one  of   the  neighbor- 
ing  houses,   lest    they  should    give  welcome,   or    give  coun- 
tenance to  ''Mormonism:'    Mr.    Fielding   stayed,    and   as   we 
entered    the    house    he    said    he  was    sorry  we    had    come, 
he  had  opposed  om-  holding  meeting  in  the  neighborhood; 
and,  so  great  was  the  prejudice,  that    the  Methodist  meet- 
ing'house  was  closed  against  us,  and  the  luinister  refused, 
on"  Sunday,  to  give  out  the  appointment  sent  by  the  farmer. 
"  Ah !"    said  I,   "  why    do   they  oppose  Mormonism !"     "  I 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      165 

don't  kno^',"  said  lie,  "  but  the  name  lias  such  a  con- 
temptible sound ;  and,  another  thing,  we  do  not  want 
a  now  revelation,  or  a  new  religion  contrary  to  the  Bible." 
"  Oh !'  said  I,  "  if  that  is  all  we  shall  soon  remove  your 
prejudit'os.  Come,  call  home  your  sisters,  and  let's  have 
some  supper.  Bid  you  say  the  appointment  was  not  given 
out!"  "I  said,  sir,  that  it  was  not  given  out  in  the 
meeting  house,  nor  by  the  minister  j  but  the  farmer  by 
whom  you  sent  it  agTeed  to  have  it  at  his  house."  "Come 
then,  send  for  your  sisters,  we  will  take  supper  with  you, 
and  all  go  over  to  meeting  together.  If  you  and  your 
sisters  will  agree  to  this,  I  will  agree  to  preach  the  old 
Bible  gospel,  and  leave  out  all  new  revelations  which  are 
opposed  to  it." 

The  honest  man  consented.  The  young  ladies  came  home, 
got  us  a  good  supper,  and  all  went  to  meeting.  The  house 
was  crowded ;  I  preached,  and  the  peo;)ie  wished  to  hear 
more.  The  meeting  house  was  opened  for  fmther  ineetings, 
and  in  a  few  days  we  baptized  brother  Joseph  Fielding 
and  his  two  amiable  and  intelligent  sisters,  for  such  they 
proved  to  be  in  an  eminent  degree.  We  also  baptized 
many  others  in  that  neighborhood,  and  organized  a  branch 
of  the  Church,  for  the  people  there  drank  in  tnith  as 
water,  and  loved  it  as  they  loved  life. 

After  ministering  in  and  about  Toronto  for  about  two 
months  I  found  it  necessary  to  return  home,  as  sorae  of  my 
debts  were  pressing,  and  we  needed  a  supply  of  our  printed 
works  to  circulate  among  the  i>eople.  I  accordingly  gave 
out  word,  in  a  meeting  in  Toronto  one  Sunday  evening, 
that  I  should  take  boat  for  home  next  morning.  Xow  all 
this  time  I  had  asked  no  man  for  money,  nor  had  I  ex- 
jjlained  my  circumstances.  However,  on  shaking  hands  at 
the  close  of  the  next  meeting,  several  bank  ^bdls  were 
secretly  shaken  into  my  hands,  amounting  in  all  to  several 
hundred  dollars — including  subscriptions  for  l)ooks,  periodi- 
cals, etc.    I  thanked  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  for  the  fullilmeut 


166  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

of  tlie  first  instalment  of  brotlier  Ivimball's  prophecy,  and 
went  on  my  way  rejoicing.  On  my  arrival  in  Kirtland  I 
was  enabled  to  meet  my  most  urgent  debts,  and  to  get 
time  on   the  remainder. 

I  fonnd  my  ^ife  bad  been  bealed  of  her  seven  years' 
iUness  from  the  time  brother  KimbaU  had  mmistered  unto 
her,  and  I  began  to  realize  more  fidly  that  every  word  of 
his  blessing  and  prophecy  upon  my  head  would  surely 
come  to  pass.  After  a  pleasant  visit  with  the  Saints,  I 
took  my  ^sife  Avith  me  and  returned  again  to  Toronto,  in 
June,  1830. 

The  work  I    had  commenced   was   stUl  spreadmg  its  in- 
fluence,  and    the  Saints  were  still    increasing  in  faith  and 
love,    in   joy    and    in    good    works.       There    were    visions, 
prophecyiiigs,    speaking    in    tongues    and  healings,  as  weU 
as  the  casthig  out  of  devils   and  miclean  spirits.      One  re- 
markable circumstance,  among  many,  I  will  relate  in  detad : 
There  was  living  within  a  short  day's  journey  of  Toronto, 
in    a    certam  neighborhood  where  I  ministered    every  two 
weeks    (for    the    circuit    of    my    labors    had  now  so  much 
enlarged  that  I    had  to  travel  continually  from  branch  to 
branch   and  neighborhood   to   neighborhood),  a  man  named 
Lamphere,  who    Avas    noted    for    being  the  most  irreligious 
man    in    all    the   country;   he  and  the  family  were  hardly 
ever    known    to    attend    a    religious    meeting;   they    Avould 
work  on  the  Sabbath,   and    swear,   curse,   etc.       This  man 
and    his    family    were    so    Avrought  upon  by  the  power  of 
truth  that    he  opened  his  house  for- stated  meetings,  which 
I    held    there    regularly    every    two    weeks.      He  and    the 
family    always    entertained    me    ^ith    every    kindness  and 
every    demonstration    of   hospitality    in  then'  poNver.      The 
people    of   the    neighborhood    always    turned    out    to  hear, 
and  seemed    to  receive  the  Word  with  faith  and   joy,  but 
as    yet    none    of  them    had    been    baptized,   or  joined  the 
Church    of   the    Saints.      All    noticed    the    change    in  the 
Lamphere  family,  and  aU  rejoiced,  and  even  marvelled  at 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      167 

SO  sudden  a  reformation  in  a  family  so  gospel  hardened^  as 
tliey  called  it,  tliougli  in  truth  none  of  them  had  ever 
heard  the  gospel  in  its  power  and  fulness  till  my  visits 
commenced  there. 

I^ow  there  was  living  m  that  neighborhood  a  young  man 
and  his  wife,  named  Whitney  j  he  was  a  blacksmith  by 
trade ;  their  residence  was  perhaps  a  mile  or  more  from 
this  Lamphere's,  where  I  held  my  semi-monthly  meetings. 
His  wife  was  taken  down  very  suddenly  about  that  time 
with  a  strange  affliction.  She  would  be  prostrated  by  some 
power  m^isible  to  those  about  her,  and,  in  an  agony  of  dis- 
tress indescribable,  she  would  be  drawn  and  twisted  in 
every  bulb  and  joint,  and  would  almost,  in  fact,  be  i^ulled 
out  of  joint.  Sometimes,  when  thrown  on  to  the  bed,  and 
while  four  or  five  stout  men  were  endeavoring  to  hold  her, 
she  would  be  so  drawn  out  of  all  shape  as  to  only  touch 
the  bed  with  her  heels  and  the  back  part  of  her  head.  She 
would  be  bruised,  cramjied  and  pinched,  while  she  would 
groan,  scream,  froth  at  the  mouth,  etc.  She  often  cried 
out  that  she  could  see  two  devils  in  human  form,  who 
were  thus  operating  upon  her,  and  that  she  could  hear 
them  talk;  but,  as  the  bystanders  coidd  not  see  them, 
but  only  see  the  effects,  they  did  not  know  what  to  think 
or  how  to  understand. 

She  would  have  one  of  these  spells  once  in  about 
twenty-four  hours,  and  when  a  period  of  these  spells  were 
over  she  would  lie  in  bed  so  lame,  and  bruised,  and 
sore,  and  helx^less  that  she  could  not  rise  alone,  or  even 
sit  up,  for  some  weeks.  AM  this  time  she  had  to  have 
watchers  both  night  and  day,  and  sometimes  four  and  five 
at  a  time,  insomuch  that  the  neighbors  were  worn  out 
and  weary  with  watchiug.  1\lv.  Whitney  sent  for  me  two 
or  three  times,  or  left  word  for  me  to  call  next  tune  I 
visited  the  neighborhood.  This,  however,  I  had  neglect- 
ed to  do,  owing  to  the  extreme  pressure  of  labors  upon 
me    in?    so    large  a  circuit  of  meetings — indeed,   I  had  not 


1G8       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

a  moment  to  sj)are.  At  last,  as  I  came  romid  on  the 
circuit  again,  the  woman,  who  had  often  requested  to  see 
the  man  of  God,  that  he  ndght  miiiister  to  her  relief,  de- 
clared she  would  see  him  any  how,  for  she  knew  she 
could  be  healed  if  she  could  but  get  sight  of  him.  In 
her  agony  she  sprang  from  her  bed,  cleared  herself  from 
her  frightened  husband  and  others,  who  were  trying  to 
hold  her,  and  ran  for  Mr.  Lamphere's,  where  I  was  then 
holding  meeting.  At  first,  to  use  her  own  words,  she 
felt  very  weak,  and  nearly  fainted,  but  her  strength  came 
to  her,  and  increased  at  every  step  till  she  reached  the 
meeting.  Her  friends  were  all  astonished,  and  in  alarm, 
lest  she  should  die  in  the  attempt,  tried  to  pursue  her, 
and  they  several  times  laid  hold  of  her  and  tried  to  force 
or  jjersuade  her  back.  "No,''  said  she,  "let  me  see  the 
man  of  God  5  I  can  but  die,  and  I  cannot  endure  such 
affliction  any  longer."  On  she  came,  until  at  last  they 
gave  up,  and  said,  "Let  her  go,  jjerhaps  it  will  be  ac- 
cording to  her  faith."  So  she  came,  and  when  the  thing 
was  explained  the  eyes  of  the  whole  multitude  were  upon 
her.  I  ceased  to  j^reach,  and,  stepping  to  her  in  the 
presence  of  the  whole  meetiag,  I  laid  my  hands  upon  her 
and  said,  "Sister,  be  of  good  cheer,  thy  sins  are  forgiven, 
thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole;  and,  ui  the  name  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  I  rebuke  the  devils  and  unclean  spirits,  and 
command  them  to  trouble  thee  no  more."  She  returned 
home  well,  went  about  her  housekeeping,  and  remained 
Well  from  that  time  forth. 

Her  neighbors  watched  to  see  if  the  trouble  would  re- 
turn upon  her,  but,  after  a  few  da3^s  they  gave  up  all 
their  fears,  and  gave  giorj-  to  God,  saying  that  the  an- 
cient gospel  had  truly  been  restored. 

About  seven  miles  from  this  place  lived  a  merchant  by 
the  name  of  Lamareux,  who  was  a  man  of  extended 
thought  and  general  information  5  he  sometimes  jjreached 
or    lectured    to    the    people.        This    man,    on    hearing    the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      169 

strange  reports  of  what  was  going  on,  sent  for  me.  I 
visited  liini  on  a  day  appointed;  lie  liad  sliut  up  liis  store, 
suspended  all  business,  dressed  in  Ms  best,  and  prepared 
a  dinner,  wliile  at  tbc  same  time  a  general  meeting  of 
tlie  people  was  convening  in  Ms  large  bam.  He  re- 
ceived us  cordially,  and  after  dinner  accompamed  us  to 
the  barn,  wbere  there  was,  indeed,  a  crowd  of  some  hun- 
dreds of  anxious  hsteners.  We  preached;  after  wMch  the 
old  merchant  exclaimed  to  the  meeting,  that  if  tMs  was 
Mormonism  he  was  a  Idormou. 

He  x^i'Gssed  us  to  tarry  a  few  days,  or  rather  go  with 
him,  to  wMch  we  consented.  So,  next  morning  he  fur- 
nished a  horse  and  saddle  for  himself,  and  another  for 
me.  We  mounted— he  leading  the  way.  We  travelled 
through  a  fine  settled  country  of  villages  and  farms,  Avhere 
I  had  never  been  before,  and  where  they  were  strangers 
to  "Mormonism"  and  to  me,  but  well  acquainted  with 
Mm. 

As  we  went,  he  preached,  saying  to  every  man  he  met, 
and  even  crying  aloud  to  those  at  a  distance,  and  as  we 
halted  in  each  little  village  : 

"  Hear  ye,  my  friends,  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  is  re- 
stored again  to  man,  with  the  gospel  in  its  ancient  ful- 
ness and  power.  Turn  out  and  hear  tMs  stranger  who 
is  with  me,  and  do  not  gainsay  him,  for  I  testify"  to  you 
that  the  sick  are  healed,  the  eyes  of  the  blind  are  opened, 
and  devils  are  cast  out  under  Ms  hand  in  the  name  of 
Jesus.  ^\jid  if  you  do  not  believe  it  we  can  give  you 
names  and  particulars,  and  prove  it  by  scores  and  hun- 
dreds of  mtnesses.' 

The  more  I  tried  to  keep  Mm  still  the  more  he  pro- 
claimed these  things. 

Leaving  a  chain  of  appointments,  we  travelled  as  far  as 
Scarborough,  and,  preacMng  there,  we  returned  the  next 
day  and  fdled  the  chain  of  appointments  given  out  the 
day  before.      The  excitement    now  became    general,   and  a 


170      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

very  learned  clergyman,  a  Mr.  Browning,  of  the  Presby- 
terian order— announced  himself  as  the  people's  chosen 
champion  to  meet  us  in  public  debate  and  put  us  down,  or 
receive  our  doctrine,  according  as  truth  might  appear  on 
investigation. 

A  public  discussion  was  at  last  agreed  upon,  to  be  held 
a  few  weeks  thence  in  the  open  air,  as  no  building 
would  hold  the  people.  The  preliminaries  were  as  fol- 
lows : 

The  Bible  to  be  recognized  as  a  standard  of  truth. 

We  were  to  have  the  opening  speech,  in  which  we 
were  to  set  forth  our  principles;  when  the  reverend  gen- 
tleman was  to  have  a  certain  length  of  time  to  reply,  and 
so  on  alternately. 

The  meeting  at  length  came  off.  Thousands  attended, 
and  listened  with  patience.  Elder  O.  Hyde,  who  had  now 
arrived  from  the  States  to  my  assistance,  took  up  the 
matter,  as  I  was  unavoidably  engaged  elsewhere.  A  large 
platform  had  been  erected  for  the  speakers,  and  while 
Elder  Hyde  sat  almost  alone  before  that  vast  assemblage, 
the  reverend  gentleman  had  five  or  six  other  clergymen 
beside  him  as    helps. 

In  the  opening  speech  Elder  Hyde  laid  down  the  follow- 
ing principles,   viz.  : 

A  true  Church  of  Christ  is  composed  of  apostles,  pro- 
phets, elders,  teachers  and  members,  who  have  been  bap- 
tized (immersed)  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  who 
have  received  his  spirit  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  of  his 
apostles,   or  authorized   servants. 

A  true  Church  of  Christ  beUeved  in  visions,  angels, 
spirits,  prophecyings,  revelations,  healings  and  miracles  ol 
every  kind,   as  described  in  the  New  Testament. 

Any  creed  or  religious  body  differing  from  this  Kew 
Testament  pattern  could  not  be  considered  the  Church  of 
Christ,  however  sincere  they  might  be. 

Having  laid  down  these   premises,  he   demanded   ot   his 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  O*'  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.     171 

opponent  a  positive  admission  or  denial  of  tlie  premises, 
before  he  would  allow  himself  to  be  drawn  to  a  second 
question  or  point  of  debate.  This  took  his  opponents  all 
aback ;  they  had  sense  enough  to  see  that  if  they  affirmed 
these  premises  there  was  an  end  of  Presbyterianism,  and 
all  other  sectarian  forms  which  have  set  aside  these 
l)Owers.  On  the  other  hand,  if  they  denied  the  premises 
laid  down  by  Elder  IT.,  it  would  be  denying  the  Bible 
standard,  by  which  both  parties  agreed  to  abide.  For  these 
reasons  the  party  of  the  opposition  utterly  refused  to  either 
affirm  or  deny.  Atterajits  were  made  in  every  possible 
form  to  draw  Elder  H.  to  other  points  of  debate  ;  but  all 
in  vain.  Slanderous  reports  from  the  press,  pamphlets, 
and  newspaper  abuse,  were  offered  in  abundance  ;  but  were 
not  suffered  to  be  introduced  into  the  discussion,  because 
both  parties  had  agreed  to  abide  by  the  Bible  as  a 
standard.  Thus,  after  a  few  hours  of  shuffling  and  trickery 
on  the  part  of  the  opposition,  and  a  few  vain  attempts  to 
introduce  the  j)oisonous  slanders  which  so  often  prevail  in 
blinding  the  public  mind,  they  were  utterly  silenced. 

Elder  Hyde  then  proceeded  to  address  the  vast  assem- 
blage at  considerable  length,  congratulating  them  on  the 
triumph  of  truth,  and  exhorting  them  to  obey  the  gospel, 
and  thus  avail  themselves  of  its  blessings,  after  which  the 
discussion  closed  j  but  the  truth  grew  and  prevailed. 


CHAPTER     XIX. 

A  Tision  : — Remarkable  Signs  in  the  Heavens  : — A  False  Prophet : — A 
Dream  : — Impression  : — Prayer  : — Interpretation  Given  in  a  Second 
Dream : — Attend  Mr.  Caird's  Meeting  : — He  Shows  Himself  to  be  a 
Railer  and  a  Liar  : — 'We  Challenge  Him  to  an  Investigation  : — He  Visits 
Toronto  : — VTe  Return  There  : — Continues  His  Opposition  : — Refusing  to 
Meet  Us: — Great  Meetings: — Excitement: — Text: — Summary  of  the  Dis- 
course Proving  Him  a  False  Teacher : — He  Retires  to  Private  Life : — 
Return  to   Kirtland  : — Birth   of  My   First   Born. 

IX  July,  1836,  while  lodging  at  the  house  of  brother 
Joseph  Fielding,  the  voice  of  the  Lord  came  unto  me 
in  a  dream,  saying:  ^^ Parley P'  And  I  answered:  "Here  am 
I ;"  for  I  was  in  a  vision  of  the  Spirit  and  knew  that 
it  was  the  Lord  who  spake  unto  me.  And  he  said  : 
"  "When  did  I  ever  reveal  anything  unto  you  in  a 
dream  and  it  failed  to  come  to  pass  ?"  And  I  an- 
swered :  "  Xever,  Lord."  "  Well,  then,"  He  continued, 
"  go  unto  this  people  and  cry  unto  them  with  a 
mighty  voice  that  they  repent,  lest  I  smite  them  with 
a  curse  and  they  die  ;  for,  notwithstanding  the  present 
fruitfulness  of  the  earth,  there  shall  be  a  famine  in  the 
land  ;  and  not  only  a  famine  for  bread,  but  a  famine  for 
the  "Word  of  the  Lord  5  for  I  will  call  my  servants  out 
from  their  midst  and  send  them  to  the  nations  afar  off." 

Having  heard  these  words  I  took  courage,  and  I  con- 
tinued to  lift  up  my  voice  in  tlje  congregations,  both  in 
town  and  coimtry,  testifying  of  the  gospel  and  warning  the 
people  of  things  to  come.  Many  repented  and  were  bap- 
tized,   while    many    hardened    their   hearts    and  were  filled 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      173 

with  a  contentious  and  lying-  .spirit.  But  the  Saints  were 
filled  with  faith,  joy,  and  love ;  and  they  met  together 
oft,  and  had  great  union  and  peace,  and  were  happy  in  the 
society  of  each  other. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year — I  think  in  September 
— I  had  x^i'cached  on  Simday  in  the  chapel,  on  the 
subject  of  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  and  the  signs 
which  would  precede  his  coming.  I  prophecied  that 
they  would  see  signs  in  the  heavens  very  soon,  such 
as  were  spoken  of  by  Jesus  Christ  in  the  Kew  Tes- 
tament ;  and  that  when  they  shoidd  begin  to  see  them 
they  might  know  for  themselves  that  his  coming  was  nigh 
at  hand. 

After  thus  jireaching  I  returned  in  the  evening  to  the 
house  of  brother  and  sisters  Fielding,  at  the  hour  of  9 
P.  M. ;  we  sat  up  for  an  hour  or  two  conversing  on  these 
important  things  and  rejoicing,  when,  on  going  out  at  the 
door  and  looking  abroad,  we  beheld  a  most  wonderful 
scene  in  the  heavens,  and,  as  it  continued  for  some  time, 
we  finally  went  to  some  of  the  nearest  neighbors  and 
called  them  out  to  behold  it. 

A  wave  of  white  light  extended  like  a  rainbow  from 
east  to  west  over  the  entire  horizon,  a  little  south  of  the 
meridian.  It  was  in  appearance  about  twenty  feet  wide,' 
and  seemed  agitated  in  its  motions  like  a  wave  of  the 
sea;  at  length  it  removed  like  the  motions  of  a  great  sweU 
of  the  sea  towards  the  south  and  disappeared  5  when  lo ! 
another  similar  light  appeared  immediately  in  the  place  of 
the  former,  and,  after  remaining  stationary  with  agitated 
motions  for  some  time,  it  rolled  away  to  the  south  and 
disappeared  like  the  former,  and  Avas  replaced  l^y  a  third. 
Thus  the  same  scene  was  renewed  and  continued  for  hours. 
We  finally  all  retired  to  rest,  while  it  yet  continued  to  be 
exhibited. 

After  spending  the  season  in  continued  labors,  and  or- 
ganizing the  Church  in  many  places,  I  was  about  to  return 


174      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

in  October  to  Kirtland,  Ohio,  to  iny  liome.    'Sovr,  there  was 
a  man  named  Caird,  who,  previous  to  my  visit  to  Canada, 
had  been  over  from  England  as  a  preacher,  who  pretended 
to  be  sent  of  God  by  revelation.     He  had  preached  many 
things,  and  told  the  people  that  God  had  raised  np  apos- 
tles ill  England,   and  organized  the  true  church,  and   was 
sending  preachers  from  thence  into    all  the  world,  to  pre- 
pare   the  way   for    the  coming   of  the    Son    of   Man.     This 
man    held    to    the    sprinkling    of   infants,   which    he    called 
baptism.     He  also  held  that  the  church  of  which  he  was 
a    representative    and     messenger,    included     the    national 
Church    of    England;    and    all  others  who   had   been    bap- 
tized   (sprinkled),    whether    Catholic    or    Protestant.     This 
great,   universal  church   was  the  true  church,  only  needing 
the  restoration  of  apostles  and  gifts   which  had  now  com- 
menced to  be  restored. 

This  man  had  great  influence  in  Canada  on  his  former 
visit,  and  he  had  long  been  looked  for  to  return  to  Toronto 
on  his  second  visit.  The  people  were  all  expectation,  and 
very  anxious  that  he  should  arrive  in  time  to  meet  mo  before 
I  should  return  home;  for  many  persons  greatly  wondered 
that  there  should  arise  about  the  same  time  one  church  in 
America  and  another  iu  England,  both  professing  apostolic 
power  and  universal  jurisdiction.  Some  of  those  who  had 
heard  both  of  us,  tried  to  think  that  both  systems  were 
one  and  would  run  together.  Others  said  they  would  wait 
and  see  which  serpent  swallowed  the  other  before  they 
would  join  either.  Some  aflftrmed  that  Mr.  Caird  would 
never  shrink  from  the  investigation  of  anything,  therefore, 
he  must  embrace  "  Jlformomsm ;"  for  it  has  only  to  be  in- 
vestigated to  be  appreciated.  Others  equally  affirmed  that 
Mr.  Pratt  never  shrank  from  investigation,  and,  therefore, 
they  must  meet  each  other;  must  come  to  an  understand- 
ing: must  become  one,  or  else  one  of  their  systems  must 
be  shown  to  be  very  erroneous ;  for  these  men  have  neither 
of  them    ever  found  his  master    in  any   of   the    sects  here 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.    '  175 

in  Canada  at  any  rate.  Such  is  a  specimen  of  the  sayings 
and  feelings  of  an  excited  public,  in  view  of  the  meeting 
of  two  such  men.  On  my  own  part,  although  I  knew  his 
system  was  erroneous  and  not  founded  in  truth,  yet  I  had 
formed  a  very  favorable  opinion  of  the  man,  and  had  made 
up  my  mind  to  meet  a  fearless  champion  who  would  not 
shrink  one  moment  from  a  fidl  and  free  investigation.  Be- 
lie^ing  this,  I  felt  in  high  hopes  that  he  woidd  be  an  in- 
strument in  the  hands  of  God  to  receive  and  spread  the 
truth. 

This  man  still  lingered  at  Kingston,  two  hundred  miles 
distant,  and  did  not  come  up  to  Toronto  as  expected.  To 
satisfy  the  anxiety  of  the  people,  I  at  length  projiosed  iu 
oiu'  meeting  one  Sabbath,  that  I  would  take  steamer  the 
next  morning  and  go  down  to  Kingston,  and  see  this 
strange  man. 

That  same  night  I  had  a  dream,  as  follows :  I  thought 
I  was  in  a  vast  wilderness  of  wild  beasts  of  every  dcscrij)- 
tion,  among  which  was  a  species  of  elephant  so  large  that 
its  trunk  reached  nearly  to  the  tops  of  the  tall  trees,  and 
when  he  walked  the  earth  trembled ;  the  beasts  of  the 
field  fled  from  before  him,  and  the  trees  were  swayed  on 
either  side  of  him  as  slender  reeds.  At  this  I  was  afraid, 
and  I  wafted  myself  up  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  and 
sat  in  the  top  of  a  tall  tree.  As  he  approached,  I  reflected 
as  follows :  AYliy  should  such  a  man  as  I  fear  ?  I  have 
any  amount  of  power  given  me  of  God,  I  will,  therefore, 
descend  to  earth  before  him ;  for  he  can  never  harm  me. 
I  accordingly  descended.  He  considered  this  a  defiance  on 
my  part,  so  he  boasted  that  I  had  no  power,  and  ^hat  I 
could  not  stand  before  him. 

At  this  I  put  forth  my  hand  and  caught  him  by  the 
trunk,  and  lifting  him  from  the  ground  by  the  power  of 
the  Spirit,  I  dashed  him  to  the  ground  a  number  of  times ; 
at  this  he  seemed  to  dATindle  down  to  about  the  size  of 
a    suckling  calf,    and    finally   turned    into    a    serpent    and 


176  '    AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

swelled  out    to  the  length    of    about  a    hundred    feet,   and 
half    the    size    of    a    man's    body.     He    then    spoke    great 
swelling   words  in  defiance  of  my   power ;    said  it  was  not 
the  power  of  God,  but  oidy  the  power  of  a  man;    and  he 
continued  to  mock  and  defy  me,  saying,    ''If  you  have  the 
great  power  of  God,  why  do   you  not  puU  me  in  pieces  f 
At  this  I    saw  a  great   white  stone,  smooth   and    round 
at  the    top,    in   the    shape    of   the    half    of   an    egg,    and 
about  six    feet    in    diameter.      The    serpent    coiled    himself 
around    this    stone,    and    professed    to    be    fastened    to    it. 
And  he   said:   "  :Now  I  will  remain  fast  to  this  rock,   and 
give    you  a    fair  chance    to   pull    me    to    pieces."     I    ans- 
wered' "  you  are  not  fastened  to  the    rock,    but  will    slip 
from  'it   the  moment  I   pull."      "  Kay,"    said  he,  "  try  me, 
and  see."      I  laid  hold  of  hmi,   and  the  same  power    came 
on  me  as  before,  but  as  I    began  to  pull  he  sUpped  from 
the  rock.    I  ■  then  tried'  to    fasten    him  to    some    weeds    or 
some  rubbish  which  was  near,    but    the    moment  I    pulled 
he    would  slip  from  them  ;   I  could    not,    therefore,    fasten 
him  to  anything.      I  said  to  him,    "  you    will    not  remam 
fastened  to  anything  ;  how,  then,  can  I  pull  you  to  pieces?" 
Being  a  little  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to    do,   I    turned 
to  Elder  Orson  Hyde,  who  seemed  to  stand  by,  and  said, 
"  Brother    Orson,  see    those    wide    jaws    and    that    small 
neck ;   it  is  an  excellent  hold ;   seize  him  by  the  neck  and 
hold  'him  fast,  and,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,   I  mil  give  an 
almighty  pull.      He  did  so,  and  I  pulled  ;  the  serpent  then 
dwindled  down  to  the  size  of  a    small  snake    half  a  yard 
in  length,   and  crawled    off  and  hid  among  the  grass. 

I  awoke  under  the  strong  impression  that  the  great 
beast  and  the  serpent  represented  Mr.  Oaird ;  and  that 
the  rock  was  the  true  gospel,  to  which  he  pretended  to 
be  fast  This  impression  was  so  tUfferent  from  the  opinion 
I  had  formed  of  the  man,  that  I  felt  greatly  disappointed. 
I  was  not  willing  to  believe  the  vision;  I  exclaimed  in 
the    bitterness  of  sorrow  and    disappointment :   "  Is  it  pos- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      177 

sible  that  tLis  is  Mr.  Caird,  so  beloved,  so  revered  as 
a  great  and  good  mau  f '  I  hardly  dare  believe  it.  '^  O 
Lord,  if  this  vision  is  of  thee  and  its  application,  please 
show  lue  the  interpretation  of  it  in  plainness,  that  I  may 
not  err."  I  immediately  fell  asleep  again  and  dreamed  as 
follows  : 

I  thought  I  took   steamer  and    arrived    in    Kingston    at 
early  dawn.      I    thought  I    took   up   one    of    the    principal 
streets,   directly  northward  from  the  water,   and  put  up  at 
a  house  of  entertainment.      I  then  inquired  for  Mr.  Caird 
and    was    told  that  he    was   on    the    same    street    near    to 
me.     I   saw  him,  and  tried  to  tell  him  of  the  glorious  ful- 
ness of  the  gospel.      He   immecUately  rejected,    and  refused- 
to  hear  me,   and  commenced  to  speak  reproachfully    of  me 
and  the  cause.      I  replied  to  him  in  the    language  of  the 
i^ew  Testament  :    "  Doth   oiu-  law  judge    a    man    before    it 
hear    him !"     He  answered  with  a   sneer  :   '^  I  am  perfectly 
willing  to  judge  Mormonism  without  hearing  it  5    I    would 
not    break    my     shms  to    hear,  it    anyhow."      I    awoke    a 
second  time,  feeling  satisfied  in  regard  to  Mr.  Caird. 

I  arose  next  morning  and  told  the  people  that  I  now 
knew  Mr.  Caird  j  that  he  was  false,  and  would  bitterly 
and  utterly  refuse  to  investigate  or  hear  the  truth.  I 
told  them  I  had  no  desire  to  go  to  see  him,  for  the  Lord 
had  shown  him  to  me  in  a  dream,  and  I  knew  more  about 
him  than  all  of  them.  This,  however,  they  could  not 
realize  ;  they  assured  me  that  he  was  no  such  man  ;  and, 
a«  they  had  found  me  the  means  to  go  and  see  him,  and 
had  chosen  a  man  to  go  with  me,  they  rather  insisted 
on  my  going.  "  WeU,"  said  I,  '^  I  will  go,  but  you  a^tII 
find  the  matter  just  as  I  tell  you."  So  I  went,  accom- 
panied by  a  Mr.    Goodson. 

We  landed  in  Kingston  at  early  dawn,  went  up  the 
street  as  I  had  dreamed,  took  lodgings,  and  then  inquired 
for  Mr.  Caird,  and  Avas  answered  that  he  was  near  us 
on  the  same   street.      I  wrote  him    a  line    seeking   an    in- 

12 


178      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

terview.  No  answer  was  returned.  We  waited  all  day, 
and  then  attended  his  meeting  at  evening.  He  preached 
well  and  showed  great  intelligence.  I  could  detect  noth- 
ing to  condemn.  As  he  was  about  closing,  I  prayed  the 
Lord  to  cause  him  to  show  himself,  that  1  might  discern 
his  spirit.  On  a  sudden  he  broke  off  from  his  subject, 
and  commenced  railing  against  Mormonism  at  a  most  hor- 
rible rate.  He  said  he  had  that  day  received  a  line  from 
one  of  these  imposters,  calling  him  brother,  and  profess- 
ing to  be  of  the  new  church,  which  had  been  lately  or- 
ganized in  England  by  the  spirit  of  revelation  ;  "  by  this 
false  profession,"  he  said,  "  they  had  deceived  some  of  his 
friends  in  Toronto."     Now  all  these  things  were  lies. 

I  arose  in  the  meeting  and  asked  to  speak,  but  did 
not  obtain  privilege.  I,  however,  told  the  people  that 
Mr.  Caird  had  lied ;  he  had  received  no  line  from  an 
Elder  of  the  Church  of  the  Saints  calling  him  brother,  or 
professing  to  be  of  his  new  church,  organized  in  Eng- 
land ;  I  defied  him  to  produce  such  a  line.  All  the  an- 
swer the  multitude  returne'd  to  this  was  to  hiss,  and  to 
cry,   "  Gold  Bible  !   Gold  Bible  !— New  Revelation  !"  etc. 

Next  morning  we  published  a  printed  handbill  with  a 
statement  of  his  lying,  a  copy  of  the  line  I  had  really 
sent  to  him,  and  a  statement  of  our  doctrine  as  Latter- 
Day  Saints."  This  we  circulated  freely  in  his  next  meet- 
ing challenging  him  to  refute  the  charge,  or  to  meet  us 
in    debate. 

We  could  draw  no  answer  from  him.  We  circulated 
the  handbills  in  the  streets  by  hundreds,  and  then  sent 
plenty  of  them  by  mail  to  our  friends  in  Toronto.  The 
bill  was  headed  :  "  Doth  our  law  judge  a  man  before  it  hear 
himP  Our  friends  in  Toronto  were  astonished  above 
measure  at  the  confirmation  of  the  dream,  in  which  God 
by  his  servant  had  revealed  a  man's  spirit,  and  clearly 
exposed  the  heart  of  a  wicked  man  whom  his  best  ac- 
quaintances were  unable  to    discern.     Mr.  Caird,  on  being 


AUTOBIOGRArHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      179 

exposed  at  Kingstou,  fled  to  Toronto,  aud  there  com- 
menced jireaching  to  crowds  in  the  Court  House ;  but 
there  the '  newsboys  met  him  in  the  face,  and  circulated 
the  handbills  which  we  had  sent,  showing  him  to  be  a 
liar,  and  he  utterly  unable  to  refute  or  gainsay  it.  He 
threatened  prosecution  ;  but  the  boys,  nothing  daimted, 
continued  to  offer  the  bills  gratis  in  his  face  to  those 
who   went  in   to  hear. 

"We  returned  to  Toronto,  and  his  old  friends  urged  him 
to  meet  me  ;  but  he  could  not  be  prevailed  on  to  do  so, 
although  his  discourses  were  full  of  opposition,  and  mis- 
representation of  the  principles  of  the  Saints.  I  now 
applied  to  Wm.  Lyon  McKenzie,  a  printer  itnd  editor,  in 
King  street,  for  some  large  public  halls  or  rooms  of  his, 
which  would  hold  hundreds  of  people.  He  gave  us  the 
use  of  them,  and  we  put  out  a  bill,  advertizing  two 
meetings,  and  pledging  to  the  i)ubli(?  that  we  would  prove 
to  a  demonstration  that  Mr.  Caird,  who  was  now  preach- 
ing in  this  city,  was  a  false  teacher,  whom  God  had  never 
sent,  and  that  no  believer  in  the  Bible,  who  listened  with 
attention,  should  go  away  unconAdnced  of  that  fact,  or  the 
truth  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Chui'ch  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter-Day  Saints.  In  the  handbill  ]\Ir.  Caird  was  again 
in^ited  to  attend. 

Long  before  the  hour  of  the  first  appointment  had  ar- 
rived the  house  was  thronged  to  that  degree  that  ten 
dollars  was  in  vain  urged  upon  any  one  who  would 
vacate  their  seat,  even  on  the  stairs  which  led  to  the  hall. 
I  took  for  a  text  the  sa;^lng  of  the  Apostle  John :  "  Who- 
soever trausgresseth,  and  abideth  not  in  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  the  same  hath  not  God."  I  then  re\iewed  the 
doctrine  of  Christ  and  of  his  xVpostles  in  detail,  showing 
what  were  the  ordinances,  gifts,  powers,  precepts,  promises 
and  commandments  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  contrasted  with  the 
public  teachings   and  doings   of   this   man,  Caird. 

The  peoi)le  were  astonished  at  the  review   and  contrast, 


180 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


and  were  apparently  all  satisfied  that  we  had  fulfilled  the 
pledge  to  a  demonstration.  The  next  evening  the  house 
was  as  crowded  as  the  first;  all  listened  with  i)rofound 
attention.  We  opened  the  Scriptures  of  the  prophets,  and 
many  were  enhghtened.  In  these  two  meetings  Elder 
Hyde  was  present,  and  presided  as  chairman.  Thus  was 
fulfilled  to  the  letter  this  strange  and  w^onderful  double 
dream.  And  thus  the  truth  prevailed  over  the  counter- 
feit, while  the  people's  minds  were  settled  as  to  which, 
was  the  Moses  and  which  was  the  magician. 

Mr.  Caird  retired  from  the  country,  returned  home  to 
Scotland,  where  I  found  him  ten  years  afterwards  living 
in  private  life  and  of   no  notoriety. 

The  truth  had  now  triumphed  in  Canada,  as  was  pre- 
dicted on  my  head  on  starting  from  Kirtland,  Ohio.  Sev-, 
eral  branches  of  the  Church  had  been  organized,  and 
Elders  had  been  ordained  to  take  care  of  the  flocks 
and  to  continue  the  work.  I  took  an  affectionate  leave 
of  my  friends  in  that  country,  and,  with  my  wile,  re- 
turned home.  Where  I  had  labored,  the  Lord  had  opened 
the  hearts  of  the  Saints  sufficiently  to  pay  up  my  debts, 
as  had  been  predicted ;  and  at  the  turn  of  the  season, 
less  than  a  twelvemonth  from  the  date  of  brother  Kim- 
ball's prophecy,  my  wife  bore  me  a  son,  and  Ave  called 
his  name'  Parley.  He  was  born  early  in  the  morning 
of   March  25th,  1837. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

Two  Items  of  Prophecy :— Death  of  my  Wife :— An  Open  Vision  Fore- 
warning Her  of  Her  Death :— Burial :— Description  of  Her  Person  and 
Character :— Reflections :— Return  to  Canada:— Selection  for  an  EngUsh 
Mission  :— Jarrings  in  the  Church  :— Apostacy  :— Temptation  :— Deliver- 
ance :— Mission  to  New  York  City :— The  Voice  of  Warning :— Its 
Success  :— EngUsh  Mission  :— Remarkable  Prophecy :— Several  Instances 
of   Healing:— Spread  of    the   Work   in   the   City  and   Country. 

rpHERE  were  but  two  points  in  this  extraordinary 
-J-  prophecy  wliicli  now  remained  unfulfilled.  One  of 
these  was  that  from  the  results  of  this  Canada  Mission 
the  work  should  spread  into  England,  and  a  great  work 
there  would  be  the  consequence.  The  other  was  that  I 
should  eventually  be  so  rich  and  have  so  much  money 
that  I  would  loath  the  counting  thereof. 

My  dear  wilie  had  now  lived  to  accomplish  her  des- 
tiny ;  and  when  the  child  was  cbessed,  and  she  had 
looked  upon  it  and  embraced  it,  she  ceased  to  live  in 
the  flesh.  Her  death  happened  about  three  houi's  after 
the  birth  of  this  child  of  promise.  A  few  days  previous 
to  her  death  she  had  a  Adsion  in  open  day  while  sittino- 
in  her  room.  She  was  overwhelmed  or  immersed  in  a 
pniar  of  fire,  which  seemed  to  fill  the  whole  room  as  if 
it  woidd  consume  it  and  all  things  therein  j  and  the 
Spirit  whispered  to  her  mind,  saying:  '^^Thou  art  baptized 
with  file  and  the  Holy  Ghost.''  It  also  intimated  to  her 
that  she  should  have  the  privilege  of  departmg  from  this 
world  of  sorrow  and  pain,  and  of  going  to  the  Paradise 
of  rest   as   soon    as    she    had   fulfilled    the  prophecy  in  re- 


182      AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

latiou  to  the  promised  son.  This  ^^sioll  was  repeated  on 
the  next  day  at  the  same  hour,  ^iz. :— twelve  o'clock. 
She  was  overwhebned  with  a  joy  and  peace  indescribable, 
and  seemed  changed  in  her  whole  nature  from  that  time 
forth.  She  longed  to  be  gone,  and  anticipated  the  time 
as  a  hii-eling  counts  the  days  of  his  servitude,  or  the 
prisoner  the  term  of   his  unprisonment. 

She  was  buried  in  the  churchyard  near  the  Temple  in 
Kirtland,  Ohio.  Many  hundreds  attended  the  funeral  and  < 
wept  sorely,  for  she  was  extensively  known.  Her  trials, 
for  the  gospel's  sake,  while  her  husband  had  been  absent 
from  time  to  time  on  distant  missions,  her  hngering  sick- 
ness of  years,  her  barrenness,  her  miraculous  cure,  her 
conception  of  the  i^romised  child,  were  all  matters  of 
note  in  the  Chui-ch  far  and  near.  But  she  had  gone 
behind  the  veil  to  rest,  where  the  wicked  cease  from 
troubling  and  the  weary  are  at  rest ;  while  I  was  left 
to  toil  and  struggle  alone.  My  grief,  and  sorrow,  and 
lonelmess  I  shall  not  attempt  to  describe. 

My  son  was  put  to  nurse  on  the  breast  of  a  sister 
Allen,  who  had  just  then  lost  an  infant.  For  the  satis- 
faction of  oui'  posterity  I  wiU  here  attempt  some  descrip- 
tion of   my  mfe's  person  and  qualities. 

She  was  tall,  of  a  slender  frame,  her  face  of  an  oval 
form,  eyes  large  and  of  a  dark  color,  he'r  forehead  lofty, 
clear  complexion,  hafr  black,  smooth  and  glossy.  She  was 
of  a  mild  and  affectionate  disposition  and  full  of  energy, 
perseverance,  industry  and  cheerfiihiess  when  not  borne 
down  with  sickness.  In  order,  neatness  and  refinement  of 
taste  and  habit  she  might  be  said  to  excel.  She  was  an 
affectionate  and  dutiful  wife,^an  exemplary  Saint,  and, 
t|rough  much  tribulation,  she  has  gone  to  the  world  of 
spirits  to  meet  a  glorious  resurrection  and  an  immortal 
crown  and    kingdom. 

Farewell,  my  dear  Thankfril,  thou  wife  of  my  youth,  and 
mother  of  my  first  born  ;    ^e  beginning  of  my  stren^h— 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY     OF     PARLEY    P.     KIATT.  183 

farewell.  Yet  a  few  more  lingering  years  of  sorrow,  pain 
and  toil,  and  I  shall  be  ^itli  thee,  and  clasp  thee  to  my 
bosom,  and  thou  shalt  sit  down  on  my  throne,  as  a  queen 
and  priestess  nnto  thy  lord,  arrayed  in  white  robes  of 
dazzling  splendor,  and  decked  with  precious  stones  and 
gold,  while  thy  queen  sisters  shall  minister  before  thee  and 
bless  thee,  and  thy  sons  and  daughters  innumerable  shall 
call  thee  blessed,  and  hold  thy  name  in  everlasting  re- 
membrance. 

In  the  spring  of  1837,  soon  after  the  death  of  my  wife, 
I  retm^ned  to  Canada,  to  visit  the  Saints,  and  to  confer 
on  the  subject  of  a  mission  to  England.  Several  of  the 
Saints  in  Canada  were  English,  who  had  friends  in  Eng- 
land. Letters  had  already  been  sent  to  them  with  infor- 
mation of  the  rise  of  the  Church,  and  of  its  principles. 
Several  of  the  Canadian  Elders  felt  a  desire  to  go  on  a 
mission  to  their  friends  in  that  country. 

At  length,  Joseph  Fielding,  Isaac  EusseU,  John  Goodson 
and  John  Snider,  of  the  Canada  Elders,  were*  selected 
for  a  mission  to  England.  Elders  H.  C.  Kimball  and 
Orson  Hyde,  of  the  quorum  of  the  Twelve,  were  selected 
to  go  at  the  head  of  the  mission,  and  Elder  Willard 
Eichards  was  appointed  to  accompany  them. 

About  this  time,  after  I  had  returned  from  Canada,  there 
were  jarrings  and  discords  in  the  Church  at  Kirtland,  and 
many  feU  away  and  became  enemies  and  apostates.  There"" 
were  also  envyings,  lyings,  strifes  and  divisions,  which 
caused  much  trouble  and  sorrow.  By  such  spirits  I  was 
also  accused,  misrepresented  and  abused.  And  at  one 
time,  I  also  was  overcome  by  the  same  spirit  in  a  great 
measure,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  very  powers  of  darkness 
which  war  against  the* Saints  were  let  loose  upon  me. 
But  the  Lord  knew  my  faith,  my  zeal,  my  integTil^  of 
purpose,  and  he  gave  me  the  victory. 

I  went  to  brother  Joseph  Smith  in  tears,  and,  with  a 
broken  heart  and  contrite  spirit,   confessed  wherein    I  had 


184      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

erred  in  spirit,  murmured,  or  done  or  said  amiss.  _He^ 
frankly  forgave  me,  prayed  for  me  and  blessed  me.  iThus, 
by  exiJerience,  I  learned  more  fully  to  discern  and  to 
contrast  tlie  two  spirits,  and  to  resist  the  one  and  cleave 
to  the  other.  And,  being  tempted  in  all  jjoints,  even  as 
others,  I  learned  how  to  bear  with,  and  excuse,  and  succor 
those  who  are  tempted. 

Late  in  July  I  arrived  in  the  City  of  New  York,  on  a 
mission,  took  lodgings,  and  commenced  to  preach  and  write. 
My  first  production  in  that  city  was  a  book  of  upwards 
of  two  hundred  pages,  entitled  the  "  Voice  of  WarningJ'^ 
The  first  edition  of  this  work  consisted  of  four  thousand 
copies ;  it  has  smce  been  published  and  re-published  in 
America  and  Euiope,  till  some  forty  or  fifty  thcJusand 
copies  have  not  been  sufficient  to  supply  the  demand. 
Thousands  date  theii'  conversion  to  the  fulness  of  the 
gospel  to  the  reading  of  that  book. 

While  I  was  thus  engaged,  the  Enghsh  mission,  under 
brothers  Kimball  and  Hyde,  began  to  i)rosper  exceedingly. 
It  first  connnenced  in  Preston,  where  some  of  the  friends 
of  the  Canada  Elders  had  already  had  some  information 
of  it  by  letters  from  Canada.  From  this  beginning  it 
spread,  till  now,  1854,  it  shows  for  itself  whether  brother 
Kimball's  prophecy  was  fulfilled,  which  said  to  me  the 
year  before,  that  a  great  work  should  be  done  in  Canada 
under  my  hand,  and  that  from  thence  it  should  spread 
into  England,  and  a  great  work  should  be  done  there. 

Thus  is  completed,  all  but  one  item,  a  chain  of  proph- 
ecy, which  may,  perhaps,  be  set  down  as  one  among  the 
most  extraordinary  in  the  annals  of  history.  It  is  extra- 
ordinary, whether  we  look  at  the  varied  scenery,  the 
wide  and  complicated  field  of  action,  the  clearness  and 
precision  of  its  numerous  items  and  specifications,  the  lack 
of  natural  j>robability  of  its  fulfilment,  or  the  precision 
and  exactness  with  which  it  was  progressively  fulfilled  in 
every  item.      Having  thus  proved    the    merits    of   brother 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      185 

Kimball  as  a  prophet,  I  look  for  the  time  when  I  shall 
possess  great  riches,  and  even  handle  money  till  the 
counting  thereof  will  be  a  burthen.  I  look  for  this  with 
all  the  certainty  with  which  any  person  can  anticipate 
anything  in  the  future. 

But  to  return  to  my  own  narrative.  Of  all  the  places 
in  which  the  English  language  is  spoken,  I  found  the  City 
of  ISTew  York  to  be  the  most  difficult  as  to  access  to  the 
minds  or  attention  of  the  people.  From  July  to  January  we 
preached,  advertised,  printed,  published,  testified,  visited, 
talked,  prayed,  and  wept  in  vain.  To  all  appearance  there 
was  no  interest  or  impression  on  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple in  regard  to  the  fulness  of  the  gospel.  There  was 
one  member  of  the  Church  of  the  Saints  livmg  there, 
whose  name  was  Elijah  Fordham ;  he  was  an  Elder,  and 
assisted  me.  We  had  baptized  about  six  members,  and 
organized  a  little  branch,  who  were  accustomed  to  meet 
in  a  small  upper  room  in  Goerck  street  j  sometimes  two 
or  three  others  met  with  us.  We  had  hh-ed  chapels  and 
advertised,  but  the  people  would  not  hear,  and  the  few 
who  came  went  away  without  being  interested.  So  we 
had  been  forced  to  give  them  up,  after  spending  our 
money  and  strength  in  vain. 

We  had  retired  to  our  private  room  up  stairs  with  the 
few  members  we  had,  to  hold  a  last  prayer  meeting,  as  I 
was  about  taking  leave  for  Kew  Orleans.  We  had  prayed 
all  round  in  turn,  when,  on  a  sudden,  the  room  was  filled 
with  the  Holy  Spmt,  and  so  was  each  one  present.  We 
began  to  speak  in  tongues  and  prophecy.  Many  marvel- 
lous things  were  manifested  which  I  cannot  write  ;  but  the 
principal  burthen  of  the  prophecyings  was  concerning  New 
York  city,  and  our  mission  there. 

The  Lord  said  that  he  had  heard  our  prayers,  beheld  our 
labors,  diligence,  and  long  suffering  towards  that  city;  and 
that  he  had  seen  our  tears.  Our  prayers  were  heard,  and 
our  labors  and  sacrifices  were  accepted.      We  should  tarry 


186       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

in  tlie  citY,   and   go  not  thence   as  yet  ;   for  tlie  Lord  liad 
many  people  in  that  city,   and  lie  liad  now    come   by  the 
power    of  His    Holy    Spirit    to    gather    them    mto   liis  fold. 
His   angels    should    go    before    us    and    co5perate   ^vith    us. 
His  Holy  Spiiit  should  give  the  people  ^Hsions  and  tU-eams 
concerning  us   and  the  work  of  the  Lord  ;    and  He  would 
make  bare  his  arm  to  heal  the  sick  and  confirm  tlie  Word 
by  signs  foUowing  ;    and   from    that  very    day  forward  we 
should    have    plenty    of   fiiends,    money    to    pay   our   debts 
with  the  pubUshers  ;    means    to    live,   and    crowds    to  hear 
us.      And  there  shoidd  be  more   doors   open    for  preaxihmg 
tlian  we  could  tiU  ;    crowds,   who   could  not  get  in,  should 
stand    in    the    streets    and    about    the    entrance    to    try    to 
hear  us;    and  we    should    know    that    the    Almighty   coidd 
open   a  door  and  no   man  coidd   shut  it. 

As  these  things  were  manifested  in  power  and  the 
demonstration  of  the  Spii^it,  we  coidd  not  doubt  them. 
So  we  gave  up  going  to  New  Orleans,  and  concluded  to 
stay  ;  but  we  were  almost  ready  to  say  in  oiu-  hearts,  like 
one  of  old  :  "  If  the  Lord  shoidd  make  windows  in  Heaven 
could  these  things  be  ?"  t^     • , 

Now  there  was  in  this  little  meeting  a  man  named  David 
Eogers,    whose    heart    was    touched.       He,    being    a    chair- 
maker,  fitted  up  a  large  room,  and  seated  it  with  the  chairs 
of  his   warehouse,   and  imited   us  to  preach  in  the  same. 
This  room  was  crowded.      He  then  joined  with  one  of  our 
members,  who  was  a  joiner,   and  rented  a   small  place,  and 
seated  it  for  a  regular  place  of  meeting  ;   this  was  generally 
crowded.      In   the   meantime,   a  Methodist   clergyman  came 
to  hear  me,  whose  name  was  Cox.      He  invited  me  to  his 
house  to  preach,  near  East  Eiver;  he  and  household  were 
obedient   to  the   faith,    with   many  of  the  members   of  his 
society.      While  preaching,  a  lady  solicited  me  to  preach  in 
her  house  in  Willett  street;  "for,"  said  she,  "I  had  a  dream 
of  you  and  of  the  new  Chui^ch  the  other  night."    Another 
lady  wished  me  to  preach  in  her  house,  in  Grand  street. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      187 

In  the  meantime  I  was  invited  by  the  Free  Thinkers  to 
preach,  or  give  a  course  of  lectures,  in  Tammany  Hall.  In 
short,  it  was  not  three  weeks  from  the  delivery  of  the  pro- 
phecies in  the  upper  room  till  we  had  fifteen  preaching 
places  in  the  city,  all  of  which  were  filled  to  overflowing. 
We  preached  about  eleven  times  a  week,  besides  visiting 
from  house  to  house.  We  soon  commenced  baptizing,  and 
continued  doing  so  almost  daily  during  the  winter  and 
sprmg.  One  lady,  who  had  been  four  years  under  the 
doctor's  care  with  a  crippled  leg,  arose  and  walked,  mth 
her  leg  instantly  restored  whole,  even  as  the  other.  Her 
physician  was  immediately  dismissed,  and  was  very  angry, 
because  we  had  spoiled  his  patronage.  He  even  threatened 
to  sue  us.  Another  lady,  who  had  lain  in  her  bed  four 
years  with  the  dumb  palsy,  arose  and  walked.  She  had 
not,  previous  to  our  laying  hands  on  her,  been  able  to  stir 
a  finger,  or  a  toe,  on  her  right  side  for  about  four  years ; 
so  said  the  family,  and  so  she  herself  testified.  In  this 
case  her  physician,  and  also  some  religious  ministers,  who 
called  to  see  her,  glorified  God,  acknowledged  His  hand, 
and  exhorted  her  to  i)ersevere  in  the  faith. 

A  child  of  Mr.  Wandle  Mace,  of  No.  13  Bedford  street, 
was  healed  of  brain  fever  in  the  last  stage,  when  the 
doctors  had  given  it  over,  and  the  kindred  and  neighbors 
had  gathered  ui  to  see  it  die.  I  laid  my  hands  on  it, 
in  the  presence  of  them  all,  and  it  w^as  healed,  and  in  a 
few  hours  took  nourishment,  and  commenced  to  play  and 
run  about  the  floor.  In  the  same  house,  in  an  upper 
chamber,  lay  a  woman,  by  the  name  of  Dexter,  sick,  who 
had  not  left  her  room,  nor  scarcely  her  bed,  for  some  six 
months ;  she  was  at  the  pomt  of  death,  and  her  babe  also, 
who  had  taken  the  disease  from  her.  Her  mother,  who  had 
the  care  of  her,  was  present  when  the  child  was  healed, 
and  she  ran  up  stairs  and  told  the  woman  that  there  were 
men  below  who  healed  the  sick,  as  in  days  of  old,  by  the 
laying  on  of  hands    in    the   name    of  Jesus.      The    woman 


188 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


exclaimed  :  "  Thank  God,  then  I  cau  be  healed."  She  sent 
for  us,  and  was  from  that  hour  restored  to  health,  and  the 
child  also.  She  walked  about  two  miles  to  the  East  liiver 
and  was  baptized,  and  then  walked  home  again — it  being  a 
very  wet  day  with  snow  and  rain,  and  the  sidewalks  about 
shoe  deep  in  snow  and  mud.  After  these  three  miracles 
of  healing  had  been  witnessed  in  that  house  in  Bedford 
street,  six  i)ersons  who  witnessed  them  were  baptized,  viz. : 
Wandle  Mace  and  wife,  Theodore  Curtis  and  wife,  and  the 
sick  woman  and  her  mother,  before  named. 

During  our  stay  in  New  York  I  made  frequent  visits  to 
the  country,  and  to  other  towns.  Branches  of  the  Church 
were  formed  at  Sing  Sing,  and  in  Jersey,  and  also  in 
Brooklyn  and  various  other  parts  of  Long  Island.  Some 
members  Avere  also  baptized  in  Holiston,  Mass. 

On  May  9th  I  received  the  hand  of  Mary  Ann  Frost, 
daughter  of  Aaron  Frost,  of  Bethel,  Oxford  County,  Maine, 
in  marriage.  She  was  the  widow  of  Nathan  Stearns, 
and    had   one  daughter,  about  four  years  of  age. 


CHAPTER     XXI. 

Remove  to  Missouri : — National  Anniversary  at  Far  "West : — Corner  Stone  of 
a  Temple  : — Insurrections  : — Defence  : — Attack  on  Do  Witt,  Carroll 
County: — Mob  Chaplain: — Surrender  and  Flight  of  the  Citizens  of  De 
Witt : — Action  of  tlie  Governor  : — General  Defence  : — Battle  of  Crooked 
River  : — Death  of  Colonel  Patten  : — Defence  Construed  into  Murder  and 
Treason  : — Muster  of  State  Forces  Against  the  "  Mormons,"  with  Orders 
for  Extermination  : — General  Lucas,  with  Four  Thousand  Men,  Menaces 
Far  "West. 

IN  April,  1838,  I  took  leave  of  New  York,  and,  with  a 
small  colony,  emierated  once  more  to  Missouri.  We  set- 
tled in  Caldwell  County  in  May.  Here  I  again  commenced 
anew ;  built  a  house  and  made  a  farm.  I  also  devoted 
much  of  my  time  to  the  ministry ;  I  visited  many  differ- 
ent neighborhoods,  and  was  everywhere  received  with  hos- 
pitality, and  listened  to  with  interest  and  attention. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1838,  thousands  of  the  citizens  who 
belonged  to  the  Church  of  the  Saints  assembled  at  the 
City  of  Far  West,  the  county  seat  of  Caldwell,  in  order  to 
celebrate  oiu*  nation's  birth.  We  erected  a  tall  standard, 
on  which  was  hoisted  our  national  colors,  the  stars  and 
stripes,  and  the  bold  eagle  of  American  liberty.  Under  its 
waving  folds  we  laid  the  corner  stone  of  a  Temple  of  God, 
and  dedicated  the  land  and  ourselves  and  families  to  Him 
who  had  preserved  us  in  all  our  troubles.  An  address  was 
then  delivered  by  S.  Eigdon,  in  which  was  portrayed  in  live- 
ly colors  the  oppression  which  we  had  suffered  at  the  hands 
of  our  enemies.  We  then  and  there  declared  our  constitu- 
tional rights  as  American  citizens,  and  manifested  our  deter- 


190      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAKLEY  P.  PKATT. 

mination  to  resist,  vrith  oiu'  utmost  endeavors  from  that 
time  forth,  all  oppression,  and  to  maintain  our  rights  and 
our  freedom,  according  to  the  holy  principles  of  liberty,  as 
guaranteed  to  every  person  by  the  Constitution  and  laws  of 
our  country. 

This  declaration  was  received  with  shouts  of  hosannah  to 
God  and  the  Lamb,  and  with  many  long  cheers  by  the 
assembled  thousands,  who  were  determined  to  jield  their 
rights  no  more,  unless  comi^elled  by  superior  power. 

Soon  after  these  things  the  war  clouds  began  again  to 
lower  with  dark  and  threatening  aspect.  Those  who  had  com- 
bined against  the  laws  in  the  adjoining  counties,  had  long 
watched  om-  increasing  power  and  prosperity  with  jealousy, 
and  with  gTcedy  and  avaricious  eyes.  It  was  a  common 
boast  that,  as  soon  as  we  had  completed  our  extensive  im- 
proA^ements,  and  made  a  plentifid  crop,  they  would  drive 
us  from  the  State,  and  once  more  enrich  themselves  with 
the  spoils. 

Accordingly,  at  an  election  held  in  Davies  County,  a 
portion  of  these  bandits  undertook  to  prevent  the  members 
of  the  Church  of  the  Saints  from  voting — forcing  them 
from  the  poll  box,  and  threatening  to  kill  whoever  should 
attempt  to  vote.  As  some  voters  were  attacked  they  de- 
fended themselves,  knocked  down  several  of  their  opponents, 
gained  the  victory,  and  cast  in  their  votes. 

This  was  a  pretext  for  a  general  rising  of  the  insurrec- 
tionists, in  all  the  adjoining  counties.  They  were  alarmed 
for  fear  the  "  Mormons,''^  as  they  called  them,  should  become 
so  formidable  as  to  maintain  their  rights  and  liberties,  in- 
somuch that  they  could  no  more  drive  and  plunder  them. 
Public  meetings  were  held  in  Carroll,  Saline,  and  other 
counties ;  in  which  resolutions  were  passed  and  published, 
openly  declaring  the  treasonable  and  murderous  intention 
of  driving  the  citizens  belonging  to  the  Church  from  their 
counties,  and,  if  possible,  fiom  the  State. 
Resolutions  to  this  effect  were  published  in  the  journals 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PRATT.      191 

of  Upper  Missouri,  aud  this  without  a  single  remark  of 
ditsapprobatiou.  Nay,  more :  this  murderous  gaug,  when 
assembled  in  arms  aud  painted  like  Indian  warriors,  and 
when  openly  committing  murder,  robbery,  house  burning,  and 
every  crime  known  to  the  laws,  were  denominated  citizens, 
Avhites,  etc.,  in  inost  of  the  journals  of  the  State.  While 
those  who  stood  firm  to  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  only 
defended  themselves,  and  their  homes  and  country,  were 
denominated  "  Mormons,''^  in  contradistinction  to  the  appel- 
lation of  "  citizens,''^  "  whites,''^  etc.,  as  if  we  had  been  some 
savage  tribe,  or  some  colored  race  of  foreigners. 

In  pursuance  of  the  resolutions  thus  passed  and  pub- 
lished, a  formidable  banditti  were  soon  assembled  under 
arms,  to  the  amount  of  several  hundred,  aud  rendezvoused 
in  Davies  Count}'.  Here  they  commenced  firing  upon  our 
citizens,  plundering,  and  taking  peaceable  citizens  prisoners. 
The  people  of  the  Church  made  no  resistance,  except  to 
assemble  on  their  own  ground  for  defence.  They  also  made 
oath  before  the  District  Judge,  Austin  A.  King,  to  the  above 
outrages. 

One  thousand  men  were  then  ordered  into  service,  under 
the  command  of  Major-General  Atchison  and  Brigadier- 
Generals  Parks  and  Donij)han.  These  marched  to  Da%ies 
County  aud  remained  in  ser^^ce  thirty  days.  But,  judging 
from  the  result,  they  had  no  intention  of  coming  in  contact 
with  the  mob,  but  only  to  make  a  show  of  defending  one 
neighborhood,  Avhile  the  mob  were  allowed  to  attacli:  another. 
The  gang  now  withdrew  from  Davies  County  and  proceeded 
to  De  Witt,  Carroll  County.  Here  they  laid  siege  for  sev- 
eral days,  and  subsisted  by  plunder  and  robbery,  watching 
every  opportunity  to  fire  ujion  our  citizens. 

At  this  timo,  they  had  one  or  more  pieces  of  artillery, 
in  addition  to  small  arms  and  ammunition  in  abimdance.  A 
Presbyterian  i)riest,  '^  Rev.''-  Sashel  Woods,  served  as  chap- 
lain to  the  gang,  and  said  prayers  in  the  camp  evening 
and  morning.    They  succeeded  in   killing  a  number  of  citi- 


192      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

zens  in  and  about  De  Witt.  They  also  turned  a  gentleman, 
named  Smith  Humphrey,  and  his  wife  and  children  out  of 
doors,  when  sick,  and  setting  fire  to  the  house,  biu-ned  it 
to  ashes  before  their  eyes.  At  length  they  succeeded  in 
driving  every  citizen  from  the  place,  at  the  sacrifice  of 
everything  which  they  could  not  take  -with  them. 

This  happened  during  a  cold,  stormy  time  in  October; 
and,  as  many  of  the  citizens  were  sickly,  and  robbed  of 
shelter  and  everything  comfortable,  they  came  near  i)erish- 
ing.  Some  of  them,  in  fact,  did  perish  before  they  arrived 
in  Caldwell,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles.  Here  the  smndvors 
were  hospitably  taken  in  by  their  brethren.  The  militia, 
under  General  Parks,  made  some  show  of  trying  to  pre- 
vent these  outrages ;  but  all  in  vain.  At  length  the 
General  informed  the  citizens  that  his  forces  were  so  small, 
and  many  of  them  so  much  in  favcir  of  the  insurrec- 
tionists, that  it  was  useless  to  look  any  longer  to  them 
for  protection. 

Several  messages  were  also  sent  to  the  Governor,  Lil- 
biu-n  W.  Boggs,  the  old  mob-leader,  imploring  j)rotection. 
But  he  was  utterly  deaf  to  everything  which  called  for 
the  protection  of  the  "  Mormons,^'  as  he  called  us.  But, 
on  the  contrary,  he  barkened  to  the  insinuations  of  the 
mob  which  were  without  shadow  of  foundation.  At  one 
time  he  called  out  an  army,  and  put  himself  at  their 
head  to  march  against  the  "  Mormons. ^^  But,  as  he  ap- 
proached the  upper  country  with  this  formidable  force  of 
several  thousand  men,  he  was  ofiicially  notified  that  the 
"  il/o)'w<o«s "  were  not  in  a  state  of  insiuTectiou,  but  were 
the  Adctims  of  those  who  were  so,  and  that  they  needed 
his  help. 

His  Excellency  then  disbanded  his  forces,  and  returned 
to  Jefferson  City,  to  await  till  the  mobs  should  compel  the 
'■'■Mormons''-  to  some  act  which  might  be  considered  illegal, 
which  would  give  him  some  pretext  for  dri%ing  them  from 
the  State. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      193 

After  the  evacuation  of  De  Witt,  when  our  citizens  were 
oflScially  notified  that  they  must  protect  themselves,  and 
expect  no  more  protection  from  any  department  of  the 
State  Government,  they  assembled  in  Far  West  to  the 
number  of  one  thousand  men,  or  thereabout,  and  resolved 
to  defend  their  rights  to  the  last.  A  call  was  made  uiion 
every  jjerson  who  could  bear  arms  to  come  forward  in 
defence  of  our  houses,  homes,  wives  and  children,  and  the 
cause  of  our  country  and  our  God.  In  the  meantime  the 
bandits,  elated  with  success  and  emboldened  by  the  negli- 
gence of  every  department  of  the  State  Government,  were 
increasing  in  numbers  daily.  They  were  concentrating  in 
Davies  County,  with  artillery  and  military  stores,  with 
open  threats  that  they  would  now  drive  the  citizens  from 
Davies  and  Caldwell  Counties. 

In  their  maruading  expeditions  they  took  a  number  of 
citizens  prisoners.  Among  these  was  Mr.  Amasa  Lyman, 
a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  an  excellent  citizen  of 
Caldwell  County.  They  kept  him  prisoner  for  a  number  of 
days,  while  his  family  were  in  suspense  and  knew  not  his 
fate.  They  abused  him  in  various  ways,  and  held  frequent 
consultations  to  kill  him ;  but  at  lenglih  he  was  set  at 
liberty. 

The  people  of  Davies  County  assembled  several  hun- 
dred men  for  defence.  Several  parties  of  the  banditti 
were  met,  disarmed  and  dispersed.  A  detachment  under 
Colonel  D.  W.  Patten,  marched  against  their  main  body 
with  a  posse  of  about  one  hundred  men,  met  and  dis- 
persed them,  with  the  loss  of  their  artillery  and  some 
military  stores.  Another  i)arty  were  dispersed  and  dis- 
armed by  the  Sheriff  of  Caldwell  County  and  his  posse, 
as  they  were  on  the  march  through  that  county  to  rein- 
force the  banditti  of   Davies. 

While  these  transactions  were  going  forward,  small  par- 
ties of  the  enemy  were  busily  engaged  among  the  settle- 
ments, in  plundering  and  burning  houses ;    di'iving  women 

13 


194      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  children  from  their  homes  to  perish  with  hunger  and 
cold,  and  robbing  them  of  beds,  bedding,  furniture,  wear- 
ing apparel,  etc.,  etc.  Hundreds  were  thus  compelled  to 
flee  to  the  cities  and  strongholds.  Many  women  and 
children  came  in  at  the  dead  hours  of  the  night,  and 
in  the  midst  of  dreadful  storms  of  ram  and  snow,  in 
which  they  came  near  perishing. 

While  these  things  were  transpiring  in  Davies,  Cald- 
well was  threatened  from  every  quarter.  Her  citizens  were 
driven  from  her  frontiers,  and  came  pouring  into  the  town 
of  Far  West,  from  day  to  day,  with  women,  children, 
goods,  provisions,  etc. ;  in  short,  with  everything  moveable 
which  they  had  time  to  bring.  Lands  and  crops  were 
abandoned  to  the  enemy.  The  citizens  were  under  arms 
from  day  to  day,  and  a  strict  military  guard  was  main- 
tained every  night.  Men  slept  in  their  clothes,  with  arms 
by  their  sides,  and  ready  to  muster  at  a  given  signal  at 
any  hour  of   the  night. 

During  this  state  of  alarm  guns  were  fired  and  the 
signal  drum  beat  in  the  middle  of  a  dark  and  gloomy 
night  of  October.  The  citizens  came  running  together  with 
arms  in  hand.  An  express  had  arrived  from  the  south 
part  of  the  county,  stating  that  a  party  of  the  enemy 
were  plundering  houses,  carrying  off  prisoners,  killing  cat- 
tle, and  ordering  famiUes  out  of  their  houses,  on  pain  of 
having  them  burned  over  their  heads.  A  portion  of  the 
militia,  under  Captain  Durphy,  went  with  a  deputy  sheriff 
to  the  scene  of  riot.  I  was  one  of  the  posse,  the  whole 
consisting  of   about  sixty  men. 

This  company  was  soon  imder  way,  having  to  ride 
through  extensive  prairies  a  distance  of  some  twelve  miles. 
The  night  was  dark,  the  distant  plains  far  and  wide  were 
illuminated  by  blazing  fires,  immense  columns  of  smoke 
were  seen  rising  in  awful  majesty,  as  if  the  world  was 
on  fire.  This  scene  of  grandeur  can  only  be  comprehended 
by  those    acquainted    with    scenes    of    prairie  bummg ;    as 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      195 

the  Are  sweeps  over  nullious  of  acres  of  dry  grass  in 
the  fall  season,  aud  leaves  a  smooth,  black  surface  divested 
of   all  vegetation. 

The  thousand  meteors,  blazing  in  the  distance  like  the 
camp-fires  of  some  war  host,  threw  a  fitful  gleam  of  light 
upon  the  distant  sky,  which  many  might  have  mistaken 
for  the  Aurora  Borealis.  This  scene,  added  to  the  silence 
of  midnight,  the  rumbling  sound  of  the  trampmg  steeds 
over  the  hard  aud  dried  surface  of  the  iilain,  the  clank- 
ing of  swords  in  their  scabbards,  the  occasional  gleam  of 
bright  armor  in  the  flickering  firelight,  the  gloom  of  sur- 
rounding darkness,  and  the  unknown  destiny  of  the  expe- 
dition, or  even  of  the  people  who  sent  it  forth;  all  com- 
bined to  imjiress  the  mind  with  deep  and  solemn  thoughts, 
and  to  throw  a  romantic  vision  over  the  imagination, 
which  is  not  often  experienced,  except  m  the  poet's  dreams, 
or  in  the  wild  imagery  of  sleeping  fancy. 

In  this  solenm  procession  we  moved  on  for  some  two 
hours,  when  it  was  supposed  we  were  in  the  neighborhood 
of  danger.  We  were  then  ordered  to  dismount  and  leave 
our  horses  with  a  girard.  This  done,  we  proceeded  on  foot 
for  a  mile  or  two  in  search  of  the  enemy.  AVe  had  not 
proceeded  far  when,  as  we  entered  the  wilderness,  we 
were  suddenly  fired  upon  by  an  unknown  enemy  in  am- 
bush. One  of  our  little  number  fell  at  the  first  fire, 
being  mortally  wounded ;  his  name  was  Obanyon.  At  a 
short  distance  we  could  now  behold  the  camp-fires  of  the 
enemy.  It  was  now  dawn  of  day  in  the  eastern  horizon, 
but  darkness  still  hovered  over  the  scenes  of  conflict. 
Orders  were  issued  to  form  in  the  bnish,  and  mider  cover 
of  the  trees,  Avhich  was  instantly  done.  The  fire  now 
became  general  on  both  sides,  and  the  whole  wilderness 
seemed  one  continued  echo  of  the  report  of  the  deadly 
rifle.  After  a  few  rounds  of  discharges,  orders  were  given 
to  charge  the  enemy  in  the  cami^.  As  we  rushed  upon 
them    the    strife    became   deadly-,   aud  several  fell  on  both 


196       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

sides.  At  this  instaut  a  ball  pierced  the  brave  Colonel, 
DaAid  Patten,  "vvlio  vraa,  then  at  my  side,  and  I  saw  him 
fall.  Being  on  the  eve  of  "vactorj ,  I  dared  not  stop  to 
look  after  his  fate,  or  that  of  others,  but  rushed  into  the 
enemy's  camj).  This  was  located  on  the  immediate  banks 
of  Crooked  Eiver,  which  w^as  here  several  ^rods  wide,  and 
not  fordable.  The  enemy,  being  hard  pushed,  flung  them- 
selves into  the  stream,  and  struggled  for  the  other  shore. 
Those  who  reached  it  soon  disappeared. 

The  firing  now  ceased,  and  the  wilderness  resounded  with 
the  watchword,    "  God  and  Liberty.''^ 

Our  little  band,  Avhich  had  been  thrown  into  some  dis- 
order, were  instantly  formed,  and  their  X'ieces  reloaded. 
This  done,  a  detachment  surveyed  the  field,  to  look  after 
the  wounded.  I  turned  Gideon  Carter,  who  was  lying 
on  his  face,  and  saw  him  die.  His  face  was  so  marred 
and  disfigured  with  wounds  and  blood  that  I  did  not 
recognize  him  then,  but  learned  afterwards  that  we  had 
mistaken  him  for  one  of  the  enemy,  and  left  him  on  the 
ground  in  mistake.  I  next  found  Da\id  Patten,  whom, 
a  few  minutes  previously,  I  had  seen  fall.  lie  could 
speak,  but  was  lying  on  his  side,  pale  and  almost  dying, 
a  ball  having  pierced  the  loAver  part  of  his  body.  Many 
others  were  wounded,   and  some  dangerously. 

The  enemy  had  left  theii'  horses,  saddles,  camp  and 
baggage,  in  the  confusion  of  their  flight.  We  harnessed 
some  of  their  horses  and  jdaced  them  before  a  wagon, 
arranged  blankets  therein,  on  which  we  laid  those  who 
were  not  able  to  mount  a  horse;  this  done,  our  whole 
trooj)  mounted  the  horses  we  had  taken  and  formed  in 
front  and  rear  of  the  wagon  which  bore  the  wounded. 
We  then  moved  slowly  l)ack  to  the  guard  and  horses  we 
had  left.  Here  we  halted  and  readjusted  the  wounded. 
It  was  an  awful  sight  to  see  them  pale  and  helpless,  and 
hear  their  groans.  There  were  about  six  of  our  men 
wounded,   and  one  left  dead  on  the  ground.      The    enemy 


ATTTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PAULEY     P.     PRATT.  197 

suffered  a  similar  loss,  besides  theii'  camp,  and  many  of 
their  arms   and   military   stores. 

We  ascertained  from  the  prisoners  whom  we  rescued,  that 
the  enemy  consisted  of  about  sixty  marauders,  headed  by  a 
Methodist  preacher,  named  Bogart.  Our  posse  who  were 
actually  engaged,  coidd  not  have  been  more  than  fifty. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  engagement  there  were  three 
of  our  fellow  citizens  held  as  prisoners  in  their  camp ; 
they  had  been  kidnapped  from  their  i)eaceful  homes  the 
day  pre\ious.  Two  of  these  made  their  escape  at  the 
commencement  of  the  engagement ;  the  third  was  shot 
thi-ough  the  body  in  attempting  to  run  to  our  lines,  but 
fortunately  recovered. 

Having  now  arranged  everything  to  the  best  advantage 
for  the  wounded,  we  made  slowly  on  towards  Far  West. 
When  we  came  within  five  miles  of  the  city  our  express 
had  reached  there  with  the  news  of  the  battle,  and  we 
were  met  by  a  surgeon  and  others  for  our  relief.  Among 
tliose  who  met  us  here  was  the  wife  of  the  pale  and 
dying  Patten.  Our  wounded  were  now  taken  into  a 
house,  and  theii-  wounds  dressed.  As  Mrs.  Patten  entered 
the  room,  and  cast  her  eyes  upon  the  pale  and  ghastly 
features  of  her  husband,  she  biu^st  into  tears,  exclaiming  : 
"  O  God !     O  my  husband  !     How  pale  you  look !" 

He  was  still  able  to  speak,  but  he  died  that  evening 
in  the  triumphs  of  faith.  The  young  Obanyon  also  died 
about  the  same  time.  The  others  recovered  of  their 
wounds,  but  one  of  them  named  Hendrix  is  still  a  crijjple. 
Patten  and  Obanyon  were  buried  together,  under  military 
honors  ;  a  whole  people,  as  it  were,  followed  them  to  the 
grave.  All  wept,  whose  feelings  were  not  too  intense  to 
find  vent  in  tears.  He  was  the  only  member  of  the 
quorum  of  the  Twelve  Avho  had  as  yet  found  a  martyr's 
grave.  He  was  a  great  and  good  man,  and  one  who 
chose  to  lay  down  his  life  for  the  cause  of  truth  and 
right ;    for    this    privilege    he    had    diligently    sought    and 


198       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

prayed ;  "  for/'  said  he,  "  I  had  rather  die  thau  live  to 
see  it  tlius  iu  my  country." 

But,  to  return  to  the  main  thread  of  my  narrative : 
having  conveyed  the  wounded  to  tlieir  i)lace  of  hospital- 
ity, the  ]^osse  hastened  to  Far  West,  and  delivered  the 
spoils  of  the  enemy  to  the  colonel  of  the  regiment,  who 
afterwards  delivered  them  to  the  higher  civil  or  military 
authorities  of  the   State. 

These  several  defeats  of  the  insurrectionists  in  Davies 
County,  as  well  as  in  Caldwell  Couuty,  checked  for  a 
time  their  ruinous  ravages.  ^l^l^y  saw  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  conquer  a  i)epple  who  were  fighting  for  their 
homes,  their  wives  and  children,  as  well  as  for  their 
country  and  c^irscieifce,  liiiless  they  could  come  against 
them  with  some  show  of  authority  ;  for  it  had  -  become  an 
established  fact  that  the  people  of  the  Saints  never  re- 
sisted authority,  however  abused. 

The  next  exeition  of  the  enemy  was  to  spread  lies  and 
falsehoods  of  the  most  alarming  character.  All  our  acts 
of  defence  were  construed  into  insurrection,  treason,  mur- 
der and  plunder.  In  short,  the  public  were  deceived  by 
bigotry,  priestcraft,  and  a  corrupt  press,  and  made  to 
look  upon  all  our  acts  of  defence  precisely  as  they  would 
look  upon  the  same  acts  performed,  without  cause  or 
provocation,  upon  peaceable  citizens.  Murderous  gangs 
were  construed  into  peaceable  militia  in  the  State  service, 
and  to  resist  them  was,  on  the  part  of  the  Saints,  mur- 
der, treason  and  robbery.  And,  finally,  the  whole  was 
treated  abroad  as  the  "  Mormon  insurrection,^^ — "  Mormon 
icar,^^   etc. 

And,  as  if  this  were  not  enough,  parties  set  fire  to  their 
own  houses,  or  that  of  their  neighbors,  and  then  laid  it 
to  the  Saints.  Whole  neighborhoods  were  falselj^  alarmed, 
or  rather  really  alarmed,  by  the  doings  of  these  bandits; 
and  in  their  fright  they  fled  to  more  distant  places  of 
security,   and  clamored  loudly  to    the   State  authorities  for 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      199 

protection  from  the  ^^  Mormons,^'  Avliom  tliey  represented  as 
burning,  i)lunileruig,  and.  destroying-  all  before  them.  While 
they  were  simply  standing  on  their  own  ground  and  main- 
taining the  defensive,  and  this,  too,  in  the  last  extreme, 
and  not  till  they  were  abandoned  by  every  department  of 
the  State  Government. 

This  flame  was  greatly  assisted  by  several  dissenters 
from  the  Church  through  fear,  or  for  love  of  i^ower  and 
gain.  ^These  dissenters  became  even  more  false,  hardened, 
and  bloodthirsty  than  those  who  had  never  known  the 
way  of  righteousness.  Many  of  them  joined  the  enemy, 
and  were  the  leaders  in  all  manner  of  lying,  murder  and 
plunder.  The  Governor  and  ex-mobber,  Lilburn  W.  Boggs, 
who  had  long  sought  some  opportunity  to  destroy  us,  and 
drive  us  from  the  State,  now  issued  an  order  for  some 
ten  thousand  troops  to  be  mustered  into  service  and 
marched  to  the  tield  against  the  ''  Mormons.^''  He  gave  the 
command  of  this  formidable  force  to  General  Clark,  who 
lived,  perhaps,  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  or  more  from 
the  scene  of  trouble.  The  order  was  expressly  to  exter- 
minate the   "  Mormons,^''  or  drive  them  from  the  State. 

It  said  nothing  of  criminals ;  it  made  no  allusion  to 
punishing  crime  and  protecting  innocence  ;  it  was  sufficient 
to  be  called  a  "  Mormon.''''  A  peaceable  family  just  emigrat- 
ing, or  passing  through  the  country  ;  a  missionary  going 
or  coming  on  his  peaceable  errand  of  mercy ;  an  aged 
soldier  of  the  American  revolution  on  his  death  bed,  or 
leaning  on  his  staff  in  the  chimney  corner  5  a  widow  with 
her  babes  ;  the  tender  wife,  or  helpless  orphan  5  all  were 
included  in  this  order  of  wholesale  extermination  or  banish- 
ment. It  was  enough  that  they  believed  as  Mormon  did; 
or  that  they  were  members  of  the  Church  of  the  Saints. 

So  did  the  order  read,  and  so  it  was  construed  by  the 
officers  and  soldiers  entrusted  with  its  execution.  On  the 
other  hand,  all  the  bandits,  murderers,  robbers,  thieves,  and 
house  burners  who  had  mobbed  our  peoi)le  for  tlie  five  years 


200      AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PRATT. 

previous,  were  now  converted  into  orderly,  loyal,  patriotic 
State  militia,  and  mustered  into  service  under  pay,  or  suf- 
fered to  murder  i^eople  of  every  age  and  sex,  and  plunder 
them  on  their  own  hook  wherever  they  choose,  provided 
they  were  considered  "  2Iormons.'" 
N/^  While  General  Clark  was  mustering  his  forces  for  this 
wholesale  murder  and  treason,  JNIajor  General  D.  Lucas  and 
Brigadier  General  Moses  Wilson,  who  were  well  known  as 
the  old  leaders  of  the  former  outrages  in  Jackson  County, 
under  this  same  Boggs — betag  nearer  the  scene  of  action, 
and  wishing  to  share  the  plunder  and  immortalize  their 
names — put  themselves  at  the  head  of  all  the  old  mobbers 
of  Jackson  County  they  could  muster,  and  all  those  ban- 
dits who  had  more  lately  infested  the  counties  of  Carroll, 
Davies  and  Caldwell,  and .  such  other  militia  as  they  could 
muster,  and  marched  directly  for  the  City  of  Far  West, 
where  they  arrived  while  General  Clark  and  his  forces 
were  several  days'  journey  from  the  scene  of  action.  The 
army  of  Lucas,  thus  mustered  and  marched,  consisted  of 
some  three  or  four  thousand  men. 

Li  the  meantime  the  Governor's  orders  and  these  military 
movements  were  kept  an  entire  secret  from  the  citizens  of 
Caldwell  and  Davies,  who  were  suffering  all  this  oppression 
from  lawless  outrages  ;  even  the  mail  was  withheld  from 
Far  West.  We  had  only  heard  that  large  bodies  of  armed 
men  were  approaching  from  the  south,  and  we  had  sent 
a  hundred  and  fifty  men  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  make 
inquiries.  While  they  were  absent  on  this  mission  an 
alarm  came  to  to^m  that  the  whole  county  to  the  south 
was  filled  with  armed  men,  who  were  miudering,  plunder- 
ing, and  taking  peaceful  citizens  prisoners  in  their  own 
houses.  On  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence  every  man  flew 
to  arms  for  the  protection  of  our  city. 

It  was  now  towards  e^eniug,  and  we  had  heard  nothing 
from  the  reconnoiteriug  company  who  went  south  in  the 
morning.      While    we    stood    in    our    armor,    gazing  to    the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      201 

south  m  anxious  suspense,  we  beheld  an  army  of  cavaky, 
with  a  long"  train  of  baggage  wagons  advancing  over  the 
hills,  at  two  miles  distance.  At  fii\st  we  conjectured  it 
might  be  our  little  troop  with  the  flag  of  truce  ;  but  we 
soon  saw  that  there  were  thousands  of  them.  Our  next 
thought  was  that  it  might  be  some  friendly  troops  sent 
for  our  protection  5  and  then  again  we  thought  it  might 
be  a  concentration  of  all  the  bandit  forces  combined  for 
GUI   destruction. 

At  all  events,  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost;  for,  although 
our  force  then  present  did  not  exceed  five  hundred  men, 
yet  we  did  not  intend  that  they  should  enter  the  town 
without  giving  some  account  of  themselves.  We  accord- 
ingly marched  out  ujion  the  jilains  on  the  south  of  the  city 
and  formed  in  order  of  battle.  Oiu-  line  of  infantry  extended 
near  half  a  mile.  A  small  company  of  horse  was  posted  on 
our  right  wing  on  a  commanding  eminence,  and  another 
small  company  in  the  rear  of  our  main  body,  intended  as 
a  kind  of  reserve. 

By  this  time  the  sun  was  near  setting,  and  the  advance 
of  the  unknown  army  ha<d  come  ^N^ithin  plain  view,  at  less 
than  one  mile  distant.  On  seeing  our  forces  presenting 
a  small  but  formidable  front,  they  came  to  a  halt,  and 
formed  along  the  borders  of  a  stream  called  Goose  Creek. 

Both  ijarties  sent .  out  a  white  flag,  which  met  between 
the  armies.  Our  messenger  demanded  to  know  who  they 
were,  and  w^hat  were  their  intentions  ?  The  reply  was : 
"  We  want  three  persons  out  of  the  city  before  we  mas- 
sacre the  rest!"  This  was  a  very  alarming  and  unex- 
pected answer.  But  they  were  soon  prevailed  on  to  sus- 
pend hostilites  till  morning,  by  which  time  we  were  in 
hopes  to  receive  some  further  and  more  satisfactory  in- 
formation. The  enemy,  under  the  command  of  Major 
General  D.  Lucas,  of  Jackson  County  mob  memory,  then 
commenced  their  encami^ment  for  the  night.  Our  troops 
continued  under  arms  during  the  night.      The  company  of 


202 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


a  hundred  aud  lifty  soon  letiiriied  from  the  south,  in- 
forming us  that  they  had  been  hemmed  i]i  by  the  enemy 
during  the  day,  aud  only  escaped  by  their  su])erior 
knowledge  of  the   ground. 

We  also  sent  an  express  to  Davies  County,  and  by 
morning  were  reinforced  by  quite  a  number  of  troo])s, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  L.  White.  In  the  meaii 
iime  a  noted  company  of  banditti,  under  the  command  of 
Cornelius  Gillum,  who  had  long  infested  our  borders,^  and 
been  notorious  for  their  murders  and  daring  robberies,  and 
who  i^ainted  themselves  as  Indian  warriors,  came  pouring 
in  from  the  west  to  strengthen  the   camp  of  the  enemy. 

Another  company  of  murderers  came  in  from  Carroll 
County,  and  were  taken  into  the  ranks  of  Lucas,  after 
murdering  some  eighteen  or  twenty  of  our  citizens  (men, 
women  aud  children)  at  Haun's  Mill,  of  which  ijarticu- 
lars  will  be  given  hereafter.  Thus  both  parties  were 
considerably  reinforced  during  the  night.  The  citizens  of 
Far  West  being  determined,  if  attacked,  to  defend  their 
homes,  wives  and  children  to  the  last,  spent  the  night 
in  thromng  up  a  temporary  breastwork  of  building  tim- 
ber,  logs,   rails,  floor  i)lank,    etc. 

In  the  morning  the  south  side  of  the  city  was  thus  for- 
tified, and  also  a  considerable  portion  of  the  east  and 
west  sides — the  whole  line  extending  a  mile  and  a    half. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

Exterminating  Order : — Betrayal  and  Imprisonment  of  Joseph  Smith  and 
Others  : — Camp  of  the  Enemy  : — Howlings  of  the  Damned  : — The  En- 
emy Boast  of  the  Highest  Crimes : — Secret  Inquisitory  Trial  of  the 
Prisoners  : — Sentence  of  Death  ! — How  Reversed  : — A  Judas  : — Surren- 
der of  Ear  "West : — Attempt  to  Assassinate  the  Prisoners  : — Farewell 
Scenes  : — Captives  Removed  to  Jackson  County : — General  Clark  De- 
mands the  Prisoners  : — Refusal  to  Surrender  Them  : — Cross  the  Missouri 
River  : — Visitors  : — Preaching  in  Camp  by  President  Smith  — Arrive  at 
Independence  : — Public   Exhibition   of   the    Prisoners. 

OCTOBER  31,  1838.— lu  the  afternoon  we  were  informed 
that  the  Governor  had  ordered  this  force  against 
us,  with  orders  to  extermmate  or  drive  every  ^^  Mormon  ^^ 
from  the  State.  As  soon  as  these  facts  were  ascer- 
tained we  determined  not  to  resist  anything  in  the 
shape  of  authority,  however  abused.  We  had  now  noth- 
ing to  do  but  to  submit  to  be  massacred,  driven,  robbed 
or  plundered,  at  the  option  of  oiu*    persecutors. 

Colonel  George  M.  Hinkle,  who  was  at  that  time  the 
highest  officer  of  the  militia  assembled  for  the  defence 
of  Far  West,  waited  on  Messrs.  J.  Smith,  S.  Eigdon, 
Hyrum  Smith,  L.  Wight,  George  Robinson  and  myself, 
with  a  request  from  General  Lucas  that  we  would 
repair  to  his  camp,  with  the  assurance  that  as  soon  as 
peaceable  arrangements  could  be  entered  into  we  should 
be  released.  We  had  no  confidence  in  the  word  of  a 
murderer  and  robber,  but  there  was  no  alternative  but  to 
put  ourselves  into  the  hands  of  such  monsters,  or  to  have 
the  city  attacked,  and  men,  women  and  children  massacred. 
We,    therefore,    commended    ourselves    to    the    Lord,     and 


204      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAKLEY  P.  PRATT. 

yoliuitarily  surreudered  as  sheep  into  the  hands  of  wolves. 
As  we  approached  the  camp  of  the  enemy  General  Lucas 
rode  out  to  meet  us  with  a  guard  of  several  hundred 
men. 

The  haughty  general  rode  up,  and,  without  speak- 
ing to  us,  instantly  ordered  his  guard  to  surround  us. 
They  did  so  very  abruptly,  and  we  were  marched  into 
camp  surrounded  by  thousands  of  savage  looking  beings, 
many  of  whom  were  dressed  and  painted  like  Indian 
warriors.  These  all  set  up  a  constant  yell,  like  so  many 
bloodhounds  let  loose  upon  theu"  prey,  as  if  they  had 
achieved  one  of  the  most  mhaculous  Aictories  that  ever 
graced  the  annals  of  the  world.  If  the  vision  of  the  in- 
fernal regions  could,  suddenly  open  to  the  mind,  with 
thousands  of  malicious  fiends,  all  clamoring,  exulting,  de- 
riding, blaspheming,  mocking,  railing,  raging  and  foaming 
like  a  troubled  sea,  then  could  some  idea  be  formed  of 
the  heU  which    we  had    entered. 

In  camp  we  were  placed  under  a  strong  guard,  and 
were  without  shelter  during  the  night,  lying  on  the 
gTomid  in  the  open  air,  in  the  midst  of  a  great  rain. 
The  guards  duilng  the  whole  night  kept  up  a  constant 
tirade  of  mockery,  and  the  most  obscene  blackguardism 
and  abuse.  They  blasphemed  God  ;  mocked  Jesus  Christ ; 
swore  the  most  dreadful  oaths  ;  taunted  brother  Joseph  and 
others ;  demanded  miracles ;  wanted  signs,  such  as : 
"  Come,  ]yir.  Smith,  show  us  an  angel."  "  Give  us  one 
of  youi'  revelations."  ''  Show  us  a  miracle."  "  Come,  there 
is  one  of  your  brethren  here  in  camp  whom  we  took 
prisoner  yesterday  in  his  own  house,  and  knocked  his 
brains  out  with  his  own  rifle,  which  we  found  hanging 
over  his  fireplace  ;  he  lays  speechless  and  djing  ;  speak 
the  word  and  heal  him,  and  then  we  will  all  believe." 
"  Or,  if  you  are  Apostles  or^men-ixL^Grod^  deliver  your- 
selves, and  theu  we  will_  be  Mormons."  Xext  would  be 
a  volley  of  oaths  and  blasphemies  ;   then   a  tumultuous  ti- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      205 

rade  of  lewd  boastings  of  having  defiled  virgins  and  wives 
by  force,  etc.,  much  of  which  I  dare  not  write ;  and,  in- 
deed, language  would  fail  me  to  attempt  more  than  a 
faint  description.  Thus  passed  this  dreadful  lught,  and 
before  morning  several  other  captives  were  added  to  our 
number,  among  whom   was  brother  Amasa  Lyman. 

We  were  informed  that  the  general  officers  held  a  secret 
..council  during  most  of  the  night,  which  was  dignified  by 
the  name  of  court  martial ;  in  which,  without  a  hearing, 
or,  without  even  beiTig  brought  before  it,  we  were  all  sen- 
tenced to  be  shot.  The  day  and  hour  was  also  appointed 
for  the  execution  of  this  sentence,  viz. :  next  morning  at 
8  o'clock,  in  the  public  square  at  Far  West.  Of  this  we 
were  informed  by  Brigadier-General  Donii)hau,  who  was  one 
of  the  council,  but  who  was  so  violently  opposed  to  this 
cool  blooded  mmxler  that  he  assured  the  council  that  he 
would  revolt  and  withdraw  his  whole  brigade,  and  march 
them  back  to  Clay  County  as  soon  as  it  was  light,  if  they 
persisted  in  so  dreadful  an  undertaking.  Said  he,  "  It  is 
cold  blooded  murder,  and  I  wash  my  hands  of  it."  His 
firm  remonstrance,  and  that  of  a  few  others,  so  alarmed 
the  haughty  murderer  and  his  accomplices  that  they  dare 
not  put  the  decree  in  execution. 

Thus,  through  a  merciful  providence  of  God  our  lives 
were  spared  through  that  dreadful  night.  It  was  the  com- 
mon talk,  and  even  the  boast  in  the  caiup,  that  individ- 
uals lay  here  and  there  unburied,  where  they  had  shot 
them  down  for  sport.  The  females  they  had  ravished ;  the 
plunder  they  had  taken ;  the  houses  they  had  burned ;  the 
horses  they  had  stolen ;  the  fields  of  grain  they  had  laid 
waste,  were  common  topics ;  and  were  dwelt  on  for  mere 
amusement,  or,  as  if  these  deeds  were  a  stepstone  to  of- 
fice ;   and  it  is  a  fact  that  such  deeds   were  so  considered. 

No  pen  need  undertake  to  describe  our  feelings  during 
that  terrible  night,  while  there  confined — not  knowing  the 
fate  of   our   wives    and    children,    or  of  our  fellow    Saints, 


206       AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  seeing  no  way  for  our  lives  to  he  saved  except  by  the 
miraculous  power  of  God.  But,  notwithstanding  all  earthly 
hoi)es  were  gone,  still  we  felt  a  calmness  indescribable.  A 
secret  whispering  to  our  inmost  soid  seemed  to  say :  "  Peace, 
my  sons,  be  of  good  cheer,  your  work  is  not  yet  done ;  there- 
fore I  will  restrain  your  enemies,  that  they  shall  not  have 
power  to  take  your  lives." 

While  thus  confined.  Win.  E.  McLellin,  once  my  fellow 
laborer  in  the  gospel,  but  now  a  Judat;,  ^^ilh  hostile  weapon 
in  hand  to  destroy  the  Saints,  came  to  me  and  observed : 
"Well,  Parley,  you  have  now  got  where  you  are  certain 
never  to  escape;  how  do  you  feel  as  to  the  course  you 
have  taken  in  religion  ?"  I  answered,  "  that  I  had  taken 
that  course  which  I  shoidd  take  if  I  had  my  life  to  live 
over  again."  He  seemed  thoughtful  for  a  moment,  and 
then  replied :  "  Well — I  think,  if  I  were  you,  I  should  die 
as  I  had  lived;  at  any  rate,  I  see  no  possibility  of  escape 
for  you   and  your  friends." 

]S^ext  morning  Gen.  Lucas  demanded  the  Caldwell  militia 
to  give  up  their  arms,  which  was  done.  As  soon  as  the 
troops  Avho  had  defended  the  city  were  disarmed,  it  was 
surrounded  by  the  enemj'  and  all  the  men  detained  as  pris- 
oners, ^one  were  jjermitted  pass  out  of  the  city — although 
their  families  were  starving  for  Avant  of  sustenance ;  the 
mills   and  provisions   being  some  distance  from  the  city. 

The  brutal  mob  were  now  turned  loose  to  ravage,  steal, 
l)lunder  and  murder  Avithout  restraint.  Houses  were  rifled, 
women  ravished,  and  goods  taken  as  they  pleased.  The 
whole  troop,  together  Avith  their  horses,  liAed  on  the  grain 
and  provisions.  While  cattle  were  shot  doAAni  for  mere 
sport,  and  sometimes  men,  women  and  childi'en  fared  no 
better.  On  the  third  morning  after  our  imi)risonmeut  we 
were  i)lace(l  in  a  wagon,  in  order  for  removal.  Many  of 
the  more  desperate  then  crowded  around,  cocked  their  rifles, 
and  singling  us  out  i)resented  them  to  our  breasts,  and 
swore    they    would    blow    us     through.       Some    guns    were 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     TAKLEY     P.     PRATT.  207 

snapped,  but  missed  fire,  and  the  rest  were  in  a  small  de- 
gree restrained  by  the  officers,  and  we  still  lived. 

We  were  now  marched  to  Far  West,  under  the  conduct 
of  the  whole  army ;  and  while  they  halted  in  the  public 
square,  we  were  permitted  to  go  with  a  guard  for  a  change 
of  linen  and  to  take  final  leave  of  oiu*  families,  in  order 
to  depart  as  prisoners  to  Jackson  County,  a  distance  of 
sixty  miles. 

This  was  the  most  trying  scene  of  all.  I  went  to  my 
house,  being  guarded  by  two  or  three  soldiers  5  the  cold 
rain  was  pouring  down  without,  and  on  entering  my  little 
cottage,  there  lay  my  wife  sick  of  a  fever,  with  which  she 
had  been  for  some  time  confined.  At  her  breast  was  our  sou 
Nathan,  an  infant  of  three  months,  and  by  her  side  a  lit- 
tle girl  of  five  years.  On  the  foot  of  the  same  bed  lay  a 
woman  in  travail,  who  had  been  driven  from  her  house  in 
the  night,  and  had  taken  momentary  shelter  in  my  hut  of 
ten  feet  square — my  larger  house  having  been  torn  down. 
I  stepped  to  the  bed ;  my  wife  burst  into  tears ;  I  spoke 
a  few  words  of  comfort,  teUing  her  to  try  to  live  for  my 
sake  and  the  children's ;  and  exi)ressing  a  hope  that  wc 
should  meet  again  though  years  might  separate  us.  She 
promised  to  try  to  live.  I  then  embraced  and  kissed  the 
little  babes   and  departed. 

Till  now  I  had  refrained  from  weeping ;  but,  to  be  forced 
from  so  helpless  a  family,  who  were  destitute  of  provisions 
and  fuel,  and  deprived  almost  of  shelter  in  a  bleak  prairie, 
with  none  to  assist  them,  exposed  to  a  lawless  banditti  who 
were  utter  strangers  to  humanity,  and  this  at  the  approach 
of  winter,  was  more  than  nature   could  well  endure. 

I  went  to  Gen.  Moses  Wilson  in  tears,  and  stated  the 
circumstances  of  my  sick,  heart-broken  and  destitute  family 
in  terms  which  would  have  moved  any  heart  that  had  a 
latent  spark  of  humanity  yet  remaining.  But  I  was  only 
answered  with  an  exultant  laugh,  and  a  taunt  of  reproach 
bv  this  hardened  murderer. 


208 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


As  I  returned  from  my  house  towards  the  troops  iu 
the  square,  I  halted  with  the  guard  at  the  door  of  Hy- 
rum  Smith,  and  heard  the  sohs  and  groans  of  his  wife, 
at  his  parting  words.  She  was  then  near  confinement; 
and  needed  more  than  ever  the  comfort  and  consolation 
of  a  husband's  presence.  As  we  returned  to  the  wagon 
we  saw  S.  Kigdon  taking  leave  of  his  wife  and  daughters, 
who  stood  at  a  Uttle  cUstance,  in  tears  of  anguish  indes- 
cribable. In  the  wagon  sat  Joseph  Smith,  while  his  aged 
father  and  venerable  mother  came  up  overwhelmed  with 
tears,  and  took  each  of  the  prisoners  by  the  hand  with 
a  sdence  of  grief  too  great  for  utterance. 

Iu  the  meantime,  hundreds  of  the  brethren  crowded 
around  us,  anxious  to  take  a  parting  look,  or  a  silent 
shake  of  the  hand  ;  for  feehngs  were  too  intense  to  aUow 
of  speech.  In  the  midst  of  these  scenes  orders  were  given, 
and  we  moved  slowly  away,  under  the  conduct  of  Gen. 
Wilson  and  his  whole  brigade.  A  march  of  twelve  miles 
brought  us  to  Crooked  Eiver,  where  we  camped  for  the 
night.  Here  Gen.  Wilson  began  to  treat  us  more  kindly, 
he  became  very  sociable;  conversing  very  fi^eely  on  the 
subject  of  his  former  murders  and  robberies  committed 
against  us  in  Jackson.  He  did  not  pretend  to  deny  any- 
thing ;  but  spoke  upon  the  whole  as  freely  as  if  he  had 
been  giving  the  history  of  other  ages  or  countries,  in 
which  his  audience  had  no  personal  concern.      Said  he  : 

"  We  Jackson  County  boys  know  how  it  is  ;  and,  there- 
fore have  not  the  extremes  of  hatred  and  prejucUce  which 
characterize  the  rest  of  the  troops.  We  know  perfectly 
that  from  the  beginning  the  Mormons  have  not  been  the 
agoressors  at  aU.  As  it  began  in  '33  in  Jackson  County, 
so ''it  has  been  ever  since.  You  Mormons  were  crowded 
to  the  last  extreme,  and  compeUed  to  self-defence;  and 
this  has  been  construed  into  ti^eason,  murder  and  plunder. 
We  mob  vou  mthout  law;  the  authorities  refuse  to  pro- 
tect you   according  to  law;   you  then  are  compeUed  to  pro- 


AUTOBIoaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      209 

tect  youi'selves,  and  we  act  upon  the  prejudices  of  the 
public,  who  join  oiu-  forces,  and  the  whole  is  legalized, 
for  your  destruction  and  our  gain.  Is  not  this  a  shrewd 
and   cunning  policy  on   our  part,  gentlemen  ? 

"When  we  drove  you  from  Jackson  County,  we  biu-ned 
two  hundred  and  three  of  your  houses ;  plundered  your 
goods  ;  destroyed  yom-  press,  type,  paper,  books,  offic^  and 
all — tarred  and  feathered  old  Bishop  Partridge,  as /exem- 
plary an  old  man  as  you  can  find  anywhere.  me  shot 
down  some  of  your  men,  and,  if  any  of  you  returned  the 
fire,  we  imprisoned  you,  on  your  trial  for  mm^der,  etc. 
Damn'd  shrewdly  done,  gentlemen ;  and  I  came  damn'd 
near  kicking  the  bucket  myself;  for,  on  one  occasion, 
while  we  were  tearing  down  houses,  dri\4ng  families,,  and 
destroying  and  plundering  goods,  some  of  you  good  folks 
put  a  ball  through  my  son's  body,  another  through  the 
arm  of  my  clerk,  and  a  third  pierced  my  shirt  collar  and 
marked  my  neck.  No  blame  gentlemen;  we  deserved  it. 
And  let  a  set  of  men  serve  me  as  your  community  have 
been  served,  and  I'U  be  damn'd  if  I  Avould  not  fight  till 
I  died. 

"It  was  repeatedly  insinuated,  by  the  other  officers  and 
troops,  that  we  should  hang  you  prisoners  on  the  first 
tree  we  came  to  on  the  Avay  to  Independence.  But  I'll 
be  damn'd  if  anybody  shall  hurt  you.  We  just  intend  to 
exhibit  you  in  Independence,  let  the  people  look  at  you, 
and  see  what  a  damn'd  set  of  fine  fellows  you  are.  And, 
more  particularly,  to  keep  you  from  that  G — d  damn'd 
old  bigot  of  a  Gen.  Clark  and  his  troops,  from  down 
country,  who  are  so  stufted  with  lies  and  prejudice  that 
they   would   shoot  you  down  in  a  moment." 

Such  was  the  tenor  of  the  conversation  addressed  by 
Gen.  Wilson  to  his  prisoners.  Indeed,  it  was  now  e^ddent 
that  he  was  proud  of  his  prey,  and  felt  highly  enthusi- 
astic in  having  the  honor  of  returniug  in  triiunph  to  In- 
dependence with  his  prisoners,   whom    his   superstition  had 

14 


210      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

magnified  into  something  more  than  fellow  citizens — some- 
thing noble  or  supernatural,  and  worthy  of  public  exhi- 
bition. 

As  we  arose  and  commenced  our  march  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  3d  of  November,  Joseph  Smith  spoke  to  me  and 
the  other  prisoners,  in  a  low,  but  cheerful  and  confidential 
tone  ;  said  he  :  ^^  Be  of  good  clieer^  hrethren ;  the  word  of  the 
Lord  came  to  me  last  night  that  our  lives  should  he  given  us, 
and  thai  whatever  ice  may  suffer  during  this  captivity,  not 
one  of  our  lives  should  he  takenJ'^  Of  this  x>rophecy  I  tes- 
tify in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and,  though  spoken  in 
secret,  its  public  fulfilment  and  the  miraculous  escape  of 
each  one  of  us  is  too  notorious  to  need  my  testimony. 
In  the  after  part  of  the  day  we  came  to  the  Missouri  Eiver, 
which  separated  us  from  Jackson  County.  Here  the  bri- 
gade was  halted  and  the  prisoners  taken  to  a  public 
house,  where  we  were  permitted  to  shave,  change  our 
linen,  and  partake  of  some  refreshment.  This  done,  we 
were  hurried  to  the  ferry  and  across  the  river  with  the 
utmost  haste  in  advance  of  the  troops.  This  movement 
was  soon  explained  to  us.  The  truth  was.  Gen.  Clark 
had  now  arrived  near  the  scene  of  action,  and  had  sent 
an  express  to  take  us  from  Gen.  Wilson  and  prevent  us 
from  going  to  Jackson  County — both  armies  being  com- 
petitors for  the  honor  of  possessing  the  wonderful,  or,  in 
their  estimation,   royal  prisoners. 

Clark  and  his  troops,  from  a  distance,  who  had  not  ar- 
rived in  the  city  of  Far  West  till  after  our  departure, 
were  desirous  of  seeing  the  strange  men  whom  it  was 
said  had  timied  the  world  upside  down  and  of  xiossessing 
such  a  wonderful  trophy  of  victory,  or  of  putting  them 
to  death  themselves.  On  the  other  hand,  Wilson  and  his 
brigade  were  determined  to  exhibit  us  through  the  streets  of 
Independence  as  a  ^dsible  token  of  their  own  achievements. 
Therefore,  when  demanded  by  Gen.  Clark's  express,  they 
refused  to  surrender  us ;    and  hurried  us  across    the   ferry 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      211 

with  all  possible  despatcli.  Marching  about  a  mile,  we 
encamped  for  the  night  in  the  wilderness,  with  about  fifty 
troops  for  our  guard — ^the  remainder  not  crossing  the  ferry 
till  the  next  morning. 

Some  of  the  neighboring  citizens  visited  us  next  morn- 
ing— it  being  Sunday.  One  of  the  ladies  came  up  and 
very  candidly  inquired  of  the  troops  which  of  the  pris- 
oners the  "  Mormons "  worshipped '?  One  of  the  guards 
pointing  to  Mr.  Smith  with  a  significant  smile,  said, 
"This  is  he."  The  woman,  then  turning  to  Mr.  Smith, 
inquired  whether  he  professed  to  be  the  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour I 

Do  not  smile,  gentle  reader,  at  the  ignorance  of  these 
poor  innocent  creatures,  who,  by  the  exertions  of  a  cor- 
rupt press  and  pulpit,  are  kept  in  ignorance  and  made 
to  believe  in  every  possible  absurdity  in  relation  to  the 
Church  of  the  Saints.  Mr.  Smith  replied,  that  he  pro- 
fessed to  be  nothing  but  a  man,  and  a  minister  of  salva- 
tion, sent  by  Jesus  Christ  to  preach  the  gospel.  After 
expressing  some  surprise,  the  lady  inquired  what  was  the 
peculiar  nature  of  the  gospel,  as  held  by  himself  and 
his  Church?  At  this  the  visitors  and  soldiers  gathered 
around,  and  Mr.  Smith  preached  to  them  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  repentance  towards  God,  reformation 
of  life,  immersion  in  water,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ, 
for  remission  of  sins,  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  by 
the  laying  on  of  hands. 

All  seemed  surprised,  and  the  lady,  in  tears,  went  her 
way,  praising  God  for  the  truth,  and  i)raying  aloud  that 
the  Lord  would  bless  and  deliver  the  prisoners. 

At  ten  o'clock  the  brigade  had  all  crossed  the  river, 
and  come  up  with  us.  We  were  then  marched  forward 
in  our  carriages,  while  the  troops  were  formed  into  a 
front  and  rear  guard,  with  quite  a  martial  apj)earance. 
As  we  passed  along  through  the  settlements  hundreds  of 
men,  women  and  children  flocked  to  see  us.      General  W. 


212      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

•often  halted  the  whole  brigade  to  introduce  us  to  the 
populace,  pointing  out  each  of  us  by  name  Many  shook 
us  by  tie  hand,  and,  in  the  ladies  at  least,  there  appeared 
some  feelings  of  human  compassion  and  sympathy. 

In  this  way  we  proceeded  till  we  arrived  at  Indepen- 
dence. It  was  now  past  noon,  and  in  the  midst  of  a 
great  rain:  but  hundreds  crowded  to  witness  the  proces- 
sion and  to  gaze  at  us  as  we  were  paraded  in  martial 
triumph  through  the  principal  streets,  the  bugles  sounding 
a  blast  of  triumphant  joy. 


CHAPTER     XXTII 

Treatment  of  tlie  Prisoners  : — Visit  tlie  Temple  Lot : — Gain  my  Freedom  : — 
Temptation  : — Voluntary  Return  to  Bondage  : — Leave  Independence  : — Con- 
duct of  the  Guards: — Fall  into  the  Hands  of  Col.  Price  and  Guards: — 
Arrive  at  Richmond: — Chains: — Interview  with  Gen.  Clark: — Dialogue: — 
Inconceivable   Absurdities. 

ryiHIS  ceremony  being  linislied,  a  vacant  liouse  was  pre- 
-L  pared  for  our  reception,  into  wliicli  we  were  ushered 
through  the  crowd  of  spectators  which  thi-ouged  every 
avenue. 

The  troops  were  then  disbanded.  In  the  meantime  we 
were  kept  under  a  small  guard,  and  were  treated  with 
some  degree  of  humanity,  while  hundreds  flocked  to  see 
us  day  after  day.  We  spent  most  of  our  time  in  preach- 
ing and  conversation,  explanatory  of  our  doctrines  and 
practice.  Much  prejudice  was  removed,  and  the  feelings 
of  the  populace  began  to  be  in  our  favor,  notwithstanding 
their  former  wickedness  and  hatred.  In  a  day  or  two 
we  were  at  liberty  to  walk  the  streets  without  a  guard. 
We  were  finally  removed  from  our  house  of  confinement 
to  a  hotel,  where  we  boarded  at  the  public  table,  and 
lodged  on  the  floor,  with  a  block  of  wood  for  a  pillow. 
We  no  longer  had  any  guard  ;  we  went  out  and  came  in 
when  we  x)leased — a  certain  keeper  being  appointed  merely 
to  watch  over  us,  and  look  to  our  wants. 

With  him  we  walked  out  of  town  to  the  westward,  and 
visited  the  desolate  lands  of  the  Saiuts,  and  the  place 
which,  seven  years  before,  we  had  dedicated  for  the  build- 
ing   of   a    Temple.      This    was  a  beautiful  rise  of  ground, 


214      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

about  half  a  mile  west  of  ludependence  centre.  When  we 
saw  it  last  it  was  a  noble  forest,  but  our  enenues  bad 
since  robbed  it  of  every  vestige  of  timber,  and  it  now 
lay  desolate,  or  clothed  with  grass  and  weeds. 

O,  how  manv  feelmgs  did  this  spot  awaken  m  our 
bosoms!  Here  we  had  often  bowed  the  knee  in  prayer, 
in  bygone  years.  Here  we  had  assembled  with  hundreds 
of  happy  Saints  in  the  solemn  meeting,  and  offered  our 
songs,  and  sacraments,  and  orisons.  But  now  all  was 
solemn  and  lonely  desolation.  Not  a  vestige  remamexl  to 
mark  the  spot  where  stood  our  former  dwellings.  They 
had  long  since  been  consumed  by  fire,  or  removed  and 
converted  to  the  uses  of  our  enemies. 

While  at   Independence  we  were  once  or  twice  mvited  to 
dine  with  General  Wilson  and  some  others,  which  we  did. 

WhUe  thus  sojoiu-ning  as  prisoners  at  large,  I  arose   one 
morning  when  it  was  very  snowy,  and  passed  silently  and 
unmolested  out  of   the  hotel,  and    as    no    one    seemed    to 
notice  me,  or  caU  me  in  question,  I  thought  I  would  try 
an  experiment.      I  passed  on  eastward  thiough  the  town; 
no  one  noticed  me.      I  then  took  into  the  fields    stdl  un- 
observed.    After  travelUng  a  mile  I  entered  a  forest ;   aU 
was    gloomy    silence,   none    were    near,    the    heavens    were 
darkened    and    obscured    by    falling    snow,  my    track    was 
covered  behind  me,  and  I  was  free.      I  knew  the  way  t« 
the    States  eastward  very  well,   and  there  seemed  nothmg 
to    prevent    my    pursuing    my    way    ^Wtl^^r  .thoughts    of 
freedom    beat    high    in    my    bosom  ;    wife,  childi^n,  home, 
freedom,  peace,  and  a  land  of  law   and  ordex,  all  arose  in 
my  mind;   I  could  go  to  other  States,  send  for  my  famUy, 
make  me  a  home  and  be  happy. 

On  the  other  hand,  I  was  a  prisoner  m  a  State  where 
all  law  was  at  an  end.  I  was  liable  to  be  shot  down 
at  any  time  without  judge  or  jury.  I  was  liable  to  be 
tried  for  my  life  by  murderous  assassins,  who  had 
aheady  broken  every  oath  of  office  and  trampled  on  every 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      215 

principle  of  honor  or  even  hmnanity.  Hands  already 
dripping  with  the  blood  of  aged  sires,  and  of  helpless 
women  and  children,  were  reaching  out  for  my  destruction. 
The  battle  of  Crooked  Eiver  had  akeady  been  construed 
into  murder  on  the  part  of  the  brave  patriots  wlio  there 
defended  their  lives  and  rescued  their  fellow  citizens  from 
kidnappers  and  land  pirates,  while  the  pirates  themselves 
had  been  converted  into  loyal  militia. 

To  go  forward  was  freedom,  to  go  backward  was  to  be 
sent  to  General  Clark,  and  be  accused  of  the  highest 
crimes,  with  murderers  for  judge,  jury  and  executioners. 

"  Go  free  !"  whispered  the  tempter. 

"  No !"  said  I,  "  never,  while  brother  Joseph  and  his 
fellows  are  in  the  power  of  the  enemy.  What  a  storm  of 
trouble,   or  even  of  death,  it  might  subject  them  to." 

I  turned  on  my  heel,  retraced  my  steps,  and  entered 
the  hotel  ere  they  had  missed  me.  As  I  shook  the 
snow  off  my  clothes  the  keeper  and  also  brother  Joseph 
inquired  where  I  had  been.  I  replied,  just  out  for  a  little 
exercise.  A  walk  for  pleasure  in  such  a  storm  gave  rise 
to  some  pleasantries  on  their  part,  and  there  the  matter 
ended. 

There  was  one  thing  which  buoyed  up  our  spirits  con- 
tinually during  our  captivity:  it  was  the  remembrance  of 
the  word  of  the  Lord  to  brother  Joseph,  saying,  that  our 
lives  should  all  be  given  us  during  this  captivity,  and  not 
one  of  them  should  be  lost.  I  thought  of  this  while  in 
the  wilderness  vacillating  whether  to  go  or  stay,  and  the 
thought  struck  me  :  "fie  that  tvill  seek  to  save  his  life  shall 
lose  it;  hut  he  that  will  lose  his  life  for  my  sal<e  shall  ffid  it 
again,  even  life  eternaV  I  could  now  make  sure  of  my  part 
in  the  first  resurrection,  as  I  had  so  intensely  desired)  1 
when  about  eleven  years  old.  But,  O,  the  path  of  life  ! 
How  was  it  beset  with  trials  ! 

At  length,  after  repeated  demands,  we  were  sent  to 
General  Clark,  at  Eichmond,  Ray  County.    Generals  Lucas 


216      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  Wilson  had  tried  in  vain  for  some  days  to  get  a 
guard  to  accompany  us.  None  would  volunteer,  and  when 
drafted  they  would  not  obey  orders ;  for,  in  truth,  they 
wished  us  to  go  at  liberty.  At  last  a  colonel  and  two 
or  three  officers  started  with  us,  with  their  swords  and 
pistols,  which  were  intended  more  to  protect  us  than  to 
keep  us  from  escaping.  On  this  joiu'ney  some  of  us  rode 
in  carriages  and  some  on  horseback.  Sometimes  we  were 
sixty  or  eighty  rods  in  front  or  rear  of  our  guards,  who 
were  drinking  hard  out  of  bottles  which  they  carried  in 
their  pockets. 

At  night,  having  crossed  the  Missouri  River,  we  put  up 
at  a  private  house.  Here  our  guards  all  got  drunk,  and 
went  to  bed  and  to  sleep,  leaving  us  their  pistols  to  defend 
ourselves  in  case  of  any  attack  from  without,  as  we  were 
in  a  very  hostile  neighborhood.  Next  morning  we  rode  a 
few  miles,  and  were  met  by  an  express  from  General 
Clark,  which  consisted  of  one  Colonel  Sterling  Price  and 
a  guard  of  soldiers.  This  company  immediately  siu-rounded 
us  with  i)oised  pieces,  in  regidar  military  order,  as  if  we 
had  been  Buonaparte  and  staff  on  the  way  to  St.  Helena ; 
thinking,  perhaps,  that  if  we  should  escape,  the  whole 
United  States  and  all  Europe  would  be  immediately  over- 
thrown. 

In  this  manner  we  were  escorted  to  Eichmond,  the  head- 
quarters of  General  Clark  and  his  army  of  three  or  four 
thousand  men.  Here,  as  usual,  we  had  to  endure  the 
gaze  of  the  curious,  as  if  we  had  been  a  caravan  of 
animals  for  exhibition.  Troops  were  paraded  to  receive 
us,  which,  as  we  aj)proached,  opened  to  the  right  and 
left,  thus  forming  a  long  avenue,  tlirough  which  we  passed 
into  a  block  house,  and  were  immediately  put  in  chains, 
under  a  strong  guard,  who  stood  over  us  continually  with 
poised  pieces,  cocked  and  primed.  Colonel  Price  continued 
in  the  superintendence  of  the  prisoners  and  the   guards. 

General  Clark    at   length    called  to  see   us.      He  seemed 


AUTOBIOaEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      217 

more  haughty,  unfeeling,  and  reserved  than  even  Lucas  or 
Wilson  had  been  when  we  first  entered  their  camp.  We 
inquii-ed  of  the  general  what  were  his  intentions  concern- 
ing us.  I  stated  to  him  that  we  had  now  been  captives 
for  many  days,  and  we  knew  not  wherefore,  nor  whether 
we  were  considered  prisoners  of  war  or  prisoners  of  civil 
process,  or  ^^ prisoners  of  Jiope.^^  At  the  same  time  remark- 
ing, that  all  was  wrapt  in  mystery  ;  for,  as  citizens  of  the 
United  States  and  of  Missouri,  in  time  of  peace,  we  could 
in  nowise  be  considered  as  prisoners  of  war;  and,  with- 
out civil  process,  we  were  not  holdeu  by  civil  authority; 
and  as  to  being  "  prisoners  of  hope,"  there  was  not  much 
chance  to  hope,  from  our  present  appearances  ! 

He  replied  that  "  we  were  taken  to  he  tried." 

"  Tried  ?      By  what  authority  ?" 

"  By  court  martial." 

''  What !  Ministers  of  the  gospel  tried  by  court  martial ! 
Men  who  sustain  no  ofBce  in  militarj-  affairs,  and  who  are 
not  subject  by  law  to  military  duty  ;  such  men  to  be  tried 
by  court  martial  !  And  this  in  time  of  peace,  and  in  a 
republic  where  the  constitution  guaranteed  to  every  citizen 
the  right  of  trial  by  jury  ?" 

"  Yes.  This  is  in  accordance  with  the  treaty  of  stipula- 
tions entered  into  at  Far  West  at  the  time  of  the  sur- 
render, and  as  agreed  to  by  Colonel  Hiukle,  your  com- 
manding oificer." 

"  Colonel  Hinkle,  our  commanding  officer !  What  had  he 
to  do  with  our  civil  rights  ?  He  was  only  a  colonel  of  a 
regiment  of  the  Caldwell  County  Militia." 

"  Why  !  was  he  not  the  commanding  officer  of  the  fort- 
ress of  Far  West,  the  headquarters  of  the  Mormon  forces  V 

"  We  had  no  '-fortress''  or  ^Mormon  forces^  but  were  jjart 
of  the  State  militia." 

At  this  the  general  seemed  surprised,  and  the  conversa- 
tion  ended. 

We    were    astonished    above    measure    at    proceedings    so 


218 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


Utterly  ignorant  and  devoid  of  all  law  or  justice.  Here  was 
a  Major-General,  selected  by  the  Governor  of  Missouin,  and 
sent  to  banish  or  exterminate  a  religious  society.  And  then, 
to  crown  the  whole  with  inconceivable  absurdity,  said  reli- 
oious  society  is  converted  by  this  officer  and  his  associates 
hito  an  independent  government,  or  foreign  nation.  And 
last,  and  equally  absurd,  the  State  of  Missouri  assumed  her 
independence  of  the  Federal  Government  so  far  as  to  treat 
with  this  imaginary  "  ilfom^m  Umpire^^  or  foreign  nation. 
A  colonel  of  militia,  subordinate  to  the  general  then  jn 
the  held,  is  converted  into  a  foreign  minister,  an  envoy 
extraordmary,  in  behalf  of  the  "Mormon  Empire,"  to  enter 
into  treaty  stipulations  with  his  Missouri  majesty's  forces, 
under  Generals  Lucas,  Wilson  and  Clark  ! 

The  Citj^  of  Far  West,  the  capital  of  '' Mormonia,''  is 
the  "  Ghent;'  where  this  treaty  of  peace  is  ratified.  The 
standing  army  of  the  conquered  nation  stack  their  arms, 
which  are  carried  in  triumph  to  Kichmond.  Preachers  of 
the  gospel  are  converted  into  "rtoftte"  or  ^^  royal  prisoners;^ 
chained  to  the  car  of  the  \nctorious  champions  to  be  led 
captive  as  sport  for  the  Philistines,  or  to  be  shot  or 
hung  at  pleasure,  while  the  residue  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  fallen  empire— men,  women  and  children— are  to  have 
their  real  estate  and  all  other  goods  confiscated,  and  them- 
selves banished  the  State  on  pain  of  death.  A  few,  how- 
ever, are  selected  from  among  these  exiles  to  be  im- 
prisoned or    executed  at  the  mere  dictation  of   a  l^ero  or 

a  Nicholas. 

Was  this  in  America,  in  the  nineteenth  century?  Were 
these  scenes  transacted  in  a  constitutional  republic?  Yes, 
verily,  and  worse,— a  tale  of  horror,  of  woe,  of  long 
years  of  lawless  outrage  and  tyranny  is  yet  to  be  told, 
of  which  this  is  a  mere  stepping  stone  or  entering  wedge. 


CHAPTER    XXIV 


MASSACRE    AT    HAUN'S     MILL. 


WE  here  introduce  the  testiniouy  of  Joseph  Young, 
an  eye  witness  of  one  of  the  most  awful  scenes 
which  ever  stained  the  annals  of  history  in  any  age  or 
country. 

"  The  following  is  a  short  history  of  my  travels  to  the 
State  of  Missoiu-i,  and  of  a  bloody  tragedy  enacted  at 
Haun's  MiU,  on    Shoal   Creek,  October  30,  1838: 

"  On  the  6th  of  Jidy  last  I  started  with  my  family 
from  Eortland,  Ohio,  for  Missouri — the  county  of  Caldwell, 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  State,  being  the  place  of  my 
destination.  On  the  13th  of  October  I  crossed  the  JNIis- 
sissippi  at  Louisiraia,  at  which  place  I  heard  vague 
reports  of  the  disturbances  in  the  upper  country,  but 
nothing  that  could    be  relied  on. 

"  I  continued  my  coiu^se  westward  till  I  crossed  Grand 
Eiver,  at  a  place  called  Compton's  Ferry,  where  I  heard 
for  the  first  time  that  if  I  proceeded  any  further  on  my 
journey*  I  would  be  in  danger  of  being  stopped  by  a 
body  of   armed  men. 

"  I  was  not  willing,  however,  while  treading  my  native 
soil  and  breathing  republican  air,  to  abandon  my  object, 
which  was  to  locate  myself  and  family  in  a  fine,  healthy 
country,  where  we  could  enjoy  the  society  of  our  friends 
and  connections.  Consequently,  I  prosecuted  my  joiu'ney 
till  I  came  to  Whitney's  Mills,  situated  on  Shoal  Creek, 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Caldwell  County.  After  crossing 
the  creek  and    going    about    three    miles  we  met  a  party 


220      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

of  the  mob,  about  forty  in  uumber,  armed  with  rifles  and 
mounted  on  horses,  who  informed  us  that  we  could  go 
no  further  west,  threatening  us  with  instant  death  if  we 
proceeded  any  further. 

"I  asked  them  the  reason  of  this  prohibition,  to  which 
they  repUed  that  we  were  '  Mormons,^  and  that  every  one 
who  adhered  to  that  religious  faith  would  have  to  leave  the 
State  Avithin  ten  days,  or  renounce  their  reUgion.  Accord- 
ingly, they  drove  us  back  to  the  mills  above  mentioned. 

"Here  we  tarried  three  days,  and  on  Friday,  the  26th, 
we  recrossed  the  creek,  and,  foUowing  up  its  banks,  we 
succeeded  in  eluding  the  mob  for  the  time  being,  and 
gained  the  residence  of  a  friend  in  Myers'  Settlement. 
On  Sunday,  October  28,  we  arrived  at  Haun's  Mill,  where 
we  found  a  number  of  our  friends  collected,  who  were  . 
holding  a  council  and  deliberating  upon  the  best  course 
for  them  to  piu\sue  to  defend  themselves  against  the  mob 
who  were  collecting  in  the  neighborhood  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Jennings,  of  Livingston,  and  threatening 
them   with  house  burning  and  killing. 

"The  decision  of  the  council  was  that  the  neighbor- 
hood should  put  itself  in  a  state  of  defence.  Accordmgly 
about  twenty-eight  of  our  men  armed  themselves,  and 
were  in  constant  readiness  for  an  attack,  if  any  small 
body  of  mobbers  might  come  upon  them. 

"The  same  evening,  for  some  reason  best  known  to 
themselves,  the  mob  sent  one  of  their  number  to  enter 
into  a  treaty  with  our  friends,  which  was  accepted  on  the 
condition  of  mutual  forbearance  on  both  sides,  and  that 
each  party,  as  far  as  their  influence  extended,  should 
exert  themselves  to  prevent  any  further  hostilities. 

"At  this  time,  however,  there  was  another  mob  col- 
lecting on  Grand  River,  at  William  Mann's,  which  was 
threatening  us;  consequently,  we  remained  under  arms  on 
Monday,  the  29th,  which  passed  away  without  molestation 
from  any  quarter. 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      221 

"  On  Tuesday,  the  30tli,  that  bloody  tragedy  was  enacted, 
the  scenes  of   which  I   shall  never  forget. 

"More  than  three  fourths  of  the  day  had  passed  in 
tranquillity  as  smiling  as  the  preceding  one.  I  think  there 
was  no  individual  of  our  company  that  was  apprised  of 
the  sudden  and  awful  fate  which  hung  over  our  heads 
like  an  overwhelming  torrent,  and  which  was  to  change 
the  prospects,  the  feelings  and  sympathies  of  about  thirty 
families. 

"  The  banks  of  Shoal  Creek,  on  either  side,  teemed 
with  children  sporting  and  playing,  while  their  mothers 
were  engaged  in  domestic  employments.  Fathers  or  hus- 
bands were  either  on  guard  about  the  mills  or  other 
property,  or  employed  in  gathering  crops  for  winter  con- 
sumption. The  weather  was  very  pleasant,  the ,  sun  shone 
clearly,  all  was  tranquil,  and  no  one  expressed  any  appre- 
hension of  the  awful  crisis  that  was  near  us,  even  at  our 
doors. 

"  It  was  about  4  o'clock,  P.  M.,  while  sitting  in  my  cabin 
with  my  babe  in  my  arms,  and  my  wife  standing  by  my 
side,  the  door  being  open,  I  cast  my  eyes  on  the  opposite 
bank  of  Shoal  Creek,  and  saw  a  large  body  of  armed  men 
on  horses  directing  their  course  towards  the  mills  with 
all  possible  speed.  As  they  advanced  through  the  scatter- 
ing trees  that  bordered  the  prairie  they  seemed  to  form 
themselves  into  a  three  square  position,  forming  a  vanguard 
in  front.  At  this  moment,  David  Evans,  seeing  the  supe- 
riority of  their  numbers  (there  being  two  hundred  and  forty 
of  them,  according  to  their  own  accoimt),  gave  a  signal 
and  cried  for  peace.  This  not  being  heeded  they  continued 
to  advance,  and  their  leader,  a  man  named  Comstock,  fired 
a  gun,  which  was  followed  by  a  solemn  pause  of  about 
ten  or  twelve  seconds ;  when  all  at  once  they  discharged 
about  one  hundred  rifles,  aiming  at  a  blacksmith's  shop, 
into  which  our  friends  fled  for  safety.  They  then  charged 
up  to  the  shop,    the  crevices    of  which,   between   the  logs 


222      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

were  sufficiently  large  to  enable  them  to  aim  directly  at 
the  bodies  of  those  who  had  there  fled  for  refuge  from 
the  fire  of  their  murderers.  There  were  several  families 
tented  in  the  rear  of  the  shop  whose  lives  were  exposed, 
and,  amid  showers  of  bullets,  fled  to  the  woods  in  different 

directions. 

"After  standing  and  gazing  at  this  bloody  scene  for  a 
few  minutes,  and  fintUng  myself  in  the  uttermost  danger, 
the  bullets  having  reached  the  house  where  I  was  living, 
I  committed  my  famHy  to  the  protection  of  Heaven;  and, 
leaving  the  house  on  the  opposite  side,  I  took  a  path 
which  led  up  the  hiU,  foUowing  in  the  trail  of  three  of 
my  brethren  that    had  fled  fi'om  the  shop. 

"While  ascending  the  hill  we  were  discovered  by  the 
mob,  who  immediately  fired  at  us,  and  continued  so  to  do 
tm  we  reached  the  summit.  In  descending  the  hUl  I  se- 
creted myself  in  a  thicket  of  bushes,  where  I  lay  tiU 
8  o'clock  in  the  evening.  At  this  time  I  heard  a  voice 
calling  my  name  in  an  undertone.  I  immediately  left  the 
thicket  and  went  to  the  house  of  Benjamin  Lewis,  where 
I  found  my  family— who  had  fled  there  in  safety— and  two 
of  my  friends,  mortaUy  wounded,  one  of  whom  died  before 
morning.  Here  we  passed  the  painful  night  in  deep  and 
awful  reflections  on  the  scenes  of  the  preceding  evening. 
After  daylight  appeared  some  fom-  or  five  men,  with  my- 
self, who  had  escaped  with  om-  lives  from  this  horrid 
massacre,  repaired  as  soon  as  possible  to  the  mills  to  learn 
the  condition  of  our  friends,  whose  fate  we  had  but  too 
truly  anticipated. 

"  Wlien  we  arrived  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Haun,  we  found 
Mr.  Merrick's  body  lying  in  the  rear  of  the  house;  Mr. 
McBride's  in  front,  literaUy  mangled  from  head  to  foot.  We 
were  informed  by  Miss  Eebecca  Judd,  who  was  an  eye  wit- 
ness, that  he  was  shot  with  his  own  giin  after  he  had 
given  it  up,  and  then  cut  to  pieces  with  a  com  cutter  by 
a  man  named  Rogers,  of  Davies  County,  who  keeps  a  ferry 


AUTOBIOGrRAPHY     OF     PARLEY    P.     PRATT.  223 

on  Grand  river,  and  who  has  since  repeatedly  boasted  of 
this  act  of  savage  barbarity.  Mr.  York's  body  we  found  in 
the  house.  After  viewing  these  cori)ses  we  immediately 
went  to  the  blacksmith's  shop,  where  we  found  nine  of  our 
friends,  eight  of  whom  were  already  dead — the  other,  Mr. 
Cox,  of  Indiana,  hi  the  agonies  of  death,  who  soon  expired. 

"We  immediately  prepared  and  carried  them  to  the  place 
of  interment.  This  last  ofiftce  of  kindness  due  to  the 
remains  of  departed  friends  was  not  attended  with  the  cus- 
tomary ceremonies  nor  decency ;  for  we  were  in  jeopardy, 
every  moment  expecting  to  be  fired  on  by  the  mob,  who, 
we  supposed,  were  lying  in  ambush,  waiting  the  first  op- 
portunity to  despatch  the  remaining  few  who  were  provi- 
dentially preserved  from  the  slaughter  of  the  preceding- 
day.  However,  we  accomiilished  without  molestation  this 
painful  task.  The  place  of  burial  was  a  vault  in  the 
ground,  formerly  intended  for  a  well,  into  which  we  threw 
the  bodies  of  our  friends  jiromiscuously. 

"  Among  the  slain  I  will  mention  Sardius  Smith,  son  of 
Warren  Smith,  about  nine  years  old,  who,  tlirough  feai, 
had  crawled  under  the  beUows  in  the  shop,  where  ho 
remained  till  the  massacre  was  over,  when  he  was  discov- 
ered by  one  Glaze,  of  Carroll  County,  who  presented  a  rifle 
near  his  head  and  literally  t)lew  oft'  the  upper  part  of  it. 
Mr.  Stanley,  of  Carroll  County,  told  me  afterwards  that 
Glaze  boasted  of  this  fiend  like  murder  and  heroic  deed  all 
over  the  country. 

"  The  number  killed  and  mortally  wounded  in  this  wan- 
ton slaughter  was  eighteen  or  nineteen,  whose  names,  as 
far  as  I  can  recollect,  were  as  follows :  Thomas  McBride, 
Levi  Merrick,  Elias  Benuer,  Josiah  Fidler,  Benjamin  Le^is, 
Alexander  Campbell,  Warren  Smith,  Sardius  Smith,  George 
Richards,  Mr.  Napier,  Mr.  Harmer,  Mr.  Cox,  Mr.  Abbott, 
Mr.  York,  Wm.  Merrick  (a  boy  eight  or  nine  years  old), 
and  three  or  four  others  whose  names  I  do  not  recollect, 
as  they  were  strangers  to  me. 


224      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

"Among  the  wounded  who  recovered  were  Isaac  Laney, 
Nathan  K.  Knight,  Mr.  Tokum,  two  brothers  by  the  name 
of  Myers,  Tarlton  Lewis,  Mr.  Haun  and  several  others. 
Miss  Mary  Stedwell,  while  fleeing,  was  shot  through  the 
hand,  and,  fainting,  fell  over  a  log,  into  which  they  shot 
upwards  of  twenty  balls. 

"  To  finish  their  work  of  destruction,  this  band  of  mur- 
derers composed  of  men  from  Davies,  Livingston,  Eay, 
Carroll  and  Chariton  Counties,  led  by  some  of  the  princi- 
pal men  of  that  section  ot  the  upper  country  (among 
whom,  I  am  informed,  were  Mr.  Ashby,  from  Chariton, 
member  of  the  State  legislature ;  Col.  Jennings,  of  Living- 
ston County;  Thos.  O'Brj^on,  Clerk  of  Livingston  County; 
Mr.  Whitney,  Dr.  Kandall  and  many  others),  proceeded  to 
rob  the  houses,  wagons  and  tents  of  bedding  and  clothing ; 
drove  off  horses  and  wagons,  leaving  widows  and  orphans 
destitute  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  even  stripped  the 
clothing  from  the  bodies  of  the  slain! 

"  According  to  their  own  account  they  fired  seven  rounds  in 
this  awful  butchery;  making  upwards  of  sixteen  hundred 
shots,   at  a  little  company  of  inen  about  thirty  in  number. 

"  I  hereby  certiiy  the  above  to  be  a  true  statement  of 
facts,   according  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge. 

•  "  Joseph  Young." 

''  State  of  Illinois,  ) 

County  of  Adams.     ] 

"  I  hereby  certify  that  Joseph  Yoimg  this  day  came 
before  me,  and  made  oath  in  due  form  of  law,  that  the 
statements  contained  in  the  foregoing  sheets  are  true,  ac- 
cording to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  belief.  In 
testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  and 
afiaxed  the  seal  of  the  Circuit  Court  at  Quincy,  this 
fourth  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou-, 
sand    eight    hundred    and    thirty -nine. 

"  C.  M.  Woods, 
"  Clerli  of  Circuit   Court  of  Adams  Co.,  IIV^ 


CHAPTER    XXY. 

Speech   of     Major-General   Clark,    Delivered    at   Far  West    while    its     Citizens 
were  lield   as   Prisoners,    November,     1838. 

"  /^  ENTLEMEN :  You,  whose  names  are  not  on  this 
^^^  list,  will  now  have  the  privilege  of  going  to  your 
fields  to  obtain  grain  for  your  families— wood,  etc.  Those 
that  compose  the  list  will  go  from  thence  to  prison,  to  be 
tried,  and  receive  the  due  demerits  of  their  crimes.  But 
you  are  now  at  liberty,  all  but  such  as  charges  may  here- 
after be  preferred  against.  It  now  devolves  upon  you  to 
ftilfil  the  treaty  that  you  have  entered  into— the  leading 
items  of  which  I  now  lay  before  you. 

"  The  first  of  these  items  you  have  already  complied 
with— which  is,  that  you  deUver  up  your  leading  men  to 
be  tried  according  to  law.  Second,  that  you  deliver  up 
your  arms— this  has  been  attended  to.  The  third  is,  that 
you  sign  over  your  property  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
the  war  5  this  you  have  also  done.  Another  thing  yet 
remains  for  you  to  comply  with  ;  that  is :  that  you  leave 
the  State  forthwith  ;  and,  whatever  yoiu-  feeliugs  concern- 
ing this  affair,  whatever  your  innocence,  it  is  nothing  to 
me.  General  Lucas,  who  is  equal  in  authority  with  me 
has  made  this  treaty  with  you.  I  am  determined  to  see 
it  executed. 

"The  orders  of  the  Governor  to  me,  were,  that  you 
should  be  exterminated,  and  not  allowed  to  remain  in  the 
State.  And  had  your  leaders  not  been  given  up,  and 
the  treaty  complied  with  before  this,  you  and  your  fami- 
lies   would  have  been  destroyed  and  your  houses  in  ashes. 

16 


226 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT. 


"  There  is  a  discretionary  power  resting  in  my  hands, 
which  I  shall  try  to  exercise  for  a  season.  I  did  not 
say  that  you  must  go  now,  but  you  must  not  think  of 
stopping  here  another  season,  or  of  i^utting  in  crops  ;  for 
the  moment  you  do  the  citizens  will  be  upon  you. 
I  am  determined  to  see  the  Governor's  orders  fulfilled,  but 
shall  not  come  ui)on  you  inunediately.  Do  not  think 
that  I  shall  act  as  I  have  done  any  more  j  but  if  I  have 
to  come  again  because  the  treaty  which  you  have  made 
is  not  complied  with,  you  need  not  expect  any  mercy,  but 
extermination;  for  I  am  determined  that  the  Governor's 
order  shall  be  executed. 

"As  for  your  leaders,  do  not  think,  do  not  imagine  for 
a  moment,  do  not  let  it  enter  your  mind  that  they  Avill 
be  delivered,  or  that  you  will  see  their  faces  again,  for 
their  fate  is  fixed,  their  die  is  cast,  their  doom  is  sealed. 

"  I  am  sorry,  gentlemen,  to  see  so  great  a  number  of 
apparently  intelligent  men  found  in  the  situation  that  you 
are.  And,  oh!  that  I  could  invoke  the  Spirit  of  the  un- 
known God  to  rest  upon  you,  and  deliver  you  from  that 
awful  chain  of  superstition,  and  liberate  you  from  those 
fetters  of  fanaticism  with  which  you  are  bound.  I  would 
advise  you  to  scatter  abroad  and  never  again  organize 
with  bishops,  presidents,  etc.,  lest  you  excite  the  jealous- 
ies of  the  people,  and  subject  yom-selves  to  the  same  ca- 
lamities that  have  now  come  upon  you. 

"  You  have  always  been  the  aggressors ;  you  have 
brought  upon  yourselves  these  difficulties  by  being  dis- 
affected, and  not  being  subject  to  rule  ;  and  my  advice  is, 
that  you  become  as  other  citizens,  lest  by  a  recurrence 
of  these  events  you  bring  upon  yourselves  inevitable  ruin." 


CHAPTER    XXVI, 

The  Prisoners  :— Second  Interview  with  General  Clark  : — Inquisition  :— Sick. 
nes3  of  Elder  Rigdon .-—Colonel  Price  and  Guards :— Their  Conduct:— 
Rebuke  by  Joseph  Smith:— Trial  :—SunUarit7  between  King  Herod  and 
Governor  Boggs :— Judge  Austin  A.  King  in  Open  Court  Threatens 
a  Wholesale  Extermmation  of  the  "  Mormons:"— Other  Prisoners  Ob- 
tained by  Stratagem — Advice  of  General  Doniphan,  Attorney  for  the 
Prisoners  :— Decision  :— Disposal  of  the  Prisoners  :— Might  of  the  Church 
to  Dhnois  :— Conduct  of  tlie   Outlaws  :— My   Family  Visits  me  in  Prison. 

"T  MUST  not  forget  to  state  that  when  we  arrived  in 
-L  Eichmond  as  prisoners  there  were  some  fifty  others, 
mostly  heads  of  families,  who  had  been  marched  from 
Caldwell  on  foot  (distance  30  miles),  and  were  now  penned 
up  in  a  cold,  open,  unfinished  court  house,  in  which  situ- 
ation they  remained  for  some  weeks,  while  theii-  families 
were  suffering  severe  privations. 

The  next  morning  after  our  dialogue  ^vith  General  Clark 
he  again  entered  our  prison  and  informed  us  that  he  had 
concluded  to  deliver  us  over  to  the  civil  authorities  for  an 
examining  trial.  He  was  then  asked  why  he  did  not  do 
away  with,  the  unlawful  decree  of  banishment,  which  was  first 
ordered  by  General  Lucas,  in  compliance  with  the  Gover- 
nor's order,  and  which  compelled  thousands  of  citizens  to 
leave  the  State.  Or  upon  what  principle  the  military 
power  aided  the  civil  law  against  us,  while  at  the  same 
time  it  caused  our  families  and  friends  to  be  murdei-ed, 
plundered  and  driven,   contrary  to  all  law  ! 

He  replied  that  he  approved  of  all  the  proceedings  of 
General  Lucas,  and  should   not    alter  them.      I  make  this 


228      AUTOBIOGRAPHY   OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

statement  because  some  writers  have  commended  Clark  for 
his  heroic,  merciful,  and  i)rudent  conduct  towards  our 
society,  and  have  endeavored  to  make  it  appear  that  Clark 
was  not  to  be  blamed  for  any  of  the  measures  of  Lucas. 

The  Court  of  Inquiry  now  commenced,  before  Judge 
Austin  A.  King.  This  continued  from  the  11th  to  28th 
of  Xovember,  during  which  we  were  kept  most  of  the  time 
in  chains,  and  our  brethren,  some  fifty  in  number,  were 
])enned  up  in  the  cold,  dreary  court  house.  It  was  a  very 
severe  time  of  snow  and  winter  weather,  and  we  suffered 
much.  During  this  time  Elder  Eigdon  was  taken  very 
sick,  from  hardship  and  exposure,  and  finally  lost  his 
reason ;  but  still  he  was  kept  in  a  miserable,  noisy  and 
cold  room,  and  compelled  to  sleep  on  the  floor  with  a 
chain  and  padlock  round  his  ankle,  and  fastened  to  six 
others.  Here  he  endured  the  constant  noise  and  confusion 
of  an  unruly  guard,  the  officer  of  which  was  Colonel  Ster- 
ling Price,   since  Governor  of  the  State. 

These  gaiards  were  composed  generally  of  the  most  noisy, 
foul-mouthed,    \Tilgar,    disgraceful   rabble   that  ever    defiled 
the  earth.      "While    he  lay  in    this   situation  his   son-in-law, 
George  W.  Robinson,  the  only  male  member  of  his  family, 
was    chained    by    his    side.      Thus    Mrs.    Eigdon    and    her 
daughters    were    left    entirely    destitute    and    unprotected. 
One  of  his  daughters,  Mrs.  Eobinson,  a  yoimg  and  deUcate 
female,   with  her  little  infant,   came  down    to   see  her  hus- 
band,  and  to  comfort  and  take   care   of  her   father  in  his 
^^    sickness.     When  she  first  entered  the  room,  amid  the  clank 
^^     \of  chains   and  the  rattle  of  weapons,  and  cast  her  eyes  on 
y>*her  sick  and  dejected  parent  and  sorrow  worn  husband,  she 
t*"      was  speechless,    and   only    gave  A^ent   to  her   feelings   in  a 
j^'^  flood  of  tears.      Tl^is   faithful    i.ady.    with  her   little  infant, 
f     ^   continued  by  the   side  of  her  father  till  he  recovered  from 
{v>      his     sickness,    and    till    his    fevered    and    disordered    mind 
^  resumed  its  wonted  powers. 

■~~^^      In    one  of    those    tedious    nights    we    had    lain    as    if   in 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      229 

sleep  till  the  hour  of  luidniglit  liad  passed,  and  our  ears 
and  hearts  had  been  pained,  while  we  had  listened  for 
horns  to  the  obscene  jests,  the  horrid  oaths,  the  dreadful 
blasphemies  and  filthy  language  of  our  guards,  Colonel 
Price  at  their  head,  as  they  recounted  to  each  other  their 
deeds  of  rapine,  murder,  robbery,  etc.,  which  they  had  com- 
mitted among  the  "  Mormons "  while  at  Far  West  and 
vicmity.  They  even  boasted  of  defiling  by  force  wives, 
daughters  and  virgins,  and  of  shooting  or  dashing  out  the 
brains  of  men,  women  and  children. 

I  had  listened  till  I  became  so  disgusted,  shocked,  hor- 
rified, and  so  filled  with  the  spirit  of  indigiiant  justice 
that  I  coidd  scarcely  refrain  from  rising  upon  my  feet  and 
rebuking  the  guards  ;  but  had  said  nothing  to  Joseph,  or 
any  one  else,  although  I  lay  next  to  him  and  knew  he 
was  awake.  On  a  sudden  he  arose  to  his  feet,  and  spoke 
in  a  voice  of  thunder,  or  as  the  roaring  Hon,  uttering,  as 
near  as  I  can  recollect,   the  following  words  : 

"  SILENCE^  ye  fiends  of  the  infernal  pit.  In  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  I  rehiike  you.,  and  command  you  to  he  still ;  I  icill 
not  lire  another  minute  and  hear  such  languaije.  Cease  s^dh 
tall;  or  you  or  I  die  THIS  WSTAWT  T 

He  ceased  to  speak.  He  stood  erect  in  terrible  majestyJ 
Chained,  and  without  a  weapon  ;  caku,  unruffled  and  dig- 
nified as  an  angel,  he  looked  upon  the  quailing  guards, 
whose  weapons  were  lowered  or  dropped  to  the  ground ; 
whose  knees  smote  together,  and  who,  shrinking  into  a 
corner,  or  crouching  at  his  feet,  begged  his  pardon,  and 
remained  quiet  till  a  change  of  guards. 

I  have  seen  the  ministers  of  justice,  clothed  in  magis- 
terial robes,  and  criminals  arraigned  before  them,  while  life 
was  suspended  on  a  breath,  in  the  Courts  of  England  ;  I 
have  witnessed  a  Congress  in  solemn  session  to  give  laws 
to  nations ;  I  have  tried  to  conceive  of  kings,  of  royal 
courts,  of  thrones  and  crowus  ;  and  of  emperors  assembled 
to  decide  the  fate  of  kingdoms  ;    but  dignity  and  majesty 


230      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

have   I   seen  but  once,   as  it  stood   in  cliains,   at  midnight, 
in  a  dungeon  in  an  obscure  village  of  Missouri. 

In  this  mock  Court  of  Inquiry  the  Judge  could  not  be 
prevailed  on  to  examine  the  conduct  of  the  murderers  and 
robbers  who  had  desolated  our  society,  nor  would  he 
receive  testimony  except  against  us.  By  the  dissenters 
and  apostates  who  wished  to  save  their  own  lives  and 
secure  thek  property  at  the  expense  of  others,  and  by 
those  who  had  murdered  and  plundered  us  from  time  to 
time,  he  obtained  abundance  of  testimony,  much  of  which 
was  entirely  false.  Our  Church  organization  was  converted 
by  such  testimony  into  a  temporal  kingdom,  which  was  to 
mi  the  whole  earth  and  subdue  all  other  kingdoms. 

This  Court  of  Inquisition  inquii'ed  diligently  into  our 
belief  of  the  seventh  chapter  of  Daniel  concerning  the 
kingdom  of  God,  which  should  subdue  aU  other  kingdoms 
and  stand  forever.  And  when  told  that  we  beheved  in 
that  prophecy,  the  Court  turned  to  the  clerk  and  said: 
"  Write  tJiat  down;  it  is  a  strong  point  for  treason:^  Our 
lawyer  observed  as  foUows  :  "  Judge,  you  had  better  make 
t^  Bible  treason."     The  Court  made  no  reply. 

These  texts  and  many  others  were  inquired  into  with  all 
the  eagerness  and  apparent  alarm  which  characterized  a 
Herod  of  old  m  relation  to  the  babe  of  Bethlehem,  the 
King  of  the  Jews. 

The  ancient  Herod,  fearing  a  rival  hi  the  person  of 
Jesus,  issued  his  exterminating  order  for  the  murder  of 
all  the  children  of  Bethlehem  from  two  years  old  and 
under,  with  a  view  to  hinder  the  fulfilment  of  a  prophecy 
which  he  Mmself  beheved  to  be  true. 

The  modern  Herod  (Boggs),  fearing  a  rival  kingdom  in 
"  tlie  people  of  the  Saints  of  the  Most  Sigh,^'  issued  his  ex- 
terminating order  for  the  murder  of  the  young  children 
of  an  entire  people,  and  of  their  mothers  as  weU  as  fath- 
ers, while  this  Court  of  Inquisition  inquired  as  dihgently 
into    the    one    prophecy    as    his    predecessor    did  into  the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      231 

other.  These  parallel  actions  go  to  show  a  strong  belief 
in  the  prophecies  on  the  part  of  the  actors  in  both  cases. 
Both  believed,  and  feared,  and  trembled ;  both  hardened 
their  hearts  against  that  which  their  better  jndgment  told 
them  was  true.  Both  were  instigated  by  the  devil  to 
cause  innocent  blood  to  be  shed.  And  marvellously  strik- 
ing is  the  parallel  in  the  final  result  of  the  actions  of 
each. 

The  one  slew  many  young  children,  but  failed  to  de- 
stroy the  infant  King  of  the  Jews. 

The  other  slew  many  men,  women  and  children,  but  failed 
to  destroy  the  Kingdom  of  God. 

The  one  found  a  timely  refuge  in  Egy^st. 

The  other  in  Illinois. 

Jesus  Christ  fulfilled  his  destiny,  and  will  reign  over  the 
Jews,  and  sit  on  the  throne  of  his  father,  David,  forever. 

The  Saints  are  growing  into  power  amid  the  strongholds 
of  the  mountains  of  Deseret,  and  will  surely  take  the 
liingdom,  and  the  greatness  of  the  Kingdom,  under  the 
whole  Heaven. 

Who  can  withstand  the  Almighty,  or  frustrate  his  pur- 
poses"?  Herod  died  of  a  loathsome  disease,  and  transmitted 
to  posterity  his  fame  as  a  tyrant  and  murderer.  And 
Lilburn  W.  Boggs  is  dragging  out  a  remnant  of  existence 
in  California,  with  the  mark  of  Cain  upon  his  brow,  and 
the  fear  of  Cain  within  his  heart,  lest  he  that  findeth  him 
shall  slay  him.  He  is  a  li\'ing  stink,  and  will  go  down 
to  ijosterity  with  the  credit  of  a  wholesale  murderer. 

The  Court  also  inquired  diligently  into  our  missionary 
operations.  It  .was  found,  on  investigation,  that  the  Church 
had  sent  missionaries  into  England  and  other  foreign 
countries.  This,  together  with  our  belief  in  the  Bible, 
was  construed  into  treason  against  the  State  of  Missouri, 
whUe  every  act  of  defence  was  set  down  as  murder,  etc. 
The  Judge,  in  open  court,  while  addressing  a  witness,  pro- 
claimed, that  if  the  members  of  the  Church  remained  on 


232      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

their  lands  to  put  iu  another  crop  thity  should  be  de- 
stroyed indiscriminately,  and  their  hones  be  left  to  bleach 
on  the  plains  without  a  burial.  Yes,  reader,  the  cultiva- 
tion of  lands  held  by  patents  issued  by  the  United  States 
land  office,  and  signed  by  the  President  of  the  Eepublic, 
was,  by  Judge  Austin  A.  King,  in  open  court,  pronounced 
a  capital  offence,  for  which  a  whole  community  were  pre- 
judged and  sentenced  to  death.  While  those  who  should 
be  the  instruments  to  execute  this  sentence  were  called  by 
the  dignified  name  of  citizens,  and  these  good  citizens 
afterwards  elected  that  same  Judge  for  Governor  of  the 
State. 

The  Judge  inquired  of  the  prisoners  if  they  wished  to 
introduce  any  witnesses  for  the  defence.  A  list  of  names 
was  supplied  by  the  prisoners,  when,  who  should  be  se- 
lected to  go  to  Far  West  to  obtain  and  bring  them  be- 
fore the  Court,  but  the  identi(^-al  bandit,  Bogart,  and  his 
gang,  who  were  defeated  by  us  in  the  battle  of  Crooked 
Eiver,  after  they  had  become  famous  for  kidnapping,  plun- 
dering and  murdering ! 

Of  course,  every  man  in  Caldwell  would  flee  from  such 
a  gang  if  they  could  ;  but  he  succeeded  in  captiuing  a 
few  of  our  friends,  whose  names  were  on  the  hst,  and 
bringing  them  before  the  Court,  when,  instead  of  being 
sworn,  they  were  immediately  ordered  to  prison  to  take 
their  trial.  Others  were  sent  for,  and,  as  far  as  found, 
shared  the  same  fate.  This  manoeuvre  occupied  several 
days,  during  which  the  Coiu-t  was  still  in  session,  and 
the  fate  of  the  jmsoners  suspended. 

r  At  length  the  Judge  exclaimed  to  the  prisoners  :  "  If  you 
have  any  witnesses  bring  them  forward ;  the  Court  can- 
not delay  forever — it  has  waited  several  days  already." 
A  member  of  the  Church,  named  Allen,  was  just  then 
seen  to  pass  the  window.  The  prisoners  requested  that 
he  might  be  introduced  and  sworn.  He  was  immediately 
called  in  and  sworn.      He    began    to    give    his  testimony, 


AITTOBIOGRA.PHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  233 

which  weut  to  establish  the  innocence  of  the  prisoners, 
and  to  show  "the  murders,  robberies,  etc.,  committed  by 
their  accusers.  But  he  was  suddenly  interrupted  and  cut 
short  by  cries  of  ^^  Put  Mm  out;''  ''Kick  Jmn  outf  ^' G—d 
(1—n  Mm,  shoot  Mm;''  ''Kill  Mm,  d—n  Mm,  Mil  Mm;" 
^'He's  a  d—d  Mormon." 

The  Court  then  ordered  the  guard  to  put  him  out, 
which  was  done  amid  the  yells,  threats,  insidts  and  ^iolence 
of  the  mob  who  thronged  in  and  around  the  court  house. 
He  barely  escaped  with  his  life.  Mr.  Doniphan,  attorney 
for  the  defence,  and  since  famed  as  a  general  in  the 
Mexican  war,  finally  advised  the  prisoners  to  offer  no^ 
defence ;  "  for,"  said  he,  '^  though  a  legion  of  angels 
from  the  opening  heavens  should  declare  your  innocence, 
the  Coiu't  and  populace  have  decreed  your  destruction." 
Oiu'  Attorney  offered  no  defence,  and  thus  the  matter  of 
our  trials  was  finally  submitted.  -     ' 

By  the  decision  of  this  mock  Court  some  twenty  or 
thirty  of  the  accused  were  dismissed,  among  whom  was 
Amasa  Lyman.  Some  twenty  others  were  suffered  to  be 
bailed  out,  and  themselves  and  bail  both  forced  to  leave 
the  State,  thus  forfeiting  the  bail  bonds,  while  Joseph 
Smith,  Hyrum  Smith,  Sidney  Eigdon,  Lyman  Wight,  Caleb 
Baldwin  and  Alexander  McRaf  (all  heads  of  families)  were 
committed  to  the  jail  of  Clay  County  on  the  charge  of  trea- 
son;  and  Morris  Phelps,  Lyman  Gibbs,  Darwin  Chase,  :N"or- 
man  Shearer  and  myself  were  committed  to  the  jail  of 
Richmond,  Ray  County,  for  the  alleged  crime  of  murder, 
said  to  be  committed  in  the  act  of  dispersing  the  bandit, 
Bogart,  and  his  gang. 

This  done,  the  civil  and  mihtary  authorities  dispersed, 
and  the  troubled  waters  became  a  Uttle  more  tranquil. 

As  our  people  were  compelled  by  the  memorable  <'  Treaty 
of  Far  West''  to  leave  the  State  by  the  foUowing  spring, 
they  now  commenced  movmg  by  hundreds  and  by  thousands 
to  the   State  of   Illinois,    where   they    were   received  in  the 


234       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

most  humane  aud  friendly  manner  by  the  authorities,  and 
by  the  citizens  in  general.  In  the  meantime  bands  of 
murderers,  thieves  and  robbers  were  roaming  unrestrained 
among  the  unarmed  aud  defenceless  citizens,  committing 
all  manner  of  jdunder,  and  driving  off  cattle,  sheep  and 
horses,  abusing   and  insulting  women. 

My  wife  and  children  soon  came  to  me  in  prison,  aud 
spent  a  portion  of  the  winter  in  the  cold,  dark  dungeon, 
where  myself  and  fellow  prisoners  were  frequently  in- 
sulted and  abused  by  our  dastardly  guards,  who  often 
threatened  to  shoot  us  on  the  spot,  and  who  made 
murder,  robbery  and  whoredoms  with  negro  slaves  their 
daily  boast. 


CHAPTER     XXYII. 

LEGISLATIVE    ACTIOX   OX   THE    SUBJECT. 

rr^HE  state  legislatm^e  were  soon  in  session  5  and  from 
-J-  tliis  body,  so  high  iu  responsibility,  we  had  hoped 
for  some  redress  and  protection.  Memorials  and  petitions 
from  those  aggTieved,  and  others,  were  addressed  to  the  leg- 
islature, praying  for  an  investigation  of  the  whole  matter, 
and  for  redress  and  protection  against  the  criminal  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Governor  and  his  troops,  in  seizing  om^  pro- 
perty, murdering  our  citizens,  kidnapping  oiu^  leaders  and 
others,  and  driving  us  from  the   State. 

Yes,  in  fact,  American  citizens  petitioned  a  republican 
legislature  for  the  privilege  of  occupying  and  cultivating 
their  own  lands,  purchased  of  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  and  for  the  privilege  of  dwelling  in  the 
houses  built  by  theii-  own  hands,  on  theii'  own  real  estate. 
How  strange !  How  incredible,  in  the  nineteenth  century ! 
Who  can  reahze  it !  and  yet  it  must  stand  on  record,  and 
go  down  to  posterity  as  a  fact,  a  stubborn,  undeniable  pub- 
lic fact. 

The  following  extract  of  a  petition  addressed  to  the  leg- 
islature of  Missoim,  dated  Dec.  10,  1838,  Far  West,  Cald- 
well County,  Missouri,  and  signed  by  a  committee  appointed 
by  the  citizens,  will  show  for  itself  the  foregoing  to  be 
true.     It  was   signed  by 

Edwaed  Partridge,      John  M.  Burk, 

HEBER   C.   KeMBALL,         BRIGHA3I  TOUNG, 

John  Taylor,  Isaac  Morley, 

Theodore  Turley,        George  W.  Harris, 
John  Murdock. 


23G  AITTOBIOGKAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

It  reatl  as  follows : 

"  The  last  order  of  Governor  Boggs,  to  drive  us  from 
the  State  or  exterminate  us,  is  a  thing  so  novel,  unlawful, 
tyrannical  and  oppressive  that  we  have  been  induced  to 
draw  up  this  memorial  and  present  this  statement  of  our 
case  to  youi'  honorable  body,  praying  that  a  law  may  be 
passed  rescinding  the  order  of  the  Governor  to  drive  us 
from  the  State ;  and  also,  giving  us  the  sanction  of  the 
Legislatm^e  to  inherit  our  lands  in  peace.  *  *  *  In 
laying  our  case  before  your  honorable  body  we  say  that  we 
are  willing,  and  ever  have  been,  to  conform  to  the  Con- 
stitution and  laws  of  the  United  States  and  of  this  State. 

"We  ask,  in  common  with  others,  the  protection  of  the 
laws.  We  ask  for  the  privilege  guaranteed  to  all  free  cit- 
izens of  the  United  States  and  of  this  State  to  be  extended 
to  us.  that  we  may  l)e  permitted  to  settle  and  live  where 
we  please,  and  worship)  God  according  to  the  dictates  of 
oui"  conscience  without  molestation.  And  while  we  ask  for 
oui'selves  this  privilege,  we  are  wUling  all  others  shoidd 
enjoy  the  same." 

If  the  necessity  for  such  a  petition  seems  strange,  how 
much  more  strange  appears  the  fact,  that  such  petition 
was  denied  by  the  Legislatiu^e  of  a  State  I  And  to  crown 
the  whole,  all  investigation  was  utterly  refused;  nay  more, 
the  Legislature  itself  became  accessory  to  these  crimes,  by 
appropriating  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  to  pay  the 
miuxlerers   and  robbers  for  committing  these  crimes. 

This  last  act  of  outrage  sealed  with  eternal  infamy  the 
character  of  the  State  of  Missouri.  She  fell  to  rise  no 
more.  She  should  be  looked  upon  by  her  sister  States  as 
a  star  fallen  from  the  American  consteUation ;  a  ruined 
and  degraded  outcast  from  the  family  of  States.  The  whole 
civilized  world  will  detest  and  abhor  her  as  the  most  in- 
famous of  tjTants.  ifay,  tyranny  itself  will  blush  to  hear 
her  deeds  mentioned  in   the  annals  of  history. 

The  most  cruel  persecutors  of  the  Christians   or  Keform- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


237 


ers  in  pagan  or  papal  Eoiue  will  start  with  astonishment 
from  their  long  slumbers,  and,  with  a  mixture  of  envy  and 
admiration,  yield  to  her  the  palm.  As  a  State  she  has 
acted  the  part  of  a  pirate,  a  wholesale  murderer  and  rob- 
ber. Every  department — civil,  military,  executive  and  legis- 
lative— tramples  aU  law  under  foot,  and  plunges  into  crime 
and  blood. 

Many  of  the  State  journals  have  tried  to  hide  the  ini- 
quity of  the  State  by  throwing  a  covering  of  lies  over  her 
atrocious  deeds.  But,  can  they  hide  the  Governor's  cruel 
order  for  extermination  or  banishment?  Can  they  conceal 
the  facts  of  the  disgTaceful  treaty  of  the  generals  with  a 
portion  of  their  own  oflBcers  and  men  at  Far  Westf  Can 
they  conceal  the  fact  that  ten  or  tM  elve  thousand  citizens, 
of  all  ages  and  of  both  sexes,  have  been  banished  from 
the  State  without  trial  or  condemnation  ?  Can  they  conceal 
the  fact  that  the  State  Legislature  appropriated  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  to  pay  the  criminals  for  committing 
these  crimes;  and  this  while  the  petitions  of  the  sufferers 
lay  on  the  table  before  them,  praying  for  investigation, 
redress  and  protection  ?  Can  they  conceal  the  fact  that 
citizens  have  been  kidnapped  and  imprisoned  for  many 
months,  while  then-  families,  friends  and  witnesses  have 
been  driven  from  the  State  ? 

Can  they  conceal  the  blood  of  the  murdered  husbands 
and  fathers,  or  stifle  the  cries  of  widows  and    orphans  ? 

Nay,  the  rocks  and  the  mountains  may  cover  then  in 
unknown  depths  ;  the  awful  abyss  of  the  fathomless  deep 
may  swallow  them  up,  and  still  their  horrid  deeds  will 
stand  forth  in  the  broad  light  of  day,  for  the  wondering 
gaze  of  angels  and  of  men — they  cannot  be  hid. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

Joseph   Smith   aud  his    FeUow    Prisoners  in    Clay   County : -Mock    Trial    in 
the    County   of  Davies  :— Final  Escape  :— Their   Arrival  in  Illinois. 

THIS  chapter  is  an  extract  from  the  statement  of  Hyrum 
Smith,  one  of  the  prisoners,  given  nnder  oath,  before 
the  Municipal  Court  of  the  city  of  ^^auvoo,  lUinois,  in  the 
Slimmer  of   1843. 

"  The  next  morning  after  the  close  of  this  mock  court 
(held  at  Eichmond,  Judge  Austin  A.  King  presiding),  a 
large  wagon  drove  up  to  the  door  of  our  prison  house, 
and  a  blacksmith  entered  Avith  some  chains  and  hand- 
cuffs. He  said  his  orders  fi^om  the  Judge  Tvere  to  hand- 
cuff and  chain  us  together.  He  informed  us  that  the 
Jud«-e  made  out  a  mittimus  and  sentenced  us  to  jail 
for  "treason ;  he  also  said  that  the  Judge  had  done 
this  that  we  might  not  get  bail.  He  also  said  that  the 
Judge  had  stated  his  intention  to  keep  us  in  jail  imtil 
all  the  ^lormons  were  driven  fi^om  the  State ;  and  that 
the  Judge  had  fiuther  stated  that  if  he  let  us  out  be- 
fore the  Mormons  had  left  the  State  there  would  be  an- 
other d-d  fiiss  kicked  up.  I  also  heard  the  Judge  say 
myself,  while  he  was  sitting  in  his  pretended  court, 'that 
there  was  no  law  for  us,  or  any  of  the  Mormons  in  the 
State  of  Missouri ;  that  he  had  sworn  to  see  them  exter- 
mmated,  and  to  see  the  Governor's  order  executed  to  the 
verv  letter,   aud  he  would  do  so.' 

"'However,  the  blacksmith  proceeded  to  put  the  irons 
upon  us  We  were  then  ordered  into  the  wagon  and 
di-ove  off    for    Clay    County-.      As    we   journeyed  along   on 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      239 

the  road,  we  were  exhibited  to  the  inhabitants.  This 
pubhc  exhibition  lasted  until  we  arrived  at  the  town  of 
Liberty,  Clay  County.  There  we  were  thrust  into  prison 
again,  and  locked  up ;  and  were  held  there  in  confine- 
ment for  the  space  of  six  months. 

"■  Our  place  of  lodging-  was  the  square  side  of  hewed 
white  oak  logs,  and  oiu-  food  was  anything  but  good 
and  decent.  Poison  was  administered  to  us  three  or  four 
times.  The  effect  it  had  upon  our  systems  was,  that  it 
vomited  us  almost  to  death,  and  then  we  would  lay  some 
two  or  three  days  in  a  torpid,  stupid  state,  not  even 
caring  or  wishing  for  life. 

"  The  poison  would  inevitably  have  proved  fatal  had 
not  the  power  of  Jehovah  interposed  in  our  behalf,  to 
save  us  from  their  wicked  purpose.  We  were  also  sub- 
jected to  the  necessity  of  eating  human  flesh  !  for  the  space 
of  five  days,  or  go  without  food,  except  a  little  coffee  or 
a  little  corn  bread.  I  choose  the  latter  alternative.  E"one 
of  us  partook  of  the  flesh  except  LjTnan  Wight.  We  also 
heard  the  guard  which  was  placed  over  us,  making  sport 
of  us,  saying  that  '  they  had  fed  us  upon  Mormon 
bee/: 

"  I  have  described  the  appearance  of  this  flesh  to  sev- 
eral experienced  physicians,  and  they  have  decided  that 
it  was  human  flesh.  We  learned  afterwards  through  one  of 
the  guards  that  it  was  supposed  that  such  acts  of  canni- 
balism as  feeding  us  with  human  flesh  would  be  con- 
sidered a  popular  deed.  But  those  concerned,  on  learning 
that  it  would  not  take,  tried  to  keep  it  secret ;  but  the 
fact  was  noised  abroad  before    they  took    that    precaution. 

"  While  we  were  incarcerated  hi  prison  we  petitioned 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Missoiu'i  for  habeas 
corpus  twice,  but  we  were  as  often  refused  by  Judge 
Eeynolds,   who  is  now  Governor  of  that   State. 

"  We  also  petitioned  one  of  the  county  judges  for  a  writ 
of  habeas  corpus.     This  was  granted  in  about  three    weeks 


240       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

afterwartls  ;  but  we  were  not  permitted  to  have  any  trial. 
We  were  only  taken  out  of  jail,  and  kept  out  for  a  few 
hours,  and  then  remanded  back  again.  In  the  course  of 
three  or  four  days  after  that  time  Judge  Tiu-nham  came 
into  the  jail  in  the  evening,  and  said  he  had  permitted 
Mr.  Eigdon  to  get  bail ;  but  said  he  had  to  do  it  in  the 
night,  and  had  also  to  get  awaj'  in  the  night,  and  un- 
known to  any  of  the  citizens,  or  they  would  kill  him ; 
for  they  had  sworn  to  kill  him  if  they  could  find  him. 
And,  as  to  the  rest  of  us,  he  dare  not  let  us  go  for  fear 
of  his  own    life,   as   well  as   ours. 

"  He  said  it  was  hard  to  be  confined  iinder  such  cir- 
cumstances, for  he  knew  we  were  innocent  men,  and  the 
people  also  knew  it ;  and  that  it  was  only  persecution 
and  treachery,  and  the  scenes  of  Jackson  County  acted 
over  again,  for  fear  we  would  become  too  numerous  iu 
that  upi)er  country.  He  said,  '  the  plan  was  concocted  from 
the  Governor  down  to  the  lowest  judge,  and  that  that 
wicked  Baptist  priest,  Riley,  was  riding  into  town  every 
day  to  watch  the  peojile — stuTing  up  the  minds  of  the 
people  against  us  all  he  could — exciting  them,  and  stir- 
ring up  their  religious  prejudices  against  us,  for  fear  they 
would    let  us   go.' 

"  Mr.  Eigdon,  however,  got  bail  and  made  his  escape 
to  Illiuois.  The  jailor,  Samuel  Tillory,  told  us  also  'that 
the  whole  plan  was  concocted  from  the  Governor  down 
to  the  lowest  judge  in  that  upper  country  early  the  pre- 
vious spring  ;  and  that  the  plan  was  more  fully  matured 
at  the  time  General  Atchison  went  down  to  Jefferson 
County  with  Generals  Wilson,  Lucas  and  Gillum.'  This 
was  sometime  in  September,  when  the  mob  was  collected 
at  De  Witt.  He  also  said  that  the  Governor  was  now 
ashamed  enough  of  the  whole  transaction,  and  would  be 
glad  to  set  us  at  liberty  if  he  dared  to  do  it ;  '  but/ 
said  he,  '  you  need  not  be  concerned,  for  the  Governor 
has  laid  a  plan  for  your  release.'      He  also   said  that  Mr- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      241 

Birch,  the  State's  Attorney,  was  appointed  to  be  Circuit 
Judge  in  the  district  iuchiding  Da^^es  County,  and  that 
he  (Birch)  was  instructed  to  lix  the  papers  so  that  we 
woukl  be  clear  from  any  encumbrance  in  a  very  short 
time. 

"  Sometime  in  April  we  were  taken  to  Davies  County, 
as  they  said,  to  have  a  trial;  but  when  we  arrived  at  that 
place,  instead  of  finding  a  court  or  a  jury,  we  found  an- 
other Inquisition ;  and  Birch,  who  was  the  District  Attorney, 
the  same  man  who  was  one  of  the  ^ court  martial^  when 
we  were  sentenced  to  death,  was  now-  the  Circuit  Judge 
of  that  pretended  court,  and  the  Grand  Jury  that  were 
cmpannelled  were  at  the  massacre  at  Haun's  Mill,  and 
lively  actors  in  that  awful,  solemn,  disgTacefid,  cool-blooded 
murder.  All  the  pretence  they  made  of  excuse  was  '  they 
had  done  it  because  the  Governor  ordered  it  done.' 

"The  same  jury  sat  as  a  jiuy  in  the  day  time,  and 
were  over  us  as  a  guard  by  night.  They  tantalized  and 
boasted  over  us  of  their  great  achievements  at  Haim's 
Mill  and  at  other  places ;  telhng  us  hoM-  many  houses 
they  had  burned,  and  how  many  sheep,  cattle  and  hogs 
they  had  driven  off  belonging  to  the  ^  Mormons  f  and  how 
many  rapes  they  had  committed,   etc.  *         *         # 

"  These  fiends  of  the  lower  region  boasted  of  these 
acts  of  barbarity  and  tantalized  our  feelings  with  them 
for  ten  days.  We  had  heard  of  these  acts  of  cruelty 
previous  to  this  time ;  but  we  were  slow  to  believe  that 
such   acts  had  been  perpetrated. 

"This  Grand  Jiuy  constantly  celebrated  their  achiev- 
ments  ^vlth  grog  and  glass  in  hand,  like  the  Indian 
warriors  at  the  war  dances,  singing  and  telling  each  of 
their  exploits  in  mmxlering  the  '  Mormons,^  in  plundering 
their  houses,  and  carrying  oft'  their  property.  All  this 
was  done  in  the  presence  of  Judf/e  Birch,  who  had  pre- 
viously said  in  our  hearing :  '  That  there  teas  no  law  for 
the  Mormons   in   the   State  of   2Iisso%irU 

16 


242      AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

"After  all  these  ten  clays  of  drunkenness  we  were  in- 
formed that  we  were  indicted  for  ^treason!  murder!  arson! 
larceny !  theft  and  steaUng ! !'  We  asked  for  a  change  of 
venue  from  that  county  to  Marion  County;  but  they 
would  not  grant  it.  But  they  gave  us  a  change  of  venue 
from  Davies  to  Boone  County,  and  a  miUimus  was  made 
out  by  the  pretended  Judge  Birch,  without  date,  name  or 
place.  They  fitted  us  out  with  a  two  horse  wagon  and 
horses,  and  four  men,  besides  the  Sheriff,  to  be  our  guard 
— there  were  five  of   us. 

"We  started  from  Gallatin,  the  sun  about  two  hours 
high,  P.  M.,  and  went  as  far  as  Diahman  that  evening, 
and  stayed  till  morning.  There  we  bought  two  horses  of 
the  gTiard,  and  paid  for  one  of  them  in  clothing  which  we 
had  with  us,  and  for  the  other  we  gave  our  note. 

"We  went  down  that  day  as  far  as  Judge  Morin's — a 
distance  of  some  four  or  five  miles.  There  we  stayed  until 
morning,  when  we  started  on  our  journey  to  Boone  County, 
and  travelled  about  twenty  miles.  There  was  bought  a 
jug  of  whiskey,  of  which  the  guard  drank  freely.  While 
there  the  Sheriff  showed  us  the  miUimus,  before  referred 
to,  without  date  or  signature,  and  said  that  Judge  Birch 
told  him  never  to  carry  us  to  Boone  County,  and  to  show 
the  mittimus;  and,  said  he,  I  shall  take  a  good  drmk  of 
gTOg  and  go  to  bed,  and  you  may  do  as  you  have  a 
mind  to.  Three  others  of  the  guard  drank  pretty  freely 
of  whiskey  sweetened  with  honey;  they  also  went  to  bed 
and  were  soon  asleep.  The  other  guard  went  with  us 
and  helped  us  to  saddle  our  horses.  Two  of  us  mounted 
the  horses  and  the  other  three  started  on  foot,  and  thus 
we  took  oiu'  change  of  venue  for  the  State  of   Illinois. 

"In  the  course  of  nine  or  ten  days  we  aixived  safely 
in  Quincy,  Adams  County,  where  we  found  our  families  in 
a  state  of  poverty,  although  in  good  health— they  having 
been  driven  out  of  the  State  previously  by  the  murderous 
militia  under  the  exterminating  order  of   the  Executive  of 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      243 

Missouri.  And  now  the  people  of  that  State,  or  a  portion 
of  them,  would  be  glad  to  make  the  people  of  this  State 
believe  that  my  brother  Joseph  has  committed  treason, 
and  this  they  seek  to  do  for  the  piupose  of  keeping  up 
their  murderous  and  hellish  persecution.  They  seem  to  be 
unrelenting  in  thirsting  for  the  blood  of  innocence,  for  I 
do  know  most  positively  that  my  brother  Joseph  has  com- 
mitted no  treason,  nor  violated  one  solitary  item  of  law 
or  rule  in  the  State  of  Missouri. 

"But  I  do  know  that  the  Mormon  people,  en  masse, 
were  driven  out  of  that  State,  after  being  robbed  of  all 
they  had,  and  that  he  barely  escaped  with  his  life.  Ajid 
all  this  in  consequence  of  the  exterminating  order  of 
Governor  Boggs;  the  same  being  confirmed  by  the  Legis- 
latme  of  that  State. 

"  And  I  do  know,  so  does  this  Coiut  and  every  rational 
man  who  Ls  acquainted  with  the  circumstances,  and  every 
man  who  shall  hereafter  become  acquainted  with  the  par- 
ticulars thereof,  will  know  that  Governor  Boggs  and 
Generals  Clark,  Lucas,  Wilson  and  Gillum,  also  Austin  A. 
King,  have  committed  treasonable  acts  against  the  citizens 
of  Missouri,  and  did  ^dolate  the  Constitution  of  the  IJnited 
States,  and  also  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the  State 
of  Missouri,  and  tUd  exile  and  expel,  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  some  twelve  or  fourteen  thousand  iu habitants  of 
the  State,  and  did  murder  some  three  or  four  himdied 
of  men,  women  and  children  in  cold  blood  in  the  most 
horrid  and  cruel  manner  possible.  And  the  whole  of  it 
was  caused  by  religious  bigotry  and  persecution,  and  be- 
cause the  Mormons  dared  to  worship  Almighty  God  accord- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  their  own  conscience  and  agreeably 
to  His  Divine  WiU,  as  revealed  in  the  Scriptures  of  eternal 
truth  ;  and  had  turned  away  from  following  the  A^ain 
traditions  of  their  fathers  and  would  not  worship  accord- 
ing to  the  dogmas  and  commandments  of  those  men 
who  preach   for   hire  and   tli\ane  for  money,  and  teach  for 


24:4      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

doctrines    the    commandments    of   men,  expecting    that    the 
Constitution    of   the    United    States   would    have    protected 

them  therein. 

"  But,  notwithstanding  the  Mormon  peoi)le  had  purchased 
upwards  of  two  hundred  thousand  doUars'  worth  of  laud, 
most  of  which  was  entered  and  paid  for  at  the  Land 
Office  of  the  United  States,  in  the  State  of  Missouri,  and 
although  the  President  of  the  United  States  has  been 
made  acquainted  with  the«e  facts  and  the  particidars  of 
oui-  persecutions  and  oppressions  by  petitions  to  him  and 
to  Congress,  yet  they  have  not  even  attempted  to  restore 
the  Saints  to  their  rights,  or  given  any  assurance  that  we 
may  hereafter  expect  redress  from  them. 

"And    I    do    also    know,  most    positively  and    assuredly, 

that  my  brother,  Joseph  Smith,  Junior,  has  not  been  in  the 

State  of  Missouri  since  the  sprhig  of  the  year  1839.    And 

further  this  deponent  saith  not. 

"  Hybum    Smith." 


CHAPTER     XXIX. 

PHvewell   Scenes: — Departure   of    the   Lust    Remnant   of    the    Exiles: — Court: 
— Release   of    Two   of   the   Prisoners  : — Reflections   in   Prison. 

ON  the  17th  of  March,  1830,  my  wife  took  leave  of  the 
prisou  with  her  little  children,  aiid,  with  a  broken 
heart,  returned  to  Far  West,  in  order  to  get  passage  vdth 
some  of  the  brethren  for  Illinois.  She  tarried  in  Far 
West  a  month.  All  the  Society  had  gone  from  the  State, 
but  a  few  of  the  poor  and  widows,  and  the  Committee 
who  tarried  behind  to  assist  thein  in  removing.  About  the 
middle  of  April  a  gang  of  robbers  entered  Far  West  armed, 
and  ordered  my  wife,  and  the  Committee,  and  the  others  to 
be  gone  by  such  a  time,  or  they  would  murder  them. 
This    gang  destroyed    much    fiu-niture    and    other    property. 

Thus  my  wife  was  driven  away  according  to  the  Gov- 
ernor's previous  order,  while  I  was  still  detained  in  a 
filthy  dungeon.  My  family  were  conveyed  to  Quincy,  Illi- 
uois,  distance  two  hundred  and  eighty  miles,  by  David  W. 
Rogers,  of  New  York,  who  is  a  descendant  of  the  cele- 
brated martjT,  John  Eogers,  of  Smithfleld  celebrity,  Eng- 
land. 

On  the  20th  of  April,  1839,  the  last  of  the  Society  de- 
parted from  Far  West.  Thus  had  a  whole  people,  vari- 
ously estimated  at  from  ten  to  fifteen  thousand  souls, 
been  driven  from  houses  and  lauds  and  reduced  to  pov- 
erty, and  had  removed  to  another  State  during  one  short 
winter  and  jjart  of  a  sirring.  The  sacrifice  of  property 
was  immense — including  houses,  lands,  cattle,  sheep,  hogs, 
agricultural  implements,  furniture,  household  utensils,  cloth- 


240  AUTOBIOGRAl'HY     OF     PAULEY     P.     PRATT. 

ing,  mouey  aud  graiu.  One  of  the  most  lioiirisliiiig  coun- 
ties in  tlie  State  aud  part  of  several  others  were  reduced 
to  desolation,  or  inhabited  only  by  marauding  gangs  of 
murderers  and  robbers. 

On  the  24th  of  Ajiril  our  cases  came  before  the  Grand 
Jury  of  the  county  of  Ray;  which  Grand  Jury,  the  reader 
is  aware,  would  be  naturally  composed  of  our  persecu- 
tors and  their  accessories ;  and  at  whose  head  was  the 
same  Judge  King  Avho  had  presided  in  the  former  mock 
trial  and  Inquisition  which  committed  us  to  jjrison. 

Darwin  Chase  and  Norman  Shearer  were  dismissed,  after 
bemg  imprisoned  near  six  months.  This  release  happened 
just  as  Mr.  Shearer  came  to  visit  his  son  for  the  last 
time  before  he  left  the  country.  He  came  into  the 
prison  aud  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  son,  who 
wept  as  if  his  heart  would  break ;  but  while  he  yet 
lingered  in  town  his  son  was  called  before  the  Court, 
and,  together  with  Mr.  Chase,  was  told  that  he  might  go 
at  liberty.  The  father  and  son  then  embraced  each  other, 
almost  overcome  with  joy,  and  departed. 

At  the  same  time  my  brother,  Orson  Pratt,  wliom  I  had 
not  seen  for  a  year,  came  from  Illinois  to  see  me,  but  was 
only  permitted  to  visit  me  for  a  few  moments,  and  then 
was  ordered  to   depart. 

Mrs.  Phelps  who  had  waited  in  prison  for  some  days,  in 
hopes  that  the  Court  would  release  her  husband,  now 
parted  with  him,  overwhelmed  with  sorrow  and  tears,  and, 
with  ht^r  infant,  went  away  to  remove  to  Illinois. 

Thus  our  families  wander  in  a  strange  land,  without  our 
protection,  being  robbed  of  house  aud  home.  O  Lord !  liow 
long  ? 

Our  number  in  prison  were  now  reduced  to  four — one 
having  been  added  about  the  middle  of  Ajuil.  His  name 
was  King  FoUett ;  he  was  dragged  from  his  distressed 
family  just  as  they  were  leaving  the  State,  being  charged 
with    robbery,  which    meant    that  he  was    one    of   a    posse 


ATTTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  247 

who  took  a  keg  of  powder  from  a  gang  of  ruffians  who 
were  out  against  tlio  Mormons,  Thus,  of  all  the  Mormon 
prisoners  first  kidnapped,  only  two  remained  in  the  State 
— Mr.  Gibbs  havhig  denied  the  faith  to  try  and  regain  his 
li])ert5'— these  were  Morris  Phelps  and  myself. 

All  who  were  liberated  on  bail  were  forced  to  leave  the 
State,  together  with  those  who  bailed  them,  thus  forfeiting 
many  thousands  of  dollars  to  the  coffers  of  the  State. 

Is  it  possible  !  Have  I  been  recording  the  history  of 
realities  as  the  scenes  transpired  in  the  broad  light  of  the 
nineteenth  century— in  the  boasted  land  of  liberty— and  in 
the  most  renowned  republic  now  existing  on  the  globe  ? 
Alas  !  it  is  too  true  -,  would  to  God  it  were  a  dream — a 
novel— a  romance  that  had  no  existence  save  in  the  wild 
regions  of  fancy.  But  the  prison  door  yet  grating  on 
its  hinges,— the  absence  of  my  wife  and  little  ones,— 
the  gloom  of  the  dungeon  where  I  yet  repose,— these  and 
ten  thousand  other  things  cause  me  to  think  that  my 
almost  incredible  narrative  is  no  fiction,  but  an  awful 
reality— a  fact  more  truly  distressing  than  my  feeble  tongue 
or  pen   can  find  words  to   set  forth. 

How  often  in  my  sleeping  visions  I  see  my  beloved  wife, 
or  my  playful  children  surrounded  with  the  pleasures  of 
home  in  my  sweet  little  cottage,  or  walk  with  them  in 
some  pleasant  grove  or  flowery  field,  as  in  years  past. 
How  often  I  see  myself  surrounded  with  listening  thousands, 
as  in  bygone  years,  and  join  with  them  in  the  sacred  song 
and  prayer,  or  address  them  with  the  sound  of  the  ever- 
lasting gospel.  But,  alas  !  I  soon  awake,  and,  to  my  inex- 
pressible grief  and  sorrow,  find  myself  still  in  my  lonely 
dungeon. 

0    Liberty  1 

0   sound   once  delightful   to   every   American   ear  I 

0   sacred  privilege  of  American  citizenship!  / 

Once   sacred ;    now   trampled  under  foot. 

When   shall  I  and  my  injured  family  and  Mends    again 


248       AUTOBIOaUAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

enjoy  thy  sweets  ?  When  shall  we  repose  beneath  thy 
bower,  or  bask  in  thy  boundless  ocean  of  felicity  f  When 
shall  Ave  sit  again  nnder  our  vine  and  under  our  fruit 
trees,  and  worship  our  (lod,  with  none  to  molest  or  make  us 
afraid  1 

Awake,   0  Amerieans  I 

Arise,   0    sons   and    daughters   of  fi-eedom  ] 

Eestore  a  persecuted  and  injured  people  to  their  rights, 
as  citizens  of  a  free  republic.  Down  with  tyranny  and 
oppression,  and  rescue  yom-  liberties  from  the  brink  of 
ruin.  Kedeem  your  much  injured  country  from  the  awfal 
stain  upon  its  honor  ;  and  let  the  cries  of  helpless  orphans 
and  the  tears  of  the  sorrowing  widow  cease  to  ascend  up 
before  the  Lord  for  vengeance  upon  the  heads  of  those 
who  have  slain,  i)lundered,  imprisoned  and  driven  the 
Saints.  And  let  the  news  go  forth  to  the  wondering 
nations   that  Columbia  still  is  free. 

O  tell  it  not  in  Britain  5  nor  let  the  sound  be  heard  in 
Europe  that  Liberty  is  fallen  ;  that  the  free  institutions  of 
our  once  happy  country  are  now  destroyed,  lest  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  Britannia  rejoice  and  laugh  us  to  scorn  j 
lest  the  children  of  monarchy  triumph  and  have  us  in  deri- 
sion. 

0  freedom,   must  thy  spirit  now  withdraw 

From   eartli,   retimiing   to   its  native  heaven, 

Tliere   to  dwell,  till,    armed  with  sevenfold   vengeance, 

It  comes   again  to  earth  with   King  Messiah, 

And   all   His  marshalled  hosts,    in  glory  bright, 

To    tread   the   winepress   of  Almighty  God, 

And   none  escape  ?      Ye  powers  of  Heaven,   forbid ; 

Let  freedom   linger   still  on   shores  of  time. 

And  in  the  breasts  of  thine  afflicted  saints, 

Let  it  find   a  peaceful  retirement — 

A  place   of  rest,    till  o'er  the   troubled   earth, 

Mercy,   justice  and  eternal   truth, 

While  Journejing  hand  in  hand   to    exalt  tlie   humble 

And   debase   the  proud  ;     shall   find   some   nation, 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PKATT.      249 

Poor,    oppressed,  afflicted   and   despised  ; 

Cast  out   and   trodden   under  foot   of  tyrants 

Proud  ;    the   hiss,  the  byeword,  and  the  scorn  of  knaves — 

And    there   let  freedom's  spirit  wide   prevaD, 

And  grow  and   flourish    'mid  the   lium)ile  poor — 

Exalted  and  enriched   by   virtue. 

Knowledge,   temperance  and  love  ;    till   o'er  the   earth 

Messiah  comes   to  reign ;    tlie   prou<l  consumed, 

No  more  oppress  the  poor, 

Let  freedom's  eagle   then   (forthcoming,    like 

The  dove   from  Noah's  ark)  on   lofty   pinions   soar, 

And   spread  its   wide   domain  from  end  to  end, 

O'er  all   the   vast  expanse   of  this   wide   earth ; 

While   freedom's  temple   rears   its  lofty  spires 

Amid   the  skies,   and  on  its  bosom  rests 

A  cloud   by  day   and   flaming  fire  by  night  1 

But   stay  my  spirit,    though   thou   fain  would'st   soar 
On   high,    'mid  scenes   of  glory,   peace   and  joy ; 
From  bondage  free,   and  bid  thy  jail  farewell. 
Stop ! — wait  awliile  ! — let  patience   have  her  perfect  work. 
Return  again    to  suffering  scenes,   through   wliich 
The  way  to   glory  Mes,   and  speak  of  things 
Around   thee ; — Thou'rt  in   prison   still  I 

But  spring   has   now   returned  ;    the   wintry   blasts 
Have   ceased   to  howl  through   prison   cr.evices — 
The  soft  and  gentle  breezes  of  the   South 
Are  whistling  gaily  past,   and  incense  sweet. 
On   zephyr's   whig,    with  fragrance  fills   the   air, 
Wafted   from   blooming   flowrets   of   the   spring  ; 
While  round  my  lonely   dungeon  oft  is   heard 
Melodious   strains,    as   if   the   birds   of   spring. 
In  anthems   sweet,   conspired  to  pity  and 
Console  the  drooping  spirits   there   confined. 
AU   things   aroimd  me   show   that  days,    and   weeks. 
And  months   have   fled,   although  to  me  not  mark'd 
By   Sabbaths,    and  but  faintly   marked   by   dim 
And   sombre   rays   of  hght,    alternate   'mid 
The  gloom   of  overhanging  night,    which   still 
Pervades   my   drear   and   sohtary   cell. 
Where   now   those   helpless   ones   I   left   to   nioum? 
Have   they   perished?     No.     What   then!     Has   some 
Elijah   caU'd  and  found   them  in  the  last 


250 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


Exti-eme,    and   multiplied    their   meal   and   oil? 
Yes,   verily  ;   the   Lord  has   filled   the  hearts 
Of  his  poor   saints   with   everlasting   love, 
"Which,    in  proportion  to   their   poverty. 
Increased  with   each   increasing  want,  tUl  all 
Reduced   imto   the   widow's   mite,   and   then, 
Like  her,    their   living   tliey   put  in  ;    and   thus 
O'erflowed   the  treasurj'   of  the   Lord   with   more 
Abundant   stores   tlian  all   the   wealth   of   kings. 
And  thus   supported,    fed   and   clothed,   and   moved 
From   scenes   of    sorrow  to   a  land   of   i)ea,ce, 
They  livel   and  living   still,   they   do   rejoice 
In   tribulation   deep — 
Well  knowing   their  redemption   drawelh  nigh. 


I 


CHAPTER     XXX. 

y   ETTER  TO   JUDGE^  AUSTIX  A.   KING. 

"EiCHMOND  Prison,  May  ISth,  1839. 

"^OM.  Sir — Having'  beeu  confined  in  prison  near  seven 
months,  and  the  time  having  arrived  when  a  change  of 
venue  can  he  taken  in  order  for  the  further  prosecution 
of  our  trials,  and  the  time  when  I  can  speak  my  mind 
freely,  ^vithout  endangering  the  lives  or  liberties  of  any 
but  myself,  I  now  take  the  liberty  of  seriously  objecting 
to  a  trial  anywhere  within  the  bounds  of  this  State,  and 
of  earnestly  j)raying  to  your  honor  and  to  all  the  authori- 
ties, civil  and  military,  that  my  case  may  come  within 
the  law  of  banishment  !  enacted  by  Governor  Boggs,  and 
so  vigorously  enforced  upon  from  ten  to  fifteen  thousand 
of  our  Society,  including  my  wife  and  little  ones,  together 
with  all  my  witnesses  and  friends. 

'^  My  reasons  are  ob\'ious,  and  founded  upon  notorious 
facts  which  are  known  to  you,  sir,  and  to  the  people  in 
general  of  this  republic,  and,  therefore,  need  no  proof ;  some 
of  them  are  as  follows  : 

"  First  :  I  have  never  received  any  protection  by  law, 
either  of  my  person,  property  or  family,  while  residing  in 
this  State,  to  which  I  first  emigrated  in  1831. 

"  Secondly  :  I  was  driven  by  force  of  arms  from  Jack- 
son County,  wounded  and  bleeding,  in  1833,  while  my 
house  was  burned,  my  crops  and  provisions  robbed  from 
me  or  destroyed,  and  my  land  and  improvements  kept 
from  me  until  now,  while  my  family  was  driven  out,  with- 
out shelter,  at  the  approach  of  winter. 


252      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT. 

"  Thirdly  :  These  crimes  still  go  unpunished,  notwith- 
standmg  I  made  oath  before  the  Hon.  Jndge  Eyland,  then 
acting  District  Judge,  to  the  foregoing  outrages,  and  after- 
wards applied  in  person  to  his  excellency,  Daniel  Dunklin, 
then  Governor  of  the  State,  for  redress  and  protection  of 
myself  and  fi-iends,  and  the  restoration  of  more  than  a 
thousand  of  our  fellow  citizens  to  our  homes. 

"  Fourthly  :  ]My  wife  and  childien  have  now  been  driven 
from  our  house  and  improvements  in  Caldwell  County,  and 
banished  the  State  on  pain  of  death,  together  with  nl)out 
ten  thousand  of  our  society,  including  all  my  friends  and 
witnesses,  and  this  by  the  exi^ress  orders  of  his  excellency, 
Lilburn  W.  Boggs,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Missoiui,  and 
by  the  vigorous  execution  of  this  order  by  Generals  Lucas 
and  Clark,  and  followed  up  by  murders,  rapes,  plunder- 
ings,  thefts  and  robberies  of  the  most  inhuman  character, 
by  a  lawless  mob  who  had,  from  time  to  time,  for  more 
than  five  years  past,  trampled  upon  all  law  and  authority, 
and  upon  all  the  rights  of  man. 

"  Fifthly  :  All  these  inhimian  outrages  and  crimes  go 
unpunished,  and  are  unnoticed  by  you,  sii',  and  by  all  the 
authorities  of  the  State.  Is^'ay,  rather,  you  are  one  of  the 
very  actors.  You,  yoirrself,  threatened  in  open  court  the 
extermination  of  the  ^  Mormons^  if  they  should  ever  be 
again  guilty  of  cultivating  thek  lands. 

"  Sixthly  :  The  Legislature  of  the  State  has  approved 
of  and  sanctioned  this  act  of  banishment,  with  all  the 
crunes  connected  therewith,  by  voting  an  appropriation  of 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  the  payment  of  ti'oops 
engaged  in  this  mdaAvfid,  unconstitutional  and  treasonable 
enjterprise. 

"  In  monarchial  governments  the  banishment  of  criminals 
after  theii'  legal  trial  and  condemnation  has  been  fi-equently 
resorted  to,  but  the  banishment  of  innocent  women  and 
children  from  house,  and  home,  and  country,  to  wander 
in   a  strange  land,  unprotected    and    unprovided  for,  while 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      253 

their  husbands  and  fathers  are  retained  in  dungeons,  is 
an  act  unknown  in  the  annals  of  history,  except  in  this 
single  instance,  in  the  nineteenth  century,  when  it  has  ac- 
tually transpired  in  a  republican  State,  where  the  Consti- 
tution guarantees  to  every  man  the  jirotection  of  life, 
liberty  and  property,  and  the  right  of  trial  by  jury. 

''These,  sir,  are  outrages  which  would  put  monarchy  to 
the  blush,  and  from  which  the  most  despotic  tyrants  of 
the  dark  ages  would  turn  away  with  shame  and  disgust. 
In  these  proceedings,  sir,  Missouri  has  enrolled  her  name 
on  the  Ust  of  imiuortal  fame.  Her  transactions  will  be 
handed  down  the  stream  of  time  to  the  latest  posterity, 
who  will  read  with  wonder  and  astonishment  the  history 
of  proceedings  which  are  without  a  parallel  in  the  annals 
of  time. 

"  Why  should  the  authorities  of  the  State  strain  at  a 
gnat  and  swallow  a    camel  ? 

"  Why  be  so  strictly  legal  as  to  comi^el  me  to  pass 
through  all  the  forms  of  a  slow  and  pretended  legal 
prosecution  (previous  to  my  enlargement),  out  of  a  pre- 
tence of  respect  to  the  laws  of  the  State,  which  have 
been  openly  trampled  ui)on  and  disregarded  towards  us 
from  first  to  last "? 

"  Why  not  include  me  in  the  general  wholesale  banish- 
ment of  our  Society,  that  I  may  support  my  family, 
which  are  now  reduced  to  beggary  in   a  laud  of  strangers'? 

"  But,  sir,  when  the  authorities  of  the  State  shall  re- 
dress aU  these  wrongs,  shall  punish  the  guilty  according 
to  law,  and  shall*  restore  my  family  and  fiiends  to  all 
our  rights,  and  shall  pay  all  the  damages  which  wx,  as 
a  people,  have  sustained,  then  I  shall  believe  them  sin- 
cere in  their  professed  zeal  for  law  aud  justice ;  then 
shall  I  he  convinced  that  I  can  have  a  fair  trial  in  the 
State. 

"  But  until  then  I  hereby  solemnly  protest  against  being- 
tried  in  this   State,    with    the    full    and    conscientious    con- 


254 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


viction  that  I  have  no  just   grounds  to   expect  a  fair  and 
impartial  trial. 

"  I,  therefore,  most  sincerely  pray  your  honor,  and  all 
the  authorities  in  the  State,  to  either  banish  me  with- 
out further  persecution,  or  I  freely  consent  to  a  trial  be- 
fore the  Judiciary  of  the  United  States. 

"  With  sentiments  of  consideration  and  due  respect,  I 
have  the  honor  to   subscribe  myself, 

"  Tour    prisoner, 

"  P.  P.  Pratt." 


CHAPTER     XXXI. 

The  Prison : — Fare  : — Conduct  of  the  Guards  : — A  Strange  Couple : — My 
Wife  Visits  the  Prison  : — Fasting  and  Prayer  : — An  Important  Question : 
Vision: — A  Ministering  Spirit: — The  Question  Answered: — Visit  from 
Judge  King: — Change  of  Venue: — Handcuffs: — Departure  from  the  Prison: 
— Journey  : — Arrival  in  Columbia,  Boone  County  : — Enter  Another  Prison : 
— Treatment: — Arrival  of  Friends: — News  frohi  my  Family: — Impres- 
sions of  the  Spirit: — Plan  and  Preparations  for  Escape: — Fourth  of 
July  Celebration  : — Flag : — Public  DLuner : — Now's  the  Day : — Our  Friends 
take   Leave : — Rendezvous. 

r  pHE  four  following-  chapters  are  extracted  from  the 
-L  Millennial  Star,  published  iu  Liverpool,  Eugland,  ]S'um- 
bers  9,  10  and  11,  Vol.  YIII.  I  give  them  in  full, 
with  some  little  revision,  although  they  contain  a  repeti- 
tion of  some  of  the  things  recorded  in  tlie  foregoing 
chapters : 

At  the  end  of  this  extraordinary  mock  trial  or  iuqui- 
sition,  which  lasted  over  two  weeks,  I  was  unchained 
from  JoseiJh  and  HjTum  Smith,  and  the  others,  and  being 
separated  from  them,  was  conducted  to  a  gloomy,  dark, 
cold  and  filthy  dungeon  in  Richmond,  Ray  County,  where 
I  was  doomed  to  spend  the  winter  and  spring,  and  await 
a  further  trial ;  while  they  shared  a  similar  fate  in  a 
place  called  Liberty,    in    Clay    County. 

When  I  first  entered  the  dungeon  there  were  some 
twenty  men,  mostly  heads  of  families,  who  had  been  torn 
from  their  families  in  those  awful  times,  and  thrust  into 
prison.  It  was  not  only  crowded  to  sufibcation,  without  a 
chaii',   stool,    bench,    bed,    furniture   or    windoM^  light,    but 


256      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

just  tlien  completely  filled  with  smoke  by  a  fire  which  was 
lighted  in  a  stove  Arithoiit  a  pipe,  or  any  conductor  for 
the  smoke  to  pass  out,  except  at  the  crevices  between 
the  timbers,  where  the  winter  storm  was  passing  in. 
When  my  guard  conducted  me  to  the  door  of  this  mis- 
erable cell  it  grated  on  its  huge  hinges  and  opened  like 
the  pit  yawning  to  receive  me  ;  a  volume  of  thick  smoke 
issued  forth  and  seemed  to  forbid  my  entrance ;  but, 
urged  in  my  rear  by  bayonets  and  loaded  pistols  in  the 
hands  of  savage  beings,  I  endeavored  to  enter,  but  was 
forced  to  retreat  again  outside  of  the  door  to  breathe 
for  a  moment  the  free  air.  At  this  instant  several  .pis- 
tols were  cocked  and  presented  at  my  head  and  breast, 
with  terrible  threats  and  oaths  of  instant  death  if  I  did  not 
go  in  agaiji.  I  told  them  to  fire  as  soon  as  they  pleased, 
for  I  must  breathe  a  moment  or  die  in  the  attempt. 
After  standing  a  few  moments,  I  again  entered  the  prison, 
and  threw  myself  down,  my  face  to  the  floor,  to  avoid 
the  smoke.  Here  I  remained  for  some  time,  partly  in  a 
state  of  insensibility  ;  my  heart  sickened  within  me,  and  a 
deathlike  feeling  came  over  me,  fi'om  which  I  did  not 
wholly  recover  for  several    days. 

I  arose,  however,  as  soon  as  I  was  able,  and  began  to 
speak  to  and  recognize  my  fellow  prisoners — most  of  whom 
were  my  neighbors  and  acquaintances.  The  door  was  now 
locked,  l)olted  and  barred,  and  several  guards  placed  before 
it.  The  fire  died  away,  and  the  smoke  gradually  cleared 
away  from  the  dungeon ;  but  the  floor  formed  a  hard  and 
cold  whiter  lodging. 

In  a  few  days  all  those  in  ovu^  prison,  except  five,  were 
released  on  bail,  and  themselves  and  bail  banished  from 
the  State,  with  the  rest  of  the  Society;  thus  compelling 
them  to  forfeit  their  bail  bonds,  which  amounted  in  all  to 
many  thousand  dollars.  The  five  who  remahied  were  Morris 
Phelps,  Darwin  Chase,  Norman  Shearer,  Luman  Gibbs  and 
myself.     Two  of  these  were  finally    dismissed — being  boya 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OV     PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      257 

scarcely  out  of  their  teens.  But  another  was  soou  added 
by  the  name  of  King   Follet. 

This  made  our  final  number  fom-.  One  of  this  number, 
viz. :  Luman  Gibbs,  denied  the  faith  and  tui-ned  a  traitor 
to  the  others;  becoming  their  most  inveterate  enemy. 
This  was  in  order  to  save  his  life  and  gain  his  liberty. 
However,  he  was  still  kept  in  prison  as  a  spy  upon  us, 
lest  it  should  be  said  that  it  was  wholly  a  religious 
persecution;  but  he  was  treated  very  well,  and  went  out 
to  dine  with  the  Sheriff  or  others,  or  to  spend  a  day  with 
his  wife  whenever  it  pleased  him  to  do  so.  Oiu-  food  was 
of  the  most  unwholesome  kind,  and  scant  at  that ;  consist- 
ing of  bones  and  remnants  of  meat,  coarse  corn  bread,  and 
sometimes  a  little  coffee.  We  generally  partook  of  our 
meals  in  a  standing  position,  using  our  fingers  -instead  of 
knives,  forks  or  plates.  A  tin  cuj)  served  us  for  our  coffee. 
We  were  guarded  very  strictly,  both  by  night  and  day,  by 
two  or  three  men  ■s\dth  loaded  pistols. 

These  consisted  of  the  most  imprincipled,  profligate  vil- 
lains that  could  be  found  anywhere.  They  would  swear, 
drink,  gamble,  and  sing  the  most  obscene  and  disgusting 
songs.  They  would  boast  of  shooting  the  2fonnons  ;  robbing 
and  plundering  them;  conunitting  rapes,  etc.  They  would 
also  insult  every  female  slave  or  black  woman  who  might 
hapi)en  to  come  within  hearing,  and  then  boast  of  their 
criminal  connections  with  them.  The  blasphemy;  the  noisy 
grumbling ;  the  blackgiiard  chit  chat ;  doleful  lullaby  and 
vulgar  songs  of  these  guards  grating  daily  upon  our  ears, 
seemed  like  the  howls  and  wailings  of  the  damned,  or  like 
wandering  spirits  and  demons  hovering  around  to  torment 
us.  Wliat  gTeatly  atlded  to  oiu-  afdiction,  as  if  to  complete 
our  hell,  the  old  apostate,  Gibbs,  became  very  quari'elsome 
and  noisy — not  only  to  us,  but  with  his  wife  also,  who 
sometimes  came  into  the  prison  to  spend  a  few  days  with 
him.  He  was  a  hard  faced,  ill  formed  man,  of  about  fifty 
years   of  age ;    fuU  of  jealousy,  extremely  selfish,  very  weak 

17 


258       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

minded,  aud,  withal,  a  little  love  cracked ;    and,  I  may  say, 
that  he  seemed  not  to  possess   one  redeeming  quaUty. 

His  wife  was  about  the  same  age,  and  withal,  a  coarse, 
tall,  masculine  looking  woman,  and  one  of  whom  he  had  no 
reason  to  complain  or  be  jealous.  True,  she  did  not  love 
him — for  no  female  could  possibly  do  that;  but  then  no 
one  else  would  love  her,  nor  was  she  disi)osed  to  court 
their  alfections.  Howe^'er,  he  was  jealous  of  her,  and,  there- 
fore, abused  her ;  and  this  kept  a  constant  and  noisy 
strife  and  wrangling  between  them  whenever  she  was 
present. 

Whole  nights  were  speut  in  this  way,  during  which  no 
one  in  or  about  the  prison  slept.  After  a  quarrel  of  some 
two  or  three  days  and  nights  between  them,  he  would  at- 
tempt to  regaiii  her  love,  and  a  couA'ersation  like  the  fol- 
lowing would  ensue.  Luman,  tlrawing  down  his  face  and 
drawling  his  words  with  a  loud  and  dolefid  tone,  com- 
menced as  follows : 

"  Now,  Phila,  won't  you  love  me  ?  Come ;  here's  my 
watch,  and  here's  aU  the  money  I've  got!"  Then  turning 
to  us,  he  would  exclaim :  "  Boys,  I'll  tell  you  aU  about 
it;  the  fact  is,  she  never  did  love  me;  she  only  married 
me  out  of  pity — we  being  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
together  in  Vermont."  Then  again  addressing  his  wife: 
"  Come  now,  Phila ;  won't  you  love  me  ?  O,  that  I  had 
been  bom  a  rich  man !  I  Avould  give  you  a  dollar  a  min- 
ute to  love  me."  < 

Phila  would  then  laugh  and  call  him  "  a  silly  old  fool." 
Whereupon  he  would  tiiin    away  in    a    rage,   and  exclaim: 

"  Go  along  away,  you  ,  you !    Xobody  wants  your  love, 

no  how !" 

On  one  occasion  they  had  quarreled  and  kept  us  awake 
all  night,  and  just  at  break  of  day  we  heard  a  noise  like 
a  scuffle  and  a  slamming  against  the  wall;  next  followed 
a  woman's  voice,  half  in  a  laugh  and  half  in  exultation: 
— "  Te-he-he-he,   Luman,    what's    the    matter  1    What's    the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      259 

matter,  Liimauf  Then  a  pause,  aud  afteiwarcLs  a  man's 
voice  iu  a  grum,  sorry,  aud  rather  a  whining  toue  was 
heard  at  a  distance  from  the  bed,  exclaiming :  "  Now, 
I  swau,  Phila,  that's   tu  bad." 

The  truth  of  the  matter  was  this :  She  had  braced  her 
back  against  the  wall,  and  with  both  her  feet  placed 
against  his  body,  had  kicked  him  out  of  bed,  and  landed 
him  upon  the  opposite   side   of  the  room. 

Such  scenes  as  these  aud  all  the  folly  of  the  gnards 
served  to  enhance  the  misery  of  imprisonment,  and  to  ren- 
der our  sufferings  complete.  We  tried  to  keep  them  quiet, 
but  tried  in  vain.  Neither  threats  nor  persuasion,  coaxing 
nor  reasoning  had  any  influence  over  them.  This  miserable 
specimen  of  humanity  was  a  peculiar  favorite  of  the  Sheriff 
and  guards,  and  other  citizens  of  Eichmond.  He  was  con- 
sidered by  them  as  the  only  honest,  good,  deserving  man 
in  the  i^rison.  They  often  expressed  pity  for  him,  and 
wished  he  was  at  liberty.  He,  in  turn,  watched  our  move- 
ments closely,  and  was  ready  to  betray  us  on  the  least 
show,  on  our  x^art,  of  any  meditated  plan  of  escape. 

Under  these  i)ainful  cii'cumstauces  we  spent  a  long  and 
dreary  winter.  Oiu"  whole  community,  who  were  not  in 
prison,  were  forced  out  of  the  State,  with  the  loss  of 
homes,  property,  and  many  lives.  They  fled  by  thousands 
to  Illinois. 

My  wife  visited  me  several  times  iu  prison  ;  but  at  length 
the  period  expired  that  the  State  authorities  had  stipulated 
for  every  Mormon  to  be  gone,  and  my  wife  aud  children, 
and  a  few  others  who  remained  behind,  wei^e  obliged  to 
fly  or  be  exterminated,  as  bands  of  armed  men  were  roam- 
ing amid  the  deserted  settlements,  robbing,  plundering, 
destroying  property,   and  threatening   all  who  remained. 

My  fellow  prisoners,  who  had  been  separated  from  me 
and  sent  to  the  prison  at  Liberty,  had  also  eftected  their 
escape,  and  had  fled  to  Illinois  to  join  their  families.  In 
short,  all    were   gone,    except    King    Follett,    Morris  Phelps 


26()       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and    mysell",    aud    the    old   apostate,   who   was    left    to    tor- 
ment us. 

Alone  in  a  State  which  was  wholly  governed  by  an  open 
banditti  of  murderers  and  robbers,  we  seemed  abandoned  to 
our  fate,  and  doomed  to  suffer  that  full  weight  of  ven 
geance  and  fury  which  seemed  in  reserve  for  an  entire 
people  ;  but  that  people  were  now  beyond  their  reach  ;  all 
the  fury  of  the  storm,  therefore,  seemed  now  to  beat  upon 
our  heads.  We  were  daily  threatened  with  assassination, 
without  the  form  of  a  trial  ;  and  were  repeatedly  told  that 
we  never  should  escape  alive  fi"om  the  State  Oiu'  guards 
were  doubly  ^igilant,  while  the  Sheriff  took  every  possible 
precaution.  Luman,  the  apostate,  was  also  iu  constant 
watchfulness,  and  busy  in  forming  plans  for  escape  ;  then 
accusing  us  and  pretending  to  reveal  wonderful  things  to 
oui-  keepers  in  regard  to  our  plans  ;  which,  in  fact,  only  ex- 
isted in  his  lying  brain.  This  increased  the  severity  of  our 
confinement,  and  seemed  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  escape. 

To  be  tried  without  friends  or  witnesses,  or  even  with 
them,  by  a  set  of  "  Gadianton  robbers "  and  murderers, 
who  could  drive  out  and  murder  women  and  children,  was 
but  to  be  condemned  and  executed ;  to  tarry  there  and 
drag  out  a  miserable  life,  while  our  wives  and  children 
wandered  abroad  in  a  land  of  strangers,  without  the  pro- 
tection of  husbands  and  fathers,  was  worse  than  to  die  ten 
thousand  deaths. 

Under  these  circumstances,  and  half  way  between  hope 
and  despair,  I  spent  several  days  in  fasting  and  prayer, 
during  which  one  deep  and  aU  absorbing  inquiry,  one  only 
thought,  seemed  to  hold  possession  of  my  mind.  It  seemed 
to  me  that  if  there  was  a  God  iu  Heaven  who  ever  spake 
to  man  on  earth  I  would  know  from  him  the  trath  of  this 
one  question.  It  was  not  how  long  shall  I  suffer  ;  it  was 
not  when  or  by  what  means  I  should  be  delivered  ;  but 
it  was  simply  this  :  Shall  I  ever,  at  any  time,  however 
distant  it  may  be,   or  whatever  I  may  suffer  tlrst ;   shall  I 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.     261 

ever  be  free  again  iu  this  life,  and  enjoy  the  society  of 
my  dear  wife  and  children,  and  walk  abroad  at  liberty, 
dwell  in  society  and  preach  the  gospel,  as  I  have  done  iu 
bygone  years  ? 

Let  nie  be  snre  of  this  and  ]  care  not  what  I  suffer. 
To  circumnavigate  the  globe,  to  traverse  the  deserts  of 
Arabia,  to  wander  amid  the  wild  scenes  of  the  Kocky 
Mountains  to  accomplisli  so  desirable  an  object,  would 
seem  like  a  mere  trifle  if  I  could  only  be  sure  at  last. 
After  some  days  of  prayer  and  fasting,  and  seeking  the 
Lord  on  the  subject,  I  retired  to  my  bed  iu  my  lonely 
chamber  at  an  early  hour,  and  while  the  other  prisoners 
and  the  guard  were  chatting  and  beguiling  the  lonesome 
hours  in  the  ujDper  apartment  of  the  prison,  I  lay  in  silence, 
seeking  and  expecting  an  answer  to  my  prayer,  when  sud- 
denly I  seemed  carried  away  in  the  spmt,  and  no  longer 
sensible  to  outward  objects  with  which  I  was  surrounded. 
A  heaven  of  i>eace  and  calmness  pervaded  my  bosom ;  a 
personage  from  the  world  of  spirits  stood  before  me  with  a 
smile  of  compassion  in  every  look,  and  pity  mingled  with 
the  tenderest  love  and  sympathy  in  every  expression  of  the 
countenance.  A  soft  hand  seemed  placed  within  my  own, 
and  a  gloAving  cheek  was  laid  in  tenderness  and  warmth 
upon  mine.  A  well  known  voice  saluted  me,  which  I 
readily  recognized  as  that  of  the  wife  of  my  youth,  who 
had  for  near  two  years  been  sweetly  sleeping  where  the 
wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.  I 
was  made  to  realize  that  she  was  sent  to  commune  with 
me,   and  answer  my   question. 

KJiowing  this,  I  said  to  her  in  a  most  earnest  and 
inquiring  tone :  Shall  I  ever  be  at  liberty  again  in  this 
life  and  enjoy  the  society  of  my  family  and  the  Saints, 
and  preach  the  gospel  as  I  have  done  ?  She  answered 
definitely  and  unhesitatingly  :  "  YES  !"  I  then  recollected 
that  I  had  agreed  to  be  satisfied  with  the  knowledge  of 
that  one  fact,  but  now  I  wanted  more. 


262      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Said  I  :  Can  you  tell  me  how,  or  by  what  means,  or 
when  I  shall  escape  f  She  replied  :  "  That  thing  is  not 
MADE  KNOWN  TO  ME  YET."  I  instantly  felt  that  I  had 
gone  beyond  my  agreement  and  my  faith  in  asking  this 
last  question,  and  that  1  must  be  contented  at  present 
with  the  answer  to  the  first. 

Her  gentle  spirit  then  saluted  me  and  withdrew.  I  came 
to  myself.  The  doleful  noise  of  the  guards,  and  the  wrang- 
ling and  angry  words  of  the  old  apostate  again  grated  on 
my  ears,   but   Heaven  and  hope  were  in  my  soul. 

Kext  morning  I  related  the  whole  circumstance  of  my 
vision  to  my  two  fellow  prisoners,  who  rejoiced  exceedingly. 
This  may  seem  to  some  like  an  idle  dream,  or  a  romance 
of  the  imagination  ;  but  to  me  it  was,  and  always  will  be, 
a  reality,  both  as  it  regards  what  I  then  experienced  and 
the  fulfilment  afterwards.     ******* 

In  order  to  show  some  pretence  of  respect  for  some  of 
the  forms  of  law.  Judge  Austin  A.  King  now  entered  our 
prison  and  took  our  testimony,  preparatory  to  a  change  of 
venue.  I  shall  never  forget  this  inter^ieAv.  There  stood 
our  Judge,  face  to  face  with  those  who,  by  his  cruelty  and 
injustice,  had  lived  a  cold  half  year  in  a  dungeon.  He 
refused  to  look  us  in  the  eye ;  hung  his  head  and  looked 
like  a  culprit  before  his  betters  about  to  receive  his  doom. 
The  looks  of  guilt  and  misery  i)ortrayed  in  his  countenance 
dui-ing  that  brief  interview  bespoke  more  of  misery  than 
we  had  suffered  during  our  confinement.  I  actually  pitied 
him  in  my  heart.  With  an  extraordinary  effort  and  a 
voice  scarcely  audible,  he  administered  the  oaths  and  with- 
drew. 

By  means  of  this  change  we  were  finally  to  be  removed 
one  hundred  miles  down  the  country,  and  confined  in  the 
prison  at  Columbia,  Boone  County,  to  await  a  final  trial. 

A  long,  dreary  winter  and  spring  had  now  passed  away, 
and  the  time  drew  near  for  our  removal.  We  looked  for- 
ward to  the  change  with  some  degi-ee  of  hope  and  expec- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      263 

tation,  for  it  could  not  be  for  the  worse,  and  might,  per- 
haps, be  for  the  better.  At  any  rate,  the  journey  would 
give  us  a  chance  to  leave  our  dark  and  loathsome  dungeon, 
and  look  upon  the  light  of  day,  the  beauties  of  nature, 
and  to  breathe  the  untainted  air. 

The  morning  of  the  departure  at  length  arrived.  Mr. 
Brown,  the  Sheriff,  entered  oiu-  prison  with  a  fierce  and 
savage  look,  and,  bidding  us  .hold  out  our  hands,  coupled 
us  together  in  pairs,  with  irons  locked  on  our  \vTists,  and 
marched  us  out ;  and,  amid  a  throng  of  i^eople,  placed  us 
in  a  carriage.  Accompanied  with  four  other  guards  on 
horseback,  with  loaded  pistols,,  we  bid  farewell  to  Eich- 
mond. 

It  was  a  pleasant  morning  in  early  summer,  when  all  the 
freshness  and  beauty  of  spring  seemed  blended  in  rich  pro- 
fusion, with  the  productions  peculiar  to  the  season  as  it 
advanced  towards  maturity.  The  leaves  on  the  trees  were 
full  grown,  and  the  forest  presented  a  freshness  of  beauty 
and  loveliness  which  reminded  me  of  Paradise.  The  plains 
were  covered  with  a  coat  of  gTeeu,  and  the  wild  flowers 
of  the  prairie,  blooming  in  all  their  variety,  sent  forth  a 
perfume  which  mingled  with  every  zephyr,  and  wafted 
sweet  odors  on  everj'  breeze.  To  prisoners  who  had 
breathed  only  a  tainted  air  for  half  a  year  the  very 
ground  itself  seemed  to  send  forth  a  sweetness  which  was 
plainly  perceptible  to  the  senses.  We  enjoyed  our  ride 
through  that  delightful  country  more  than  any  being  could 
who  had  never  been  confined  for  weary  months  in  a  dreary 
dungeon. 

The  day  at  length  closed,  and  we  were  taken  into  a 
house  and  stretched  upon  our  backs  on  the  floor,  all  fas- 
tened together  with  Avrist  and  ankle  irons  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  we  could  not  turn  nor  change  our  position.  The 
doors  and  windows  were  then  made  fast,  and  the  sentinels 
on  duty  guarded  us  by  turns  until  morning.  This  was  our 
night's  rest  after  forty  miles   travel. 


264       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

The  next  day  proved  extremely  rainy,  with  heavy  thun- 
der ;  but  still  we  travelled.  In  the  course  of  the  day  we 
came  to  a  stream  which  was  swollen  by  the  rains  to  that 
degree  that  we  had  to  swim  over  it  and  stem  a  swift  cur- 
reut.  This  hindered  us  for  some  hours — in  crossing  over 
with  horses,  wagons,  baggage,  etc. ;  and  as  all  of  us  were 
engaged  in  this  business,  our  chains  were  taken  off  for  the 
time. 

When  we  had  crossed  over,  put  on  our  clothes,  and 
rei)laced  the  baggage,  saddles,  arms,  etc.,  ready  for  a 
start,  it  was  night,  and  we  were  very  weary  and  hungry, 
having  had  no  refreshments  during  the  day.  The  rain  was 
also  pouring  in  torrents,  and  the  night  setting  in  extremely 
dark.  Four  miles  of  wild  country,  partly  covered  with 
forests  and  underwood,  still  lay  between  us  and  the  nearest 
hous.'.  Through  the  hurry  of  the  moment,  or  for  some 
other  reason,  they  neglected  to  replace  our  irons,  and  our 
limbs  were  free.  The  carriage  drove  through  a  thick  forest 
during  the  extreme  darkness,  and  was  several  times  on  the 
eve  of  upsetting.  This  caused  us  to  assume  a  position  for 
saving  ourselves  by  rising  upon  our  feet,  ready  to  jump  out 
in   case   of  the  carriage  upsetting. 

The  Sheriff  and  guards  seeing  this,  rode  close  on  each 
side,  and,  cocking  their  pistols,  swore  they  would  shoot  us 
dead  if  we  attempted  to  leave  the  carriage,  and  that  if  it 
upset  they  would  shoot  us  anyhow,  for  fear  we  might 
attempt  to  escai)e. 

After  two  days  more  of  rain,  hail  and  travel,  we  arrived 
at  Columbia,  where  we  were  immediately  thrust  into  a 
gloomy  dungeon  filled  with  darkness,  filth  and  cobwebs ; 
the  naked  floor  was  our  lodging.  We  had  travelled  hard, 
through  rain  and  fatigue,  for  several  days,  and  on  the  last 
day  had  rode  till  sundown  without  refreshment.  We  were 
extremely  hungry  and  wearj-,  but  received  no  refreshment, 
not  even  a  drink  of  water,  till  late  in  the  evening,  when 
our  new  keeper,   Mr.   John  Scott,  visited  us  with  some  but- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      265 

termilk  and  bread  ;  but  we  were  now  too  much  exhausted 
and  too  low  spirited  to  eat.  We  thanked  him  for  his 
kindness,  and  sank  down  exhausted  on  the  floor,  where  we 
rested  as  well  as  v.e  could  till  morning.  We  saw  no  more 
of  Sherilf  Bro\Nni  or  his  guards,  and  will  now  take  linal 
leave  of  them,  merely  observing  that  they  made  it  a  point 
to  insult  every  black  woman  they  met  on  the  way,  fre- 
quently turning  aside  mth  them  into  the  woods  and  fields. 
On  returning  to  the  company  they  would  boast  and  glory 
in  their  criminal  intercourse  with  them. 

After  spenduig  one  night  in  our  new  dungeon  we  were  call- 
ed on  by  the  Sheriff  to  come  up  into  a  more  comfortable 
apartment,  and  were  treated  with  some  degree  of  humanity. 
We  were  no  longer  troubled  with  guards,  and  even  Luman 
and  Phila  behaved  much  better.  We  had  been  in  our  new 
situation  something  like  a  month,  when  we  were  visited  by 
some  friends  from  Illinois,  from  whom  we  learned  the  fate 
of  our  families   and  friends. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Phelps  rode  one  hundred  and  sixty 
miles  on  horseback,  accompanied  by  her  brother,  a  young 
man  named  Clark.  They  arrived  in  Columbia  and  paid 
us  a  visit  in  prison  about  the  1st  of  July.  My  brother 
Orson  also  arrived  on  horseback  about  the  same  time. 
With  these  friends  we  had  a  good  visit  for  some  days — 
they  being  permitted  to  stay  in  the  prison  with  us.  They 
also  brought  a  letter  from  my  wife,  by  which  I  learned 
that  she  made  her  escape  from  Far  West  to  Quincy, 
Illinois,  with  her  children  and  some  of  her  goods,  by  the 
aid  of  Mr.  DaAdd  Sogers,  of  New  York.  During  this 
journey  they  were  much  exposed  to  hardships  and  trouble, 
having  to  camp  by  the  way,  in  company  ^vith  other  women 
and  children  who  were  in  a  like  condition.  On  crossing 
a  swollen  stream,  Mrs.  Pratt  had  left  the  carriage  to  cross 
on  a  foot  bridge,  leaAing  the  children  to  ride  through  it. 
She  had  just  crossed  over  and  turned  to  look  back,  to  see 
whether    the    carriage   came    through    in    safety,    when    she 


2G6      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

discovered  a  little  girl's  bonnet  floating  down  the  stream, 
and,  on  examination,  as  the  carriage  rose  the  bank,  her 
daughter,  a  girl  of  six  years  old,  was  missing  fiom  the 
carriage.  The  next  moment  she  saw  her  floating  down 
the  swift  current.  She  gave  the  alarm  to  Mr.  Eogers,  the 
driver,  who  instantly  dropped  the  reins  and  sprang  after 
her  into  the  stream. 

At  this  instant  the  horses,  being  high  spirited  and  active, 
began  to  run,  and  would  probably  have  dashed  themselves 
and  the  carriage,  goods,  and  the  other  child  to  pieces 
but  for  the  timely  interference  of  a  large  prong  of  a 
tree,  which  caught  the  carriage  with  such  a  strong  hold 
that  all  was  brought  to  a  stand.  In  the  meantime  Mr. 
Eogers  succeeded  in  rescuing  the  child  and  bringing  her 
safe   to   shore. 

She  had,  as  she  stated,  pitched  head  foremost  out  of 
the  carriage  into  the  water.  One  of  the  wheels  ran  over 
her,  and  crushed  her  fast  into  the  mud  at  the  bottom  of 
the  stream ;  but  as  it  rolled  over  she  caught  the  spokes 
with  her  hands,  and  by  this  means  the  same  weight  that 
crushed  her  down  brought  her  to  the  siuface  and  saved 
her  Ufe.  On  examination  the  marks  of  the  wheel  was 
distinctly  seen  on  both  her  thighs,  which  were  seriously 
injured  and  nearly  broken. 

After  a  wearisome  journey  and  various  toils  and  dan- 
gers, they  at  length  arrived  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  where  Mrs. 
Pratt  rented  a  small  house,  and  by  the  sale  of  a  few 
books,  with  the  use  of  her  two  cows,  which  some  of  the 
brethren  had  brought  from  Missouri  for  her,  she  was  mak- 
ing shift  to  live  from  day  to  day.  She  still  expressed  some 
faint  hopes  of  seeing  her  husband  again  in  a  land  of  liberty, 
although  at  i)resent  there  was  little  groimd  to  hope,  and 
she  was   sometimes  nearly  in   despau*. 

Such  was  the  news  brought  us  by  the  arrival  of  our 
friends  in  the  prison  at  Columbia  on  the  1st  of  July, 
1839,    after    eight  months  of   weary  confinement.     Previous 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      261 

to    theii'    arrival   the    Lord    bad  shown  me    iu  a  yision  of 

the  iiight  the  maimer  aud  means  of  escape.  Aiid,  like 
Pharaoh's  dream,  the  thing-  had  been  doubled — that  is 
shoTm  to  me  on  two  occasions  in   the   same  manner. 

Mrs.  Phelps  had  the  same  thing-  sho^Ti  to  her  iu  a 
■vision  pre\ions  to  her  arrival ;  my  brother,  Orson  Pratt, 
also  came  to  us  with  a  firm  impression  that  we  were 
about  to  be  delivered.  He  even  predicted  that  we  should 
go  to  Illinois,  when  he  shoidd  return  there.  As  we  sat 
pondering  upon  these  things,  and  comiiaring  our  ^'isions 
and  manifestations  of  the  spirit  on  this  subject,  my  brother 
Orson  opened  the  Book  of  Mormon,  when  the  hist  sen- 
tence that  caught  his  eye  was  the  words  of  Ammon  to 
King  Lamoni :  "  Behold,  my  brother  and  my  brethren  are 
in  prison,  in  the  land  of  Middoni,  aud  I  go  to  deliver 
them !"  This  was  indeed  a  similar  instance  to  oms.  Am- 
mon, on  that  occasion  had  an  own  brother  iu  prison,  and 
also  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  did  dehver  theiu.  Our 
case  was  exactly  similar,  not  in  Middoni,  but  in  Missouri. 
And,  what  was  still  more  strange,  in  a  book  of  six  hun- 
dred pages,  this  was  the  only  sentence  which  would  have 
fitted  our  case. 

He  now  began  in  earnest  to  make  arrangements  for  oiu' 
escape.  If  there  had  been  no  strong  bolts  and  bars  to 
overcome,  still  there  was  oue  serious  obstacle  which  a  mir- 
acle alone  could  immediately  remove,  which  was  this :  I 
was  then  very  sick  and  scarcely  able  to  stand  on  my 
feet,  or  to  go  up  and  down  from  the  upper  room,  where 
we  were  in  the  day  time,  to  the  dungeon  where  we  slept. 

It  was  the  second  of  July,  and  our  friends  could  only 
make  an  excuse  for  staying  to  spend  the  great  national 
holiday  with  us  (the  4:th)  before  they  must  leave  or  excite 
the  suspicions  aud  ill  will  of  the  people ;  and,  as  that 
day  had  been  a  lucky  one  for  our  fathers  and  oui-  nation, 
we  had  determined  on  that  time  as  the  proper  one  to 
bid  farewell    to    bondage    and    gain  oui-  hberty.    In  short, 


268       AUTOBIOGRAPHY   OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

we  liad  determined  to  make  that  notable  day  a  jubilee 
to  us,  or  i^erisli  in  the  attempt.  We,  therefore,  i)rayed 
earnestly  to  the  Lord,  that  if  he  had  determined  to  favor 
our  plan,  he  would  heal  and  strengthen  me,  and  give  us 
all  courage  to  act  well  our  jjart.  Through  the  ministra- 
tion of  the  ordinance  appointed  for  healing,  I  was  instantly 
healed,  and  from  that  moment  began  to  feel  as  strong 
and  fearless    as  a  lion. 

Oiu'  jilan  was  this :  My  brother,  Orson  Pratt,  was  to 
wait  on  the  Judge  and  Attorney',  and  obtain  various 
j)apers  and  arrangements  for  summoning  witnesses  from 
Illinois  to  attend  our  trial,  which  had  just  been  adjourned 
for  some  months  to  come.  He  was  also  to  ijrocure  an 
order  from  the  Cornet  to  take  affidavits  in  Illinois,  in  case 
the  witnesses  should  object  to  come  to  the  State  from 
which  they  had  been  banished,  in  order  to  attend  the 
trials. 

These  active  preparations  on  our  jiart  to  defend  our 
case,  together  with  engaging  .  a  lawyer  or  two,  and  pay- 
ing a  part  of  thefr  fees  before  hand,  served  as  a  sufficient 
blindfold  to  cover  oiu-  real  intentions.  This  done,  and  the 
papers  all  prepared  in  the  hands  of  my  brother,  he  and 
Mrs.  Phelps  and  her  brother  were  to  stay  with  us  until 
the  4th,  and  after  celebrating  the  day  with  a  dinner  in 
the  prison  (which  we  obtained  leave  to  do),  he  and  the 
young  jNIr.  Clark  were  to  take  leave  with  their  horses,  and 
also  Tvith  the  horse  and  saddle  on  which  Mrs.  Phelps 
had  ridden,  on  pretence  of  taking  him  home  with  them 
to  Illinois,  while  she  stayed  with  her  husband  a  few 
weeks  in  the  prison ;  in  the  meantime  engaging  her  board 
in  the  family  of  the  keeper,  who  occupied  part  of  the 
building  in  connection  with  the  prison. 

Tills  measure,  on  the  part  of  Mrs.  Phelps,  served  the 
double  piu-pose  of  lulling  them  into  serenity,  and  also  of 
furnishuig  a  third  horse  5  as  there  were  three  of  us. 
These  three  horses   were  to  be    stationed  in    a  thicket,   or 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      269 

forest,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  i)nson,  ami  there  the 
two  friends  Avere  to  await,  in  readiness  for  ns  to  mount, 
should  we  be  so  fortunate  as  to  reach  the  thicket  alive. 

Sundown,  on  the  evening  of  the  fourth,  was  the  mo- 
ment agreed  upon,  and  if  we  did  not  then  appear  they 
were  to  give  us  up  for  lost,  and  make  the  best  of  their 
way  to  Illinois  and  inform  oiu*  Mends  that  we  had  gone 
to  Paradise  in  attempting  to  come  to  them.  The  reason 
for  appointing  this  hour  was  this :  Oiu'  door  woiU«l  be 
opened  at  sundown  to  hand  in  our  supper,  and  we  must 
then  make  the  attempt  as  oiu'  only  chance ;  for  it  was 
customary  to  lock  us  up  in  the  lower  dungeon  as  soon  as 
the  shades  of  evening  began  to  appear. 

This  plan  all  matirred,  and  the  arrangements  completed 
with  the  court  and  the  lawyers,  the  fourth  of  July  dawned 
upon  us  with  hope  and  expectation.  AVhUe  the  town  and 
nation  were  alive  with  the  bustle  of  preparation  for  the 
celebration  of  the  American  Jubilee,  and  while  guiis  were 
firing  and  music  sounding  without,  our  prison  presented  a 
scene  of  scarcely  less  life  and  cheerfulness;  for  we  were 
also  preparing  to  do  proper  honors  to  the  day.  We  had 
prevailed  on  the  keeper  to  furnish  us  with  a  long  pole, 
on  which  to  suspend  a  flag,  and  also  with  some  red  stripes 
of  cloth.  We  then  tore  a  shirt  in  pieces,  and  took  the 
body  of  it  for  the  ground  work  of  a  flag,  forming  with 
the  red  stripes  of  cloth  an  eagle  and  the  word  '■'•  Liberty ^''^ 
in  large  letters.  This  rude  flag  of  red  and  white  was  sus- 
pended on  the  i^ole  from  the  prison  window,  directly  in 
front  of  the  j)ublic  square  and  court  house,  and  composed 
one  of  the  greatest  attractions  of  the  day.  Hundreds  of 
the  people  from  the  coimtry,  as  well  as  "sdllagers  who  were 
there  at  the  celebration,  would  come  up  and  stare  at  the 
flag,  and  reading  the  motto,  would  go  swearing  or  laughing 
away,  exclauning,  "  Liberty  !  Liberty  !  Wliat  have  the  Mor- 
mons to  do  with  celebrating  liberty  in  a  damned  old 
prison  f 


270  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

In  the  meantime  active  preparations  were  in  progress 
for  our  public  dinjier ;  and  with  the  contributions  of  our 
friends  who  were  to  partake  with  us,  and  a  portion  served 
from  the  public  table  of  the  citizens  of  the  town,  we  had 
a  plentiful  sujiply.  And,  as  we  considered  it  was  to  be  a 
day  of  release,  we  partook  of  our  feast  ^yit\l  mucli  cheer, 
and  with  thankful  as  well  as  social  feelings,  which  I  think 
have  been  seldom  if  ever  surpassed. 

O  ye  sons  of  Columbia,  at  home  and  abroad !  Think 
back  to  the  fourth  of  Jidy,  1839;  call  to  mind  your  feast 
in  honor  of  national  freedom,  and  ask  yourselves  the  ques- 
tion, whether  in  aU  3  our  pomp  and  show  of  joy  and  social 
glee,  you  felt  anything  compared  with  our  feelings,  or  the 
interest  excited  during  that  feast. 

Eight  months  and  four  days  we  had  been  deprived  of 
the  sweets  of  that  liberty  which  a  whole  nation  was  then 
engaged  in  celebrating;    and  we  felt  that: 

Now's  the   day,  and  uow's  the  hour, 
To  trample  on  a  tyrant's  power; 
To  burst  at  once  the  prison's  gloom. 
Or  find  a  martyr'd  hero's  tomb. 

The  dinner  over,  our  brethren  took  a  final  leave  of  us 
and  our  prison,  loaded  with  love,  respects,  compliments  and 
messages  to  oiu-  families  and  friends  in  Illinois.  All  these, 
together  with  the  goodbyes  and  farewells,  were  heard  and 
witnessed  by  the  keeper's  family,  and  served  the  purpose 
for  which  they  were  intended,  Aiz. :  To  lull  them  into  se- 
ciuity,  and  to  remove  all  possible  giound  of  suspicion  as 
to  our  intentions. 

After  riding  out  of  town  a  mile  or  two  in  the  forest, 
on  the  road  towards  Illinois,  they  turned  off  into  the  thick 
leaved  wilderness,  and  made  their  way  in  secret,  as  best  as 
they  could,  to  the  thicket  agTeed  upon,  "within  about  half 
a  mile  of  the  prison;  where,  with  horses  saddled  and  bridle 
reins  in  hand,  they  awaited  in  anxious  suspense  the  slow 
progTess  of  the  setting  sun. 


CHAPTER     XXXII. 

Description  of  the  Prison: — Ladies  in  the  Prison: — Evening  of  a  Pubhc  Day: 
— Song: — Obstinate  Coffee  Pot: — Order  of  Attack: — Escape: — Race: — 
Great  Excitement: — Onr  Friends' in  the  Thicket: — Prisoners  Gahi  the 
Thicket : — Flight : — Encounter  : — CUmb  a  Tree  : — Faint : — Prayers  : — Night 
Favors  us  at  Last : — Loss  of  my  Horse  : — Journey  on  Foot : — 
Reflections. 

THE  prison  at  Columbia  was  situated  in  the  same 
square  with  the  court  house,  being  on  the  north  edge 
of  the  town.  Between  it  and  the  wilderness,  where  our 
friends  held  the  horses  in  waiting,  there  were  several 
fields  and  fences,  say  for  the  distance  of  half  a  mile, 
consisting  of  meadow  and  iiasture  land,  and  all  in  full 
view  of  the  town.  The  prison  consisted  of  a  block  • 
house,  two  stories  high,  with  two  rooms  below  and  two 
above.  The  keeper  and  his  family  occuiiied  one  end,  and 
the  other  was  used  as  the  prison — the  only  entrance 
being  through  the  lower  room  of  the  dwelling  part,  which 
was  occupied  by  the  family,  and  then  up  a  steep  flight 
of  stairs,  at  the  head  of  which  was  a  hea\'y  oaken  door, 
ironed,  locked  and  bolted  as  if  to  secure  a  Bonaparte  or  a 
Samson.  On  the  inside  of  this  was  still  another  door, 
which  was  but  slender,  with  a  square  hole  near  the  top, 
of  sufiacient  size  to  hand  in  the  food  and  dishes  of  the 
prisoners. 

The  large,  heavy  door  had  always  to  be  opened  when 
food,  drink,  or  other  articles  were  handed  in  ;  and  while 
open,  the  inner  door  served  as  a  temporary  guard  to  pre- 
vent i)risoners    fropa  escaping,   and  was  not  always  opened 


272      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

on  such  occasions,  the  food  being  handed  through  the  hole 
in  the  top  of  the  door,  while  the  door  itself  remained 
locked.  However,  as  a  fortunate  circumstance  for  us,  the 
coffee  pot  when  filled  would  not  easily  slip  through  the 
hole  in  the  door,  and,  rather  than  spill  the  coffee  and 
bum  his  fingers,  the  keeper  would  sometimes  unlock  and 
open  the  inner  door,  in  order  to  set  in  this  huge  and  ob- 
stinate pot  ;  and  once  in,  the  door  would  immediately 
close,  and  the  key  be  turned,  while  the  outer  door  would 
perhaps  stand  open  till  the  supper  was  finished,  and  the 
dishes  hai>.ded  out. 

a^ow,  oiu'  whole  chance  of  escape  depended  on  the  ques- 
tion, whether  the  inner  door  would  be  opened  that  eve- 
ning, or  the  coffee  pot  squeezed  in  at  the  hole  in  the  top. 
Mrs.  Phelps  and  Mrs.  Gibbs  were  in  the  upper  room  of 
the  keeper's  apartment,  near  the  head  of  the  staii'S,  and 
only  a  log  or  timber  partition  between  us  and  them,  and 
several  open  crevices  in  the  same,  so  that  we  could  easily 
communicate  with  them.  One  of  them  was  waiting  the 
issue  of  the  great  scene  about  to  be  enacted  with  almost 
breathless  interest  and  feverish  anxiety,  as  on  the  good 
or  ill  success  of  that  moment  depended  her  future  hopes 
through  life,  while  the  other  was  "totally  ignorant  of  the 
whole  affair.  In  a  far  corner  of  our  prison  sat  Luman, 
the  old  upostate,  entirely  ignorant  of  the  whole  plan,  and 
xnXh.  no  other  anxiety  than  a  slight  wish  for  the  sun  to 
go  down,  that  he  might  enjoy  his  supper  and  the  society 
of  his  dear  "  Phila "  in  his  curtained  bed  in  the  upper 
room,  while  we  were  locked  in  the  dungeon  below  to 
sleep  on  an  oak  floor,   amid  cobwebs  and  filth. 

The  citizens  of  the  town  were  now  some  of  them  gath- 
ering in  small  gToups  outside  of  their  doors  to  enjoy  the 
quiet  of  a  summer  evening,  to  smoke  a  cigar  or  chat 
over  the  merits  of  the  celebration  ;  while  others  were  on 
horseback,  to  enjoy  an  evening's  ritle  or  to  return  to  their 
homes.    Bands  of  music,  or    rather  an   occasional    beat   of 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      273 

the  drum,  or  blast  of  the  bugle,  was  still  to  be  heard  in 
the  distance  5  while  a  few  soldiers,  or  rather  militia  in 
uniform,  were  hurrying  to  and  fro.  Groups  of  boys  were 
playing  about  the  square,  and  last,  though  not  least,  our 
flag  was  still  on  high,  with  "  Liberty  "  and  the  eagle  in 
bold  colors  waving  to  the  night  breeze.  This  had  so  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  the  little  fellows  that  once  and 
again  they  begged  of  us  to  make  them  a  present  of  it ; 
but  we  told  them  we  could  not  spare  it  till  the  next 
morning — the  fact  is,  we  were  not  willing  to  surrender 
our  castle  before  the  time,  or  till  we  made  good  our 
retreat. 

As  the  sun  began  to  decluie  behind  the  long  range  of 
forest  which  bounded  the  western  horizon,  and  the 
lengthened  shadows  of  the  tall  trees  were  thrown  over 
our  prison,  we  called  ui^on  the  Lord  to  prosper  us  and 
open  our  way,  and  then  sang  aloud  the  following  lines  : 

Lord,   cause  their  foolish  plans   to  fail, 

And  let  them  faint  or  die  : 
Our   souls   would   quit  this  poor   old  jail, 

And   fly   to    Illinois — 

To  join  with  the   embodied  Saints, 

"Who  are  with  freedom    blest : 
That  only  bliss  for  which  we  pant, 

With  them   awhile   to  rest. 

Give  joy  for  grief — give  ease  for  pain. 

Take  all   our  foes   away ; 
But  let   us   find   our   friends   again 

In   this   eventful   day. 

These  lines  were  sung  several  times  over,  with  the  spirit 
and  with  the  understanding  also,  and  very  loud  and  dis- 
tinct— being  heai"d  by  the  old  apostate  and  liis  wife,  and 
by  the  keepers  of  the  prison  ;  but  the  doctruie  of  spirit- 
ualizing had  become  so  prevalent  that  neither  this,  nor 
the  flag  of  liberty,  nor  any  other  Scripture  seemed  to  them 

18 


274      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLHY  P.  PRATT. 

to  hare  any  literal  meaning,   till   they  found  too    late    the 
true  interpretation  by  the    fulfilment. 

The  sun  was  now  setting,  and  the  footsteps  of  the  old 
keeper  were  heard  on  the  stairs — the  key  turned,  the 
outer  door  grated  on  its  huge  hinges,  while  at  the  same 
moment  we  sprang  upon  our  feet,  hats  and  coats  on 
(rather  an  unusual  di"ess  for  a  hot  day  in  July — for,  by 
the  bye,  my  hat  proved  to  be  a  fiir  cap,  which  I  wore 
when  first  taken  in  November  previous),  and  stood  by  the 
door  to  act  the  part  of  waiters  in  receiving  the  dishes 
and  food  for  supper,  and  placing  them  on  the  table.  Dish 
after  dish  was  handed  in  through  the  small  aperture  in 
the  door,  and  duly  received  and  placed  upon  the  table 
by  us,  with  as  much  grace  and  as  calm  countenances  as 
if  we  thought  of  nothing  else  but  our  suj)pers.  And  I 
will  now  venture  to  say  that  famishing  men  never  watched 
the  movements  of  a  coffee  pot  with  more  anxiety  than  we 
did  on  this  occasion.  At  length  the  other  dishes  all 
being  handed  in,  the  huge  pot  made  its  appearance  in  the 
hole  in  the  top  of  the  door,  but  one  of  us  cried  out  to 
the  keeper — "  Colonel,  you  will  only  spill  the  coffee  by 
attempting  to  put  it  through,  besides,  it  bums  our  fingers; 
it  will  be  more  convenient  to  unlock  and  hand  it  in  at 
the  door."  With  this  it  was  lowered  down  again,  and 
the  key  turned  on  the  inner  door. 

In  this,  as  in  most  other  fields  of  battle,  where  liberty 
and  life  depend  on  the  issue,  every  one  understood  the 
part  assigned  to  him  and  exactly  filled  it.  Mr.  Follett 
was  to  give  the  door  a  sudden  pull,  and  fling  it  wide 
open  the  moment  the  key  was  turned.  Mr.  Phelps  being 
well  skilled  in  wrestling  was  to  press  out  foremost,  and 
come  in  contact  with  the  jailer ;  I  was  to  follow  in  the 
centre,  and  Mr.  Follett,  who  held  the  door,  was  to  bring 
up  the  rear,  while  sister  Phelps   was  to    pray. 

No  sooner  was  the  key  turned  than  the  door  was  seized 
by  Mr.  Follett  with  both  hands  ;  and  with  his  foot  placed 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      275 

against  the  wall,  lie    soo  u    opened    a    passage,    which    was 
in  the  same    instant  iillcd  by    Mr.    Phelps,    and    foUowed 
by  myself  and    Mr.  Follett.    The   old   jailer    strode    across 
the  way,  and  stretched  out  his  arms  like    Bnnyan'g  Apol- 
lion,   or  like  the  giant  Despair  in  Doubting   Castle,  but  aU 
to  no  purpose.     One  or  two  leaps  brought    us  to  the  bot- 
tom of  the    stairs,    carrying    the    old    gentleman    with    us 
headlong,    helter  skelter,   while  old  Luman  sat  and  laughed 
in  his  corner  of  the  prison,    and    Mrs.    Phelps    exclaimed, 
"  O   Lord   God  of  Israel,  thou  canst  help."    Old  Mrs.  Gibbs 
looked    on    in    silent    amazement,    while    the     jailer's    Avifc 
acted  the  part  of  the  giant  Despair's  wife,  Difladence,  and 
not  only    assisted  in  the  scuffle,  but  cried  out  so  loud  that 
the  town  was  soon  alarmed.     In  the  mean  time  we    found 
ourselves  in  the  open    air,   in    front  of  the    prison  and    in 
full  Aiew  of  the  citizens,   who    had   already    commenced    to 
rally,    wMle  Mr.    Phelps    and  the   jailer    stiU  cliiKihed    fast 
hold  of  each  other    like  two  mastiffs.     However,  in  another 
instant  he  cleared  himself,  and  we  were  all  three   scamper- 
ing off  through  the  fields  towards  the  thicket. 

By  this  time  the  town  was  all    in  motion.       The  quiet- 
ness of  the  evening  was   suddenly  changed  into  noise  and 
bustle,   and  it  was  soon  evident    that    the  thrilling  scenes 
of  the  great  drama  of  the  4th  of  July,  and  of  the  Colum- 
bian celebration  of    liberty  were  yet    to   be  enacted.      The 
streets  on  both   sides  of  the  fields  where  we   were  running 
were  soon  thronged  with  soldiers  in  uniform,  mounted  rifle- 
men, footmen  with    fence    stakes,   clubs,   or    with    whatever 
came    to    hand,   and    with    boys,    dogs,    etc.,    all    running, 
rushing,   screaming,   swearing,   shouting,   bawling   and  look- 
ing,  while  clouds  of  dust  rose  behind  them.        The    cattle 
also  partook  of  the   general  panic  and  ran  bellowing  away, 
as  if   to  hide  from  the  scene.       The  fields  behind  us  also 
presented   a  similar  scene.      Fences  were  leaped  or  broken 
down  with   a  crash;   men,   boys  and   liorses  came  tumbling 
over  hedge  and  ditch,   rushing  witli  the    fury  of    a  whirl- 


276      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Wind  in  the  chase  ;   but  ^e  kept  our  course  for  the  thicket 
our  toes  barely  touching  the  ground,  while  we  seemed    o 
leap  with  the  fleetness  of  a  deer,   or  as    the    young    hait 
upon  the  mountains. 


i:Sl'APl''.    FROM    PRISON'. 

Our  friends  who  had  stood  waiting    in  the  thicket,  had 
watched  the  last  rays  of  the  sun  as  they  faded  away   and 
had  observed   the  quiet  stillness  of   the  evening  as  it  be- 
.an  to  steal  over  the  cUstant  viUage  where  we  were  con- 
Led  •     and    had    listened    with    almost    breathless  anxiety 
for    tLe    first    sound    which    was  to   set  all  things  m  com- 
niotion,   and  which  woald  say  to  them  in  laaguage  not  to 
l>e  misunderstood,  that  the  struggle  had  commenced.     Fo 
some  moments  after  the  last   golden  beam  had  disappeared 
they  listened  in  vain.      The  occasional  lowing  of  a  cow  as 
she  came  home  from  the  woodland  pasture,   impatient    for 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


277 


her  calf  and  the  milkmaid  to  ease  lier  of  lier  rick  burthen; 
the    mingled    sound    of    human    voices    in    the  distance  in 
common  conversation,  the  merry  laugh  of  the  young  beaux 
and  their  sweethearts,  the  quiet  song  of  the  whippoorwill, 
mingled   with  the  merry  notes  of    the  viohn,   the    thriU  of 
the  bugle,  or    the    soft    and    plaintive    notes   of   the  flute, 
stole  upon  the  silence  of  the  evening,  and  were  occasion- 
aUy  interrupted  by  the  clatter  of   hoofs,   as   a  few  of   the 
citizens  were  retii'ing  from  the  enjoyments  of  a  public  day 
to  their  own  peaceful  homes  in  the  country.      These,  and 
the  beatings  of  their  anxious  and  almost  bursting  hearts, 
were  the  only  soimds  which    fell  upon    thek  ear,  till  sud- 
denly   they    heard    a    rumbling    and   confused  noise,  as  of 
footsteps  rushing  down  the  stairs  of  a  prison,  then  a  shrOl 
cry  of  alarm  from  Mrs.  Diffidence,  the   giantess,  and  soon 
foUowed  by  the  shouts  and  rush  of  men,  dogs,  horses  and 
prisoners  towards  the  spot  where  they  were  located.     They 
then    sprang    forward    to    the    edge  of   the  fields  and  ran 
back  again  to  the  horses,   and    again  returned,   as    if   the 
using    of   their  own  hmbs   would  serve  to  add  nimbleness 
to  those  of  the  prisoners,  and  to  quicken  their  speed. 

As  soon  as  the    prisoners  drew  near,  they    were    hailed 
by  their  friends,   and  conducted  to  the  borses.      They  were 
breathless  and  nearly  ready    to  faint ;    but    in    a    moment 
they    were    assisted    to  mount,   and  a  whip  and  the  rems 
placed    in  their  hands,  while  the  only  words  interchanged 
were— "Fly  quickly,  they  are  upon  you!"        "Which  way 
shall  we  go "?"      "  Where  you  can  ;  you  are  akeady  nearly 
surrounded."     "But  what  wiU  you  do?  they  will  kill  you 
if   they    cannot    catch    us."       "We  will  take  care  of  our- 
selves;   fly,  fly,   I  say,  instantly."       These  words  were  ex- 
changed   with    the    quickness    of    thought,  while    we  were 
mounting    and    reining    oiu^  horses;  in  another  instant  we 
were    all    separated   from    eacb    other,   and    each    one  was 
making  the  best    shift    he    could    for   his    owu    individual 
safety. 


278      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

I  had  taken  about  the  third  jump  with  my  horse  when 
I  encountered  a  man  rushing  upon  me  with  a  rifle,  and, 
taking  aim  at  my  head,  he  said,  "G — d  d — n  you,  stop, 
or  111  shoot  you."  He  was  then  only  a  few  jjaces  from 
me,  and  others  were  rushing  close  in  his  rear,  but  I  turned 
my  horse  quickly  in  another  direction,  and  rushed  with 
all  speed  into  the  thickest  of  the  forest,  followed  for  some 
minutes  by  him  and  his  dog ;  but  I  soon  found  myself 
alone,  while  I  could  only  hear  the  sound  of  distant  voices, 
the  rushing  of  horsemen  in  every  direction,  with  the  bark- 
ing of  dogs.  "WTiat  had  become  of  my  comjianions  or 
oiu*  friends  I  knew  not.  I  rode  on  at  full  speed  for  a 
mile  or  moi'e,  when  the  woods  terminated,  and  no  alterna- 
tive was  left  for  me  but  to  go  either  to  the  right  or  to 
the  left  into  one  of  the  public  highways  where  I  would 
be  every  moment  exposed  to  my  pursuers,  or  go  over  the 
fence  and  pass  through  the  open  fields  to  the  wilderness 
beyond,  or,  on  the  other  hand,  to  turn  back  into  the  heart 
of  the  forest,  partly  towards  the  town  and  prison  from 
whence  I  had  escaped.  As  horse's  feet  and  men's  voices 
were  already  heard  along  the  highways  which  lay  on  each 
side  of  me,  I  determined  upon  the  latter.  I,  therefore, 
changed  my  course,  took  my  back  track,  and  plunged  into 
the  depth  of  the  forest.  I  then  dismounted,  tied  my  horse 
in  a  thicket,  walked  some  distance  from  him  and  climbed 
a  tree — intending  to  wait  in  this  situation  amid  the  con- 
cealment of  the  thick  foliage  till  the  darkness  of  evening 
would  ehable  me  to  proceed  with  safety.  Seating  myself 
in  one  of  its  forked  branches,  and  placing  my  arms  in 
two  other  similar  forks,  I  was  supported  from  falling,  al- 
though in  a  moment  after  I  had  ceased  my  exertions  I 
fainted  away.  In  this  situation  I  remained  for  some  time, 
without  the  least  power  to  change  my  position  or  help 
myself;  my  breath  was  gone  through  over  exertion,  and 
my  mouth  and  throat  parched  with  a  burning  thirst,  my 
stomach  sickened,   and  as  I  began  again  to   breathe  I  was 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      279 

seized  with  vomiting,  and  threw  up  nearly  all  the  food 
which  my  stomach  contained.  I  then  graduaUy  recovered 
my  strength  tiU  I  could  speak,  when  I  began  to  caU  on 
the  Lord,  saying,  "O  Lord,  strengthen  me  this  once,  de- 
hver  me  from  my  persecutors  and  bring  me  in  safety  to 
a  land  of  liberty,  and  I  will  praise  thy  name  and  give 
thee  all  the  glory,  and  the  remnant  of  my  days  shaU  be 
wholly  devoted  to  thy  service^  for  siu-ely  my  life  is  now 
at  stake,  and  if  preserved,  it  is  thy  gift,  therefore  I  shaU 
owe  it  all  to  thee." 

The  darkness  of   evening    was  now  fast  setting  in,   and 
every  moment  seemed    to  increase  my  safety  and    security 
from  immediate  discovery,   although    I  could  still  hear  the 
distant   sound  of   tramping  horses,   and  the  voices  of  men 
and  dogs  in  pursuit,   and  sometimes  so  near  that  I  could 
distinguish  some  of  their  words.     It  was  a  dark  and  moon- 
less evening,  the  sky  was   only  lighted  by  the  ghmmer  of 
a  few  stars  partly  obscured  by  the  clouds,   and  the  thick 
foliage    of   the    forest    increased    the  gloom,  and  served  to 
render    the  darkness   nearly  complete.       I  now  came  down 
from  the  tree  and  felt  my  way  to  the  place  where  I  had 
tied  my  horse,  but  as  good  or  iH  luck  would  have  it,   he 
had  loosed  himself  and  gone,   leaving  me  to  my  fate.       I 
then   groped  my  way  amid  the  dark   shades  of    the   forest 
to    a   small  stream  of    warm,    muddy  water,   and,  stooping 
down,  partly  quenched  my  thirst.       I  then  made  my  way 
to   the  highway  and  commenced  my  journey  oa   foot,  care- 
fiiUy  watching  on  either  hand  lest    I    should   be    surprised 
and  taken. 

I  was  an  entire  stranger  to  the  country— having  uo 
guide  but  the  polar  star.  My  road  lay  nearly  northward, 
and  upwards  of  a  hundred  mHes  of  a  wild  country,  peo- 
pled only  by  enemies,  stiU  lay  between  me  and  a  State 
where  the  principles  of  freedom  yet  prevailed  in  a  sulfi- 
cient  degTee  to  insure  my  safety.  If  I  could  make  my 
way  through  this  wilderness  of  enemies,  on  foot,  after  the 


280 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PEATT. 


weakness  and  debility  caused  by  eight  months'  confine- 
ment, and  after  the  fatigues  of  my  evening's  race,  and 
neither  inquire  the  way  nor  make  my  appearance  ac  anj'^ 
house  for  entertainment  and  refreshment,  then  I  should 
still  have  the  great  Mississippi  River  to  ferry  over,  and 
be  liable  to  be  discovered  and  retaken  m  the  act,  while 
in  sight  of  liberty.  The  thoughts  of  these  dangers,  the 
anxious  inquiries  of  my  mind  as  to  what  had  become  of 
my  fellow  j^risoners  and  friends,  which"  I  had  no  means 
of  satisfying,  and  the  hopes  and  expectations  of  soon 
meeting  my  family  and  friends  in  a  land  of  liberty,  alter- 
nately occupied  my  mind  as  I  slowly  pursued  my  solitary 
way  during  that  dark  and,  to  me,  eventful  night. 


CHAPTER      XXXIII. 

Dawn: — Bewildered  in  a  Forest: — Beautiful  Valley: — Escape  of  Phelps: — Dia- 
logue:— His  Final  Escape  and  Arrival  in  Illinois: — Fate  of  our  Two 
Friends  : — Interview  between  ray  Brother  Orson  and  niv  Wife : — She  Pre- 
pares for  my  Reception: — Disappointment: — Excitement: — Search: — Sus- 
pense:— Scenes  at  the  Prison: — Treatment  of  Mrs.  Phelps: — Mr.  Follet, 
Retaken: — His  Return  to  Prison: — Chains: — Escape  of  Mrs.  Phelps: — Fi- 
nale of  Luman  and  Phila. 

A  T  leng'tli  tlie  morning  began  to  dawn,  but  it  proved 
■^-^  to  be  a  cloudy  day;  no  mark  was  left  in  the  heav- 
ens to  determine  the  point  of  compass,  while  at  the  same 
time  my  road  became  every  moment  more  obscure,  and 
finally  terminated  iii  a  deer  path,*  which  wound  along  among 
the  hills  and  vales  of  a  dense  and  entirely  unsettled  forest, 
and  finally  disappeared.  It  was  now  broad  day.  The  Tvild 
forest  extended  around  far  and  wide,  with  no  sign  of  hu- 
man existence  or  occupation.  I  still  wandered  slowly  on, 
not  knowing  whether  I  was  every  moment  travelUng  near- 
er to  friends,  and  home,  and  liberty,  or  to  the  place  of 
dreary  confinement.  The  deer  and  wild  turkey  occasionally 
started  up  before  me,  and  the  howl  of  the  wolf  was  heard 
in  the  distance.  At  length  I  came  to  a  beautiful  clear 
stream,  which  seemed  to  wind  through  a  fine  valley.  The 
wild  flowers  blooming  in  richest  variety  sent  forth  sweet 
odors,  and  the  birds  of  the  forest  were  pouring  forth  in 
l)rofusion  their  morning    songs. 

I  now  sat  down  in  safety,  and  took  a  small  biscuit  from 
my  pocket  which  sister  Phelps  had  kindly  provided,  and 
which  was  my  only  store  of  food  for  the  journey.    With  a 


282      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

hearty  drink  from  the  crystal  stream  aucl  this  busciiit  I 
made  my  first  breakfast,  after  my  imprisonment,  as  a  free 
son  of  Cohimbia.  I  recollect  that  while  I  sat  enjoying  this 
solitary  meal,  far  from  friends  and  home,  surrounded  with 
a  scenery  strange  and  wild,  and  without  any  guide  or  any 
knowledge  where  I  should  claim  the  next  refreshment,  I 
thought  of  the  sweets  of  liberty  1  now  enjoyed,  and  with  a 
thankful  and  joyous  heart  I  exclaimed  aloud,  "  Thank  God 
for  this  hour,  it  is  the  happiest  of  my  life  5  I  am  free, 
although  lost  m  the  wilderness,  and  if  I  cannot  find  my- 
self, thank  God  nobody  else  can  find  me."  In  this  happy 
valley  the  reader  may  leave  me  to  rest  awhUe  if  he  chooses, 
while  he  looks  after  the  fate  of  the  other  prisoners  and 
our  two  friends,  and  also,  Mrs.  Phelps  and  the  affairs  of 
the  prison ;  bearing  in  mind  at  the  same  time  that  he 
must  return  again  and  accompany  me  through  the  whole 
dangers,  toils  and  incidents  of  my  journey  to  a  land  of 
liberty. 

At  the  time  we  were  separated  in  the  heat  of  the  pur- 
suit, Mr.  Phelps  made  his  escape  much  in  the  same  manner 
as  myself.  He  was  at  first  closely  pursued,  but  at  length 
he  out  distanced  them  all,  and,  once  out  of  their  sight,  he 
struck  directly  into  the  road,  and  rode  on  toward  HUnois. 
He  had  proceeded  a  few  mUes  on  his  way,  when  he  was 
suddenly  surrounded  in  the  darkness  of  the  night  by  a 
company  of  horsemen  who  were  out  in  pursuit  of  the  pris- 
oners. They  immediately  hailed  him,  and  cried  out,  "Say, 
stranger,  G — d  damn  you,  what  is  your  name?"  He  replied 
in  the  same  rough  and  careless  manner,  "  You  damned 
rascals,  what  is  yours  f  On  finding  he  could  damn  as  well 
as  themselves,  they  concluded  he  could  not  be  a  Mormon, 
while  his  bold  and  fearless  manner  con\^ced  them  that 
he  was  not  a  man  who  was  fleeing  for  his  life.  They  then 
begged  his  pardon  for  the  rough  manner  in  which  they 
had  accosted  him,  "  Oh,  you  are  one  of  the  real  breed. 
By   G — d,   no  damned  Mormon    could  counterl'eit  that  Ian- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PEATT.      283 

guage,   you  swear  real    natteialj    liurrah  for    old  Kentuck. 

But  Avliar  mouglit  you  live,    stranger  f     He  replied,   "just 
up    here;     you    mout    a    kno'd    me,    and    then     agin    you 
moutn't.     I  thmk  I've    seed  you    aU  a  heap  o'  times,   but 
I've  been  so  damned  drunk  at  the  fourth  of  independence, 
I  hardly  know  myself  or  anybody  else,  but  huiTah  for  old 
Kentuck ;   and  what  about  the  damu'd  Mormons  ?"    "  What 
about  'em "?  egad,  you'd  a,  know'd  that  without  axin',  if  you'd 
a  seed  'em  run."     ''What!    they  are  not  out  of  prison,    are 
they  ?"    "  Out  of  prison !    Yes,  the  damn'd  rascals  raised  a 
flag  of  Hberty  in  open  day,  and  bm-st  out,  and  down  stars 
right  in    the  midst  of    the  public  celebration,  out  rassling 
the  damn'd  jailer,  and  outnmning  the  whole  town  in  a  fah- 
foot  race.    They  reached  the  timber  jist  as  they  war  over- 
taken, but    afore  we  could    cotch  'em  they   mounted    their 
nags,  and  the  way  they  cleared  was   a  caution  to  Crockett. 
We  tuk    one  on  'em,   and  seed  the  other  two    a  few  feet 
distant,    rushin'  their    nags   at   fuU  speed,   but  we  couldn't 
cotch  'em  nor  shoot  'em  either ;   I  raised  my  new  Kentucky 
rifle,  fresh  loaded  and  primed,  ^ith  a  good  percussion,  and 
taking  fair    aim  at  one    of    their  heads   only   a  few  yards 
distant,  I  fired,  but  the  damn'd  cap  burst,  and  the  powder 
woukbi't  burn."     "  WeU,  now,  stranger,  that's  a  mighty  big 
story  and    seems    enemost    onpossible.      Did    you   say  you 
cotched  one  on  'em  f     Why  I'd    a    tho't  you'd  a  kilt    him 
on    the    spot;    what    have    you    done    with    him?"     "They 
tuk  him  back    to  prison,   I  suppose,    but  it    was  only  the 
old  one.     If    it    had    been    one    o'  them    tother    chaps  we 
would   a  skinn'd  'em   as  quick   as  Crockett   woidd   a    coon, 
and  then  eat  'em   aUve  without  leaving  a  grease  spot." 

This  interview  over,  the  horsemen  withdrew  and  left 
Phelps  to  pursue  his  way  in  peace.  He  rode  on  dming 
the  night  without  fiuther  molestation;  but  when  day  ap"- 
peared  he  found  himself  in  rather  an  awkward  fix  for  a 
traveUer,  having  lost  his  hat  in  the  race  the  precedmg 
day  J    he  was,  therefore,    bareheaded,   besides,  his  face  was 


284  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PAULEY     P.     PRATT. 

somewhat  bruised  and    scratched  in    the  scuffle;    however, 
he  conchuled  to  make  the  best  of  it,   and  trust  to  Provi- 
dence for  the  issue.    Riding  up  to  a  farm  house  to  call  for 
breakfast  and  to  have  his    horse   fed,   he  began  to  banter 
the    host  to  sell    him  an    old  straw  hat  5     "  For,"   said  he, 
"I  got  such    a    power  of    drink    last    evening  at  the  big 
doings  that  I  couldn't  ride  straight,   and  tumbled  off   my 
horse    once    or    twice,   and    finally   lost  my  hat."     Judging 
from  his  manuer,   and  the  dirt  and  scratches    on  his  face, 
they  readUy   believed  his  tale,   and  furnished  him   with  an 
old,  wide-brimmed,  miserable  lookhig  hat,  which   served  as 
a  very  good  disguise  during  the  remainder  of  the  journey. 
Himself  and  horse  refreshed,   he  renewed  his  journey,  and 
finally    arrived    in   Illinois    in    safety,  having    reached    the 
ferry  before  his  pursuers,  and  before  the  news  of  the  escape 
had  spread  so    for.     By  his  arrival  the  news  soon  spread 
far  and   wide  that   we  had  made  our  escape    from  prison, 
and  that   we  might    be  looked    for    soon.     This  news  was 
received  with  a  general  joy,    and  produced   a  lively   sensa- 
tion,   not    only    throughout    the    Society,    but    among    the 
public,   generally— for    aU    parties   had    looked    upon  us  as 
martyrs,  doomed  to  suffer  the  vengeance  of  a  set  of  blood- 
thirsty outlaws  and  murderers.    My  brother,  O.   Pratt,   and 
the  young    Mr.   Clark,   who  furnished    us   with  the  horses, 
must  now  be  looked  after. 

When  we  parted  in  the  thicket,  as  has  been  before  de- 
scribed, they  had  only  time  to  flee  a  few  paces,  when  they 
found  themselves  completely  siu^rounded  on  every  hand,  and 
no  possibility  left  them  of  escape  by  running  ;  they,  there- 
fore, dropped  down  into  a  small  ravine  which  had  been  made 
by  the  water  during  some  former  freshet,  and  there  lay 
as  close  to  the  earth  as  a  young  quail  when  its  nest  is 
disturbed.  Th6  enemy  passed  close  by  them  a  number  of 
times,  and  so  very  near  that  they  dared  not  to  make  the 
least  motion— not  even  to  look  up  to  see  whether  they 
were  discovered. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      285 

At  length  night  came  on ;  the  pursuers  retired,  and  they 
arose  and  pursued  their  journey  on  foot,  and  arrived  safely 
in  Illinois  soon  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Phelps.  My  brother 
immediately  repaired  to  the  residence  of  my  wife  and  chil- 
dren, who  were  waiting  his  return  in  anxious  suspense,  in 
hopes  to  hear  some  news  from  me,  whom  they  considered 
still  in  prison— not  having  as  yet  heard  any  news  of  the 
escape.  As  he  entered  the  door  Mrs.  P.  raised  her  anx- 
ious and  sorrowful  eyes,  and  eagerly  inquired: 
''Have  you  seen  my  husband!" 
"  I  have." 

"Is  he  yet  alive f 
''  Yes." 

"Is  he  wein" 
"  He  is." 

"O,  thank  God  for  that!  Is  there  any  prospect  that 
he  will  ever  get  free  and  return  alive?" 

"  Well,  I  hope  so ;  for  the  last  time  I  saw  him  he  was 
astride  a  horse  in  the  woods,  and  headed  towards  home 
on  a  gallop." 

I  shall  not  attempt  to  describe  her  feelings  at  that  mo- 
ment, as  the  reader  can  best  imagine  them;  but  suffice 
it  to  say,  after  her  first  transports  were  over  he  sat  down 
and  related  to  her  the  whole  affair  which  had  transpired 
up  to  the  time  he  last  saw  me.  She  was  now  full  of 
hope  and  expectation— although  mingled  with  fear  and 
anxiety  indescribable.  If  I  eluded  the  pursuit  of  my 
enemies  and  arrived  in  safety  it  was  now  time  to  look 
for  my  arrival;  but  if,  on  the  other  hand,  I  was  taken 
back  and  chained  down  in  a  dimgeon ;  or  if  I  was  shot 
down  and  left  without  a  burial  to  be  a  prey  to  wolves 
and  turkey  buzzards,— Oh,  dreadful  thought!  Oh,  horri- 
ble suspense !  Oh,  the  hope,  joy,  sorrow,  anguish,  misery, 
happiness,  phrenzy,  and  feelings  undefined  which  agitate 
and  distract  the  bosom  of  a  wife  and  mother  at  such  a 
moment !    If  man— hard-hearted,  unfeeling  man— could  read 


286      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PEATT. 

the    heart    of   a  woman    on    such    an    occasion,  he    would 
never  more  drive,  imprison  or  kill  his  fellow  man. 

She  soon  set    about    preparing  for  the  reception  of   her 
husband,   in    case    he    should    arrive,  faint    and    exhausted 
with  hunger  and  fatigue.      The  table  was  spread,  and  food 
placed    upon    it;     the    house   was    illuminated    through  the 
night,  during  which    her    anxious   and  beating  heart  would 
not    suffer    her    for    one    moment    to    sleep.      She    watched 
duiing    the    entire   night,  and  on   several  occasions  opened 
the  door    and  looked  abroad;  but  still  the  morning  dawned 
and    he    came    not.      Surely,   thought   she,   he    is    slain    or 
again  confined  m  a  dungeon,  loaded  with   chains,  and  ke])t 
for  a  sure    prey  to  glut    the   vengeance  of   a    furious    mob 
who  have  been  disappointed  of  the  rest  of  their  victims. 
The  excitement  now  became  general;   friends  crowded  in 
to    inquire    the  news   and    to    sympathize  with  her,  and  to 
endeavor,  if  possible,  to  keep  up  her  hopes.      They  argued 
that  the  same  God  who  had  delivered  him  from  prison,  and 
strengthened    him    in   the   chase,   and    the    same    God   wlio 
prevented    the    powder    from    taking    fire  when    the  deadly 
rifle   was    aimed    at    him,  would    also    stand    by    him,   and 
bring  hun  safely  to  his  Mends  and  home.      This,  in  some 
measure,  still  kept  her   spiiits  from  sinking  in   despair. 

Armed  men  were  now  despatched  in  various  directions 
along  the  river,  and  into  Missouri,  to  endeavor,  if  possible, 
to  meet  with  him  and  protect  him  home.  Another  day 
and  night  at  length  passed  away  in  the  same  suspense, 
no  tidings  having  been  heard  from  him  nor  fi^om  any  of 
those  who  had  gone  in  search.  The  pursuers,  however, 
were  known  to  be  at  the  ferry  on  the  other  side  of  the 
river,  watching  his  arrival.  The  same  precaution  was  taken 
by  them  at  all  the  public  ferries  for  some  distance  up 
and  down   the  river. 

The  suspense  and  anguish  of  her  aehing  bosom  now  be- 
came intolerable;  in  vain  they  continued  to  assure  her 
that    be  would-  be    preserved    and   retui^n   in    safety.      She 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       287 

could  plainly  see    that,  while    they  sought    to    comfort    her 
with  hope,  they  themselves  were  half  iu  doubt  and  begin- 
^   ning    to    despaii^    of    his    deliverance.      Another    long    day 
passed  and  another  night  set  in,  and  still  no  news— except 
that    the    ferries    on    the    Missouri    side   were    all    strictly 
guarded,  and    the    entire   people    on    the    lookout    to    take 
him  dead  or  ahve.      She   had   now  kept   her   table    spread 
both    day   and    night,    and    had   watched    for    three    entire 
nights    without    sleep.      ''He    cannot    be    alive    and    free," 
exclaimed  she,  "  or  I  know  he  would  fly  to  meet  the  fond 
welcome  of  his  wife  and  children,  and  relieve  their  aching 
hearts." 

We  must  low  return  with    our   readers   to  the  prison  at 
Columbia,  and  take  a  glance  at  the  scenes  which  followed 
our  departure,  and  learn  the  fate  of  Mr.  FoUett  and  Mrs. 
Phelps.      As    soon    as   the   prisoners    had  cleared  from  the 
jailer,  and  were  fairly  under  way,  Mrs.  Phelps,  who  was  still 
an  inmate  of  the  dwelling,  became  the  particular  object  of 
their    spite    and    rage.      The    old  jailer    and   his  wifj   com- 
menced   to    rail    and    curse    her    as    the    author    of  all  the 
mischief.      They   threatened    her    with    instant    death,    and 
finally  turned  her    out  of  doors  in   the  dusk  of   the  even- 
ing,  and    in    the    midst   of    a   mob    who    had    gathered    in 
great  numbers  around  the  prison  and  raging  like  so  many 
tigers    disappointed   of  their   prey.      Being  a  stranger    and 
without    money,  friends,  or  acquaintances  in  the  place,  she 
knew   not  where    to    go   or  what    to    do.      She   finally  sat 
down  in  the  open  air  in  the  midst  of  the  mob,  by  whom 
she  was    assailed,  cursed,  insulted,  threatened,   and   abused 
in   the   most   unfeeling   manner    for    some    time.      But   she 
stiU  remained  on  the  spot,  and   scarcely  noticed    tlie  slang 
and   abuse    of  the   raging   rabble,  so   intent  was  she  upon 
the  issue  of  the    race— not   knowing   from  one  moment  to 
the    other  whether    her    husband  would   be   shot   down,  or 
whether  he  would  be  taken  and  brought  back  in  triumph. 
At    length,  after   a  watchful   glance   towards    the  wilder- 


288 


AUTOBIOaKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PEATT. 


ness,  she  heard  the  shout  of  triumph   amidst  the  hosts  of 
the  enemy,  and  next  was  re-echoed  fiom   crowd  to  crowd, 
amid  voUies   of  oaths,  curses  and  exulting  laughs,  "We've 
catched  one   of  the  damn'd  Mormon's  and  we'll   roast  him 
aUve    over    a    slow    fiie,    damn    him."      They    now   raUied 
around    her    in    gxeat    numbers,  exulting    and    threatemng 
and  boasting  that  they  had  taken  her  husband  and  woidd 
kiU  him  on  the  spot.      Whde  they  were  thus  abusing  her 
she    saw    another    crowd    coming    and    a    prisoner    m    the 
midst,  on   whom    they  were  venting    theii^    rage,   as    it    he 
would   be   torn  to  pieces.      As   they    approached   nearer   it 
proved  to  be  Mr.  EoUet,  on   Mrs.  Phelps'  horse    and   side- 
saddle.     He    had   been  surrounded,  overpowered  and  taken 
at    the     time    we    were    each    separated    from    the    other. 
He  was    finallv   rescued    fi'om    the    mob,  and    thrust    abve 
into    the    lower  dungeon    and    chained  down   to    the   floor 
He  remained  in  this  doleful   situation   for  a  few  days,  td 
the  wrath  of  the  multitude  had  time  to  cool  a  little,  and 
then  he  was    unchained   by  the   Sheriff  and  again  brought 
into    the   upper    apartment    and   treated  ^-iih    some  degree 

of  kindness.  . 

They  now  laughed  with  him  about  his  adventure,  praised 
him  for  his  bravery,  and  called  him  a  good  feUow.  The 
truth  of  the  matter  was,  they  had  no  great  desu-e  to  takp 
the  lives  of  any  but  those  whom  they  had  considered 
leaders;  and  since  they  had  discovered  that  Mr.  FoUett 
and  Mr  Phelps  were  not  considered  reUgious  leaders 
among  our  Society,  they  were  in  no  great  danger,  except 
they  should  happen  to  be  kdled  in  the  heat  of  excitement 

or  passion. 

We  now  leave  him  in  his  lonesome  prison,  with  no 
other  society  than  the  old  apostate,  Luman,  and  liis  dear 
Phila,  while  we  get  sister  Phelps  out  of  the  trouble  she 
was  in  After  the  fate  of  the  prisoners  seemed  deter- 
mined, she  sank  down  exliausted  on  a  block  of  wood  ui 
the  open    aii-    amid    the  suiTOunding    darkness.      Here  she 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


289 


was  still  mocked  and  insulted  by  the  unfeeling  rabble 
till  a  certain  young  man,  more  feeling  than  the  others, 
declared  that  he  was  not  accustomed  to  see  a  female 
treated  thus  in  America,  and  that  if  she  had  no  home 
his  father  and  mother  would  receive  her  kindly  and  give 
her  protection  under  their  roof  till  she  could  return  to 
Illinois.  He  then  went  home,  and  in  a  few  minutes  re- 
turned with  his  mother,  by  whom  she  was  kindly  invited 
to  their  dAvelling.  On  arriving  there  she  was  treated  in 
the  kindest  manner  for  about  two  weeks,  during  which  time 
her  horse  was  kept  from  her  and  rode  in  search  of  the 
prisoners.  They  finaUy  restored  her  horse  and  sadtUe  to 
her,  and  she  rode  home  in  peace,  where  she  eventually 
met  her  husband,  and  rejoiced  that  she  had  been,  in 
some  measure,  the  means  of  his  deliverance. 

And  here  I  might  as  well  inform  the  anxious  reader  of 
the  final  liberation  of  the  two  remaining  prisoners.  Mr. 
Follett  remained  in  confinement  for  several  months,  and 
finally  was  dismissed  and  sent  home  to  Illinois,  where  he 
met  his  family,  who  had  been  expelled  from  the  State  of 
Missouri,  in  common  with  others,  during  his  confinement. 
And,  last  of  all,  the  old  apostate  came  out  by  fair  ac- 
quittal. And  should  any  of  our  readers  have  the  cmiosity 
to  see  the  charming  couple,  whose  singular  courtship  and 
history  run  through  and  make  a  principal  thread  of  our 
narrative,  they  will  call  at  the  little  town  of  Augusta,  a 
few  miles  from  Fort  Matlison,  Iowa  Territory,  and  inquire 
for  "  Luman  and  Phila,"  who  were  living  there  in  quiet 
at  the  last  accounts. 


CHAPTER     XXXI Y. 

Reminiscence  :— Resume  my  Wanderings  :— Lost  Again  :— Storm  -Conversa- 
tion-.—Suspicious  Characters  :— Lost  in  a  Swamp  :— Strange  River  :— Re- 
trace mjr  Steps  .-—Cross  the  River  :— WUd^Scenery  :— Strange  BedfeUow  : 
—Dawn  :— Reach  the  Mississippi :— Cross  the* River  in  a  Canoe  :— Land  on 
an  Island :— Entangled  in  the  Thickets  :—Reembark  :— Land  in  Illinois: 
^An   Old   Acquaintance  : — Arrive  at  Quincy. 


I 


SUPPOSE  by  tliis  time  tlie  reader  lias  either  forgotten 
tlie  circumstances  in  which  he  took  leave  of  myself,  or 
else  is  somewhat  weary  with  the  winding  of  the  narrative 
and  impatient  for  it  to  come  to  a  close.  The  only 
apology  I  have  to  offer  for  the  many  digressions  and 
wandermgs  through  which  he  has  been  led  is,  that  I  con- 
sider it  impohte  and  disrespectful  to  get  myself  out  of  a 
bad  place  until  I  have  first  seen  my  friends  all  safely 
out.  True,  I  did  not  strictly  observe  this  rule  of  good 
breeding  in  the  escape  itself;  therefore  it  becomes  me  to 
take  the  more  care  to  observe  it  now,  when  there  is  no 
danger,  excepting  that  of  being  deserted  by  some  of  my 
readers  before  I  am  safely  out.  However,  if  you  still 
wish  to  accompany  me  in  all  the  windings  of  my  weari- 
some and  dangerous  adventure  wo  will  now  turn  to  the 
happy  valley,  where  you  recollect  leaving  me  on  the 
morning  of  the  fifth  of  July  in  the  act  of  breakfasting 
on  a  small  biscuit,  while,  to  aU  appearances,  I  was  lost 
to  myself  and  to  all  mankind. 

After  resting  a  few  minutes  I  arose  and  travelled  on- 
ward, without  any  way  to  determine  the  course  I  was 
travelling.     After    some    miles,   I    came  to    a  house  in  the 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.     291 

woods,  aud  ventiired  to  iuquiie  of  the  woman  the  way  to 
Cohimbia,  and  what  course  it  lay  from  there.  By  this 
means  I  learned  that  I  was  foiu'teeu  miles  distant  from 
the  prison  in  a  northerly  direction.  I  then  took  a  coiu^se 
directly  opposite  to  her  du'ectious,  and  soon  found  myself 
among-  settlements,  and  in  a  kind  of  road,  but  a  ery  indi- 
rect and  winding  among  fields  and  woods,  or  in  the  lan- 
guage of  that  county,  among  "  clarens "  and  "  timber."  1 
X^aid  but  Uttle  respect  to  the  road,  but  rather  wandered 
around  among  the  forests,  and  made  my  course  as  well 
as  I  could  without  being  seen. 

At  last  the  clouds  thickened  and  it  began  to  rain.  In 
the  meantime  I  had  again  X'liuig'sd  into  the  dei)ths  of  an 
unknown  forest,  and  lost  all  idea  of  the  true  point  of  the 
comijass.  The  air  now  became  dense  with  thick  clouds 
and  mist,  and  the  rain  was  pouring  in  torrents.  At  first 
I  thought  that  rather  than  expose  myself  by  another  in- 
quiry, I  would  sit  down  at  the  bottom  of  a  large  oak 
and  wait  patiently  for  the  clouds  to  break  away,  so  that 
I  could  see  the  sun,  aud  thus  determine  my  course,  as  to 
travel  in  uncertainty  would  exhaust  my  strength  for  naught. 
I  accordingly  sat  down ;  but  after  waiting  for  a  length  of 
time,  I  found  there  was  no  prospect  of  seeing  the  sim, 
moon,  or  stars  for  some  days  to  come.  In  the  meantime 
I  was  becoming  wet  and  cold,  lame  and  stiff  jointed  from 
the  effects  of  my  exertions  the  night  previous.  I  was  also 
aware  that  hunger  would  soon  be  prejing  upon  me,  as  I 
already  felt  very  much  in  need  of  refreshment.  I,  there- 
fore, arose  and  wandered  on  till  I  saw  another  house  in 
the  distance.  I  there  ventured  another  inquiry,  by  which 
I  was  enabled  to  make  my  way  through  the  windings  of 
the  forest,  and  finally  to  enter  ui^on  a  vast  prairie  or  iin- 
timbered  plain  without  inhabitants.  Througli  this  plain 
there  was  a  direct  road  to  a  i>lace  called  Paris,  which 
was  now  some  twenty  miles  distant  and  directly  on  mj- 
way.      Here  I  could  travel    in   solitude,   and  have  no   difli- 


292       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  FARLEY  P.  PKATT. 

culty  iu  finding  my  ^vay  either  by  night  or  day;  and 
should  I  chance  to  meet  a  traveller  in  pursuit,  I  could 
see  him  for  some  miles  distant  in  the  day  time,  and  have 
time  to  leave  the  road  and  hide  myself  iu  the  grass  be- 
fore,  he  could   he  near  me. 

It  was  now  drawing  towards  evening,  and  the  rain  was 
still  i)ouring  in  torrents,  while  the  wind  blew  almost  to  a 
temi^est.  I  was  weaiy  and  exhausted  with  fatigue  and 
hunger,  and  chilled  and  benumbed  with  the  rain  aud  wind 
which  had  drenched  me  for  some  hours.  It  had  been  my 
intention  to  travel  through  the  night,  but  I  now  saw  it 
was  imiwssible.  I  would  be  obhged  to  rest  my  weary  limbs 
somewhere;  and  to  sit  or  lie  down  without  shelter  in  such 
a  tempest,  and  benumbed  as  I  then  was,  would  be  death; 
or  at  least  it  would  be  what  I  could  not  endiu'e;  and 
to  lodge  at  any  house  would  expose  me  to  be  discovered 
and  taken  l»y  my  pursuers.  As  night  approached  I  hesi- 
tated for  some  time  whether  to  continue  to  brave  the 
tempest  and  to  pass  the  night  in  the  rain,  or  to  riui  the 
risk  of  being  taken  by  turning  off  the  road  and  going  a 
mile  or  two  through  the  wet  grass  to  a  settlement  which 
was  in  sight,  in  the  borders  of  the  wilderness,  on  the 
left  of  my  road.  At  last  I  was  compelled  by  the  severity 
of  the  storm  to  choose  the  latter.  I  accordingly  made 
for  a  house;  but  how  was  I  to  accoimt  for  being  a  trav- 
eller, and  on  foot — as  nearly  all  men  in  that  country 
travel  on  horseback?  However,  my  mgenuity  soon  prepared 
me  a  way  to  account  for  this  suspicious  circumstance. 

As  I  drew  near  the  house  the  o^-ner  stood  in  the 
door  looking  out  upon  the  tempest  and  watching  my  ap- 
proach—it being  rather  strange  to  see  a  person  from  the 
open  plain  amid  such  a  tempest.  As  I  drew  near,  all 
wet  and  dripping,  I  cried  out  very  sociably,  saying :  "  Sir, 
can  you  entertain  a  disowning  man  here  this  terrible 
night  r  The  answer  was,  "I  reckon  we  mout ;  come  in, 
stranger,   jou  seem  in  a  mighty  bad  fix."    I  hobbled  in  as 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      293 

well  as  I  coiild,  being  very  lame  with  walking,  as  well  as 
benumbed  with  the  storm;  and  without  giving  time  for 
any  more  inquiry,  I  began  to  complain  of  the  fatigue  of 
walking,  and  how  it  had  lamed  me;  at  the  same  time 
observing  that  my  horse  had  played  a  very  bad  trick  with 
me;  he  had  got  away  from  me  and  strayed  into  the 
timber,  where  I  could  not  find  him.  ''  Ah,"  said  he,  "  how 
did  you  happen  to  lose  him?"  "Why,"  said  I,  "I  am 
from  Indiana,  and  have  been  out  in  your  wild  woods 
back  here  looking  for  land.  I  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
letting  my  horse  bait  a  Uttle  occasionally,  as  he  never 
seemed  inclined  to  leave  till,  last  evening,  he  of  a  sud- 
den wandered  out  of  my  sight  in  the  woods,  and  dark 
coming  on,  I  could  not  track  him,  and  finally  lost  him; 
and,  what  is  worse,  he  carried  off  my  clothing  and  aU  the 
fixings  I  had  with  me,  even  to  my  shooting  irons  and 
ammunition.  I  shall  now  have  to  go  clear  to  Paris  on 
foot,  and  then  remain  there  a  few  days  till  I  can  adver- 
tise him   and  obtain  him  again." 

"Oh!"  exclaimed  he,  "it's  a  pity  you  should  have  such 
a  heap  of  trouble.  Where  did  you  stay  last  night  f  I 
replied  "  the  devil  himself  could  hardly  answer  that ;  for 
in  hunting  my  horse  I  got  benighted,  and  lost  myself  in- 
stead of  finding  him;  however,  I  made  my  way  out  to 
the  first  cottage  I  could  find,  and  took  up  with  very 
curious  fare,  I  assure  you."  "  What  part  of  Indiana  are 
you  from  ?"  continued  he.  "  From  near  Terre  Haute,"  replied 
I.  "What  is  the  price  of  land  in  that  country  now?"  he 
inquired.  I  replied  that  it  had  risen  very  much  since  the 
completion  of  the  great  national  road;  "indeed,"  said  I,  "as 
a  specimen  of  the  rise  of  property,  I  could  now  take 
twenty-five  dollars  per  acre  for  my  little  place  in  the 
backwoods,  which  a  few  years  ago  only  cost  me  three 
dollars  and  seventy-five  cents,  so  I  thought  I  would  just 
mount  my  nag  and  ride  west  here,  and  take  a  look  in 
Illinois  and  Missouri,  and  if   I  could  suit    myself   I  would 


294      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PRATT. 

go  home  and  sell  out,  and  coine  out  liere  and  purchase." 
"  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  reckon  you  must  do  a  heap  better  here 
than  there,  as  we've  a  smart  chance  of  land  here  that's 
very  cheap,  besides,"  continued  he,  "we  can  make  corn  here 
so  easy;  and  then,  agin,  there's  a  power  of  range  for 
cattle  and  horses."  In  this  kind  of  conversation  the  even- 
ing passed  off  very  sociably.  After  eating  a  hearty  sup- 
per I  retired  to  bed. 

In  the  morning  I  awoke  much  refreshed,  and  found  the 
storm  had  subsided,  and  the  sun  shining  in  his  strength. 
I  tarried  to  breakfast,  which  consisted  of  a  good  cuj)  of 
coffee  and  a  fowl,  with  some  corn  bread  or  "dodger." 
After  breakfast  I  vented  my  spite  once  more,  with  angry 
and  impatient  words  about  my  poor  horse;  grumbled 
sorely  at  being  so  lame,  and  regretted  very  much  at  hav- 
ing to  go  on  foot  all  the  way  to  Paris ;  "  and,"  said  I,  "  I 
get  so  hungry  and  faint  in  walking  over  these  lonesome 
plains,  where  the  houses  are  a  dozen  miles  apart,  I  be- 
Ueve,  with  your  leave,  I'll  just  pocket  the  remainder  of 
the  dodger  and  chicken.  "  O,  yes,"  said  the  good  woman, 
"take  it  and  welcome.  You  mout  want  it,  and  then  agin  you 
mout  not;  and  although  its  coarse  fare,  yet  we've  seen  a 
heap  o'  times  in  this  new  country  that  we  couldn't  get 
as  good."  I  thanked  her,"  and  then  settled  my  biU  with 
her  husband,  and  making  her  a  present  of  a  quarter  of 
a  dollar,  I  took  leave,  and  soon  found  my  way  back  to 
the  road  I  had  left  the  evening  before.  On  arriving  at 
the  road  I  found  a  fresh  horse  track  had  been  made 
since  the  rain,  and  immediately  concluded  one  of  my  pur- 
suers had  passed  in  pursuit,  which  I  afterwards  learned 
to  be  the  fact. 

I  would  here  remark  that  some  persons  wiU  perhaps  be 
disposed  to  censure  me  for  saying  that  which  was  not 
strictly  true  in  all  its  points,  in  order  to  avoid  discovery, 
and  make  good  my  escape.  But  I  can  say,  from  the  bot- 
tom of  my  heart,  that  I  feel  perfectly  justified  in  so  doing, 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PKATT.      295 

not  only  because  it  accomplished  a  good  object,  and  seemed 
according  to  wisdom,   but  we    liave  numerous  instances  in 
Scripture    where    God's    prophets    and    people    acted    in    a 
similar    way  for    a    similar    end.     For    instance,    the    New 
Testament  justiiies    Eahab,    and    even    commends   her,  and 
includes  her    in    the    sum  of   the  faithful,  because  she  hid 
the  spies  under    the  flax    and  deceived    their    piu-suers  by 
stating  that  they  had    left    the  city  and  fled  to  the  moun- 
tains}   and    thus    she    became    an    accomplice,  or    an  aider 
and    abettor  of   the   people    and    purposes  of   God.    David 
also,    who    was    the    Lord's    anointed,    and     a    man    after 
his   own    heart,    dissembled    a    number    of    times    to    save 
his    life.     At    one    time    he    deceived    the    national    priest, 
and  thus  obtained  both   bread  and  armor,    under   pretence 
of    being    on    the    king's   errand,    while   he  was  in  fact   an 
outlaw,  then   in  the   act    of   fleeing  for    his  life  from    that 
same    Saul.      And    Jesus    himself    mentions    this    to    the 
Jews,   and  justifies    it.      At  another    time  he  feigned  him- 
self   insane,    by    figuring    on    the    wall     and    letting    his 
spittle  drizzle  down  on  his  beard,  in    order  to  escape  the 
Philistine   judges.       Oh,  yes,    says    one,    but    he    was  the 
Lord's   anointed,  and,  therefore,  had  a  right  to  save  his  life 
at  aU  hazards  to  fulfil  God's    purposes.      To   this   I  reply, 
that  I  am  also  God's  anointed,   and  have  a  greater  reason 
for  living  and  a  more  worthy  object  to  accomplish  than  he 
had.     That   may    be,    says   the  objector,    but  who   believes 
it  ?     I  answei^   one  hundred  people  believe  me  in  the  days 
of    my    trouble    and   humihty    where    one   believed    David. 
And  weU  they  may ;   for  I  have  a  gTcater  work  to  accom- 
plish than  he  ever  had.      But    the   world    may  blame  un- 
justly.     I   care    not    a    straw  for  their  judgment.      I  have 
one    only    that    I    serve,    and    him    only    do   I    fear.       The 
hjTiocrite    who    censures    me    may    yet    be    placed    under 
similar  circumstances,    and    then  judge    ye    how    he   would 

act. 
But,   to  drop  the    argument    and   resume  the  history  5    I 


296     AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

novr  i)iirsiie<l  my  way  until  I  entered  upon  a  public  road 
called  the  Louisiana  road,  as  it  was  connected  with  a  ferry 
on  the  Mississii^pi  at  a  place  called  by  that  name.  I  had 
travelled  that  road  before,  and  I  was  not  a  little  rejoiced 
to  find  myself  on  ground  I  was  so  well  acquainted  with 
that  I  could  travel  l)^'  night  without  any  danger  of  miss- 
ing my  way.  I  was  now  in  a  part  of  the  State  which 
was  comparatively  thickly  inhabited,  and,  therefore,  consid- 
ered it  unsafe  to  proceed  in  the  daytime,  as  the  news  of 
our  escape  must  by  this  time  have  spread  far  and  wide. 
I,  therefore,  spent  the  day  either  in  concealment  among  the 
thickets,  or  in  slowly  progressing  on  my  journey  with  much 
caution  and  many  deviations  from  the  road,  in  order  to 
shun  i)lantations  and  houses  ;  but  at  night  I  pursued  my 
way  with  all  the  strenglh  I  had. 

On  the  third  or  foiu-th  day  after  my  escape  from  prison 
I  found  myself  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  settlement  where 
I  had  formed  some  acquaintances  years  before,  and  where 
once  lived  a  small  branch  of  the  Church,  but  they  had  all 
moved  west,  and,  as  I  supposed,  were  driven  out  of  the 
State  with  the  others.  But  I  recollected  a  family  by  the 
name  of  Ivj,  who  woidd  still  be  living  on  the  road,  and 
who  had  been  members,  but  were  now  dissenters.  I  was 
now  very  hungry  and  wanted  a  friend,  but  was  in  doubt 
whether  they  would  befriend  or  betray  me,  as  they  had 
once  been  my  friends,  and  not  only  so,  but  their  near  kin- 
died  had  suffered  in  the  general  i)ersecution,  and  had 
shared  the  common  banishment.  I  hesitated,  prayed,  and 
at  length  came  to.  the  conclusion  that  I  woidd  venture  past 
their  door  in  ojien  day,  and  if  no  one  discovered  or  recog- 
nized me  I  would  take  it  as  a  Providence,  and  conclude  it 
was  wisdom  in  God,  as  I  would  not  be  safe  with  them ; 
but  if,  on  the  other  hand,  I  was  saluted  by  them,  then  I 
would  think  it  a  sign  which  Providence  had  given  me  as 
a  witness  that  I  could  trust  to  them.  I  accordingly 
walked  past  their  dwelling  on  Sunday  evening,  about  two 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      297 

hours  before  sundowu.  As  1  got  nearly  past,  the  Uttle 
children  who  were  playing  in  the  front  door  yard  dis- 
covered me  and  cried  out  with  surprise  and  joj,  "there  is 
brother  Pratt  !"  At  this  a  young  man  came  running  out 
to  me,  who  proved  to  be  one  of  my  acquaintances,  who  was 
still  a  member  of  the  Church,  and  who  had  been  driven 
from  the  upper  country  ;  but,  instead  of  going  to  Illinois 
with  the  rest,  he  had  come  back  and  settled  in  his  old 
neighborhood.  I  asked  him  where  Mr.  Ivy,  the  man  of 
the  house,  was.  He  replied  that  he  and  his  wife  had  gone 
to  a  neighbor's,  two  or  three  miles  distant,  on  a  visit ; 
"  and,"  continued  he,  "  I  also  am  here  on  a  visit  at  the  same 
time,  and  by  this  means  I  have  very  unexpectedly  met  with 
you  ;  and  I  am  very  glad,  for  the  news  has  just  reached 
here  that  the  prisoners  had  escaped,  and  that  they  burst 
a  cap  at  one,  and  took  another  and  carried  him  back  to 
prison.  The  other  two  have  not  been  found."  This  was 
the  first  news  I  had  heard  either  of  myself  or  the  others. 
I  then  requested  him  to  go  and  charge  the  children 
strictly  not  to  jnention  that  they  had  seen  me,  and  then 
come  with  me  into  the  woods. 

He  did  so.  I  then  told  him  I  was  very  hungTy,  faint 
and  weary  ;  and  not  only  so,  but  so  lame  I  could  hardly 
move  ;  besides,  my  feet  were  blistered,  skinned  and  bloody. 
He  said  that  his  brother,  who  was  also  a  member,  and  had 
been  driven  with  him  from  the  upper  country,  lived  in  an 
obscure  jjlace  in  the  woods,  some  two  miles  distant,  and 
that  his  brother's  wife  and  children  were  as  true  and 
genuine  Mormons  as  ever  lived.  He  then:  took  me  on  his 
horse  and  conducted  me  through  a  pathless  wild  for  two 
miles,  and,  coming  in  sight  of  his  brother's  house,  I  dis- 
mounted and  hid  myself  in  a  deep  valley,  whose  sides  were 
nearly  perpendicular  and  formed  of  craggy  rock,  while  he 
went  to  reconnoitre  the  house,  and  to  get  something  ready 
for  me  to  eat.  He  soon  retiu-ned,  informing  me  that  his 
brother  was  out,   and  would   not   be  in  till  dark ;   but  the 


298      AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PAELET  P.  PRATT. 

family  wished  very  much  that  I  would  come  in,  as  the 
chndreu  woidd  hold  their  tongues,  and  it  was  thought  to 
be  perfectly  safe.  I  declined,  however,  for  the  present,  and 
he  brought  me  out  some  bread,  milk  and  cream,  on  which 
I  refreshed  myself  tiU  they  prepared  a  more  substantial 
supper. 

As  evening  came  on,  being  pressed  to  come  in,  I 
finally  consented.  On  entering,  I  was  received  with  joy 
by  the  family,  and  sat  down  to  supper.  One  of  their 
neighbors,  a  young  man,  soon  came  in  and  seemed  deter- 
mined to  tarry  till  the  arrival  of  the  man  of  the  house, 
as  he  had  some  enand  with  him.  This  embarrassed  me 
very  much,  for  I  was  fearful  that  he  would  arrive  and 
salute  me  as  an  old  acquamtance,  and  call  my  name  in 
the  presence  of  the  young  man.  But  the  Uttle  chHdi-en 
(bless  their  souls)  took  good  care  for  that  matter,  they 
watched  very  naiTOwly  for  the  anival  of  their  papa,  and 
when  they  saw  him  they  whispered  to  him  that  brother  P. 
was  there,  and,  being  just  out  of  prison,  he  must  not  know 

him  till  Mr.  had   gone. 

The  man  came  in,  and  I  looked  up  with  a  vacant  stare, 
or  rather  with  a  strange  and  distant  ah,  and  inquii'ed  if 
he  was  the  man  of  the  house  ?  He  nodded  cooUy  in  the 
afarmative.  I  then  inquired  of  him  if  he  had  seen  any 
stray  "nags"  in  his  neighborhood!  I  then  went  on 
to  describe  my  horse  which  had  strayed  from  me,  and 
observed  that  I  was  out  in  search  of  him,  and,  being 
weary  and  hungry,  I  had  stopped  to  get  some  refreshment 
with  him.  He  said  I  was  welcome  to  his  house,  and  to 
such  fare  as  he  had ;  but  he  had  not  seen  any  nags,  except 
what  was  owned  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  young  man  soon  did  his  errand  and  withdrew.  We 
then  shook  each  other  by  the  hand  most  heartily,  and,  with 
a  burst  of  joy  and  smiles,  inquired  after  each  other's  wel- 
fare. I  told  him  I  was  well  nigh  exhausted  and  worn 
out,  and,  withal,  very  lame,  but  stiU  I  had  some  hopes  of 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      299 

making  my  escape  out  of  the  State,  and  of  living-  to  see 
my  friends  once  more  in  a  land  of  liberty.  I  then  begged 
of  him  to  exchange  with  me,  and  take  my  fur  caj)  and 
give  me  a  hat  in  its  stead,  which  he  did,  and  then  sad- 
dled his  horse  with  a  side  saddle,  as  the  young  man  who 
was  in  had  just  borrowed  the  other  saddle,  and,  placing 
me  on  horseback,  he  ran  before  me  and  by  my  side  on 
foot,  to  take  me  on  my  joiu'ney.  In  this  way  we  travelled 
till  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  when  I  dismounted,  and  he  bid 
me  farewell,  in  order  to  reach  his  home  again  before  the 
neighbors   would  arise  and  find  him  missing. 

He  had  given  me  directions  which  would  lead  to  the 
Mississippi  River  much  nearer  than  the  Louisiana  ferry, 
and  also  more  in  the  direct  course  towards  my  family,  who 
resided  at  Quincy,  and,  besides  all  these  advantages,  the 
route  was  more  obscure,  and,  therefore,  safer  for  me.  I  now 
pursued  my  course  the  remainder  of  the  night  with 
renewed  courage  and  strength,  although  so  very  lame,  foot 
sore,  and  so  much  exhausted  that,  in  lying  down  to  refresh 
myself,  I  could  not  again  rise  and  put  myself  in  motion 
short  of  extraordinary  and  repeated  exertion,  sometimes 
having  to  crawl  on  my  hands  and  knees  till  I  could  get 
sufficiently  limbered  to  arise  and  walk,  and  frequently 
staggering  and  falling  in  the  attempt. 

At  length  the  day  began  to  dawn,  and  I  must  soon  be 
under  the  necessity  of  hiding  in  the  thickets,  or  making- 
deviations  from  the  road,  in  order  to  avoid  discovery  in 
passing  the  settlements.  I,  therefore,  wished  to  push  my 
way  with  all  speed  while  it  was  yet  too  early  for  j)eople 
to  be  stirring  ;  but  sleep  now  completely  overpowered  me. 
As  I  was  walking  along  the  road  I  could  scarcely  open 
my  eyes  for  a  moment  to  look  my  way  for  a  few  rods 
ahead,  and  they  would  then  close  in  sleej)  in  spite  of  all 
my  powers.  I  would  then  i^roceed  a  few  paces  in  my 
sleep  till  I  stumbled,  or  till  I  had  need  to  take  another 
look  at  the  road  before  me  ;   then  I  would  oiJen  my  eyes 


300      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  take  oue  glance,  and  the  lids  would  fall  again  as 
powerless  as  if  I  had  no  life.  In  this  way  I  walked  on, 
alternately  sleeping  and  waking,  till,  I  presume,  I  had 
more  than  fifty  naps  without  ceasing  to  walk ;  and  each 
time  I  opened  my  eyes  and  came  to  my  senses  I  firmly 
resolved  to  keep  them  open  and  run  no  further  risk  ;  but 
while  this  resolution  was  still  passing  in  my  mind  sleep 
would  again  steal  over  me,  not  exactly  unawares,  for  I 
realized  it  each  time,  but  had  no  power  to  prevent  it. 

At  length  the  twilight  gave  place  to  the  full  blaze  of 
the  morning  ;  the  sons  of  the  earth  were  again  in  motion  ; 
I  therefore  retired,  like  the  owl,  to  the  thicket,  and  took  a 
morning  rest.  When  I  awoke  the  sun  was  high  in  the 
heavens,  and,  feeling  somewhat  refreshed,  I  arose  from 
the  ground  and  wandered  slow  and  solitary  amid  the 
wilds  of  oak,  interspersed  with  hazel  and  underwood — 
sometimes  stopping  to  i)ick  and  eat  a  few  unripe  black- 
berries, and  sometimes  resting  beneath  the  shade  of  a 
spreading  tree. 

I  had  now  great  hopes  of  having  to  pass  but  one  more 
night  in  the  land  of  enemies,  as  I  could  easily  reach  a 
small  town  in  the  course  of  the  day,  which  was  then  only 
two  or  three  miles  distant ;  and  then,  if  I  could  by  any 
means  get  on  to  the  right  track  before  night,  1  would  only 
have  about  eight  or  t^n  miles'  travel  for  the  whole  night, 
which  would  bring  me  to  a  small  town  on  the  Mississippi. 
I  wandered  on  amid  the  wilds,  but  at  length  about  half 
a  mile  of  open  plain  or  prairie  intervened  between  me 
and  the  town.  To  pass  this  in  a  public  road,  in  open 
day,  would  be  running  a  great  venture,  and  to  wait  for 
the  cover  of  darkness  would  perhaps  keep  me  wandering 
another  night,  for  the  want  of  being  started  in  the  right 
road  from  the  town  before  me  to  the  landing  on  the 
river.  I,  therefore,  concluded  to  venture  across  the  plain, 
along  the  pubUc  highway,  in  the  day  time,  and  should  I 
be  discovered    I   would    sell    my  life  as    dear    as    possible 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY   P.  PRATT.      301 

sooner  than  be  taken  back  to  prison.  I,  therefore,  walked 
boldly  on.  I  had  proceeded  about  to  the  middle  of  the 
plain,  when,  on  a  sudden  turn  of  the  road,  two  men  ap- 
peared on  horseback,  each  with  a  rifle  on  his  shoulder. 
They  were  then  too  near  for  me  to  retreat,  or  to  make 
any  other  shift  than  to  meet  them.  As  soon  as  they  dis- 
covered me  they  both  halted  as  if  surprised,  and  one  said 
to  the  other,  "  there  he  is  now."  They  then  rode  on 
towards  me,  and  I  expected  every  moment  that  they 
would  hail  and  attempt  to  stop  me.  In  such  a  case  I 
felt  determined  to  seize  one  of  their  rifles,  and  overpower 
or  frighten  them,  or  die  in  the  struggle. 

I  at  length  passed  between  them  in  the  middle  of  the 
road,  and  looked  as  calm  and  unconcerned  as  if  I  hardly 
knew  they  were  there.  Either  from  this  circumstance  or 
some  other,  unaccountable  to  me,  they  never  spoke  to  me 
at  all,  but  rode  on,  and  I  saw  them  no  more.  I  soon 
passed  the  plain,  and  made  my  way  into  a  small  thicket 
of  trees  which  lay  adjoining  the  little  town.  I  then  crept 
up  near  the  court  house,  which  occupied  a  pubhc  square 
in  the  centre,  and  endeavored,  without  bemg  discovered 
or  noticed  by  any  person,  to  ascertain  as  well  as  I  could, 
by  my  own  judgment,  which  of  all  the  roads  would  seem 
to  lead  off  towards  the  river.  After  reconnoitering  the 
town  and  the  various  bearings  of  the  roads,  I  retreated 
back  into  the  wilderness,  with  the  satisfaction  that  I  had 
not  yet  been  discovered  by  the  citizens  ;  I  had  also  the 
satisfaction  of  seeing  the  highlands  and  the  hilly,  broken 
country  which  e^ddently  bordered  on  the  Mississippi.  The 
river,  therefore,  could  be  but  a  few  miles  distant,  and  as 
it  was  yet  several  hours  to  sundown  I  concluded  that  I 
could  take  my  course,  and,  without  any  particular  regard 
to  roads,  reach  some  spot  on  the  river  that  evening,  as 
nothing  was  to  be  so  much  dreaded  as  a  public  ferry 
— for  there  I  knew  my  enemies  woidd    set  their    traps. 

I  immediately .  took  my  course,   and    after  wandering  for 


302      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT. 

an  hour  or  two,  with  great  fatigue,  among  thickets  of 
brush,  briars  and  vines  almost  impassable,  I  at  length 
descended  a  steep  decline  of  perhaps  two  hundred  feet, 
and  then  came  down  to  what  is  called  in  that  coun- 
try the  "river  bottom,"  covered  with  the  growth  of 
thick  forest,  and  appearing  in  some  places  somewhat 
swampy  and  gloomy;  but  still  I  pushed  on  \vith  all 
speed,  supposing  I  was  not  many  miles  from  the  river 
Mississippi.  After  travelling  for  some  distance  in  this  dis- 
agreeable and  swampy  wild,  what  was  my  surprise  and 
disappointment,  when  on  a  sudden  I  came  to  a  dark,  deep, 
and  muddy  looking  river,  some  forty  rods  wide,  and  roll- 
ing with  a  swift  and  turbulent  current.  This  surely  could 
not  be  the  Mississippi  5  and  yet  it  was  something  that 
intervened  between  me  and  that  great  river,  and  seemed  to 
present  an  impassable  barrier.  I  then  heaved  a  deep  sigh, 
and,  feeling  exhausted  and  almost  discouraged,  1  exclaimed 
to  myself  half  aloud,  how  long  shall  I  wander  and  find 
no  rest  ?  it  does  seem  as  though  an  enchanted  ground  lay 
between  me  and  liberty.  I  turned  round,  and  with  the 
Uttle  strength  that  then  remained  I  made  my  way  back 
to  the  town.  When  I  arrived  again  in  sight  of  the  town 
the  sun  was  setting,  and  another  wearisome  night  was 
approaching,  in  which  1  must  reach  the  river,  or  I  would 
probably  be  exhausted  with  hunger  and  fatigue,  so  as  to 
be  entirely  disabled. 

I  now  resolved  to  venture  boldly  into  a  pubUc  highway, 
and  to  ascertain  the  right  road  before  it  would  be  too  dark 
to  find  my  way  or  choose  my  course.  There  would  not 
only  be  danger  of  exposure  by  inquiring,  but  although  I 
knew  there  was  a  little  town  on  the  Mississippi,  near  the 
place  I  was  then  m,  yet  I  had  never  heard  the  name  of 
it ;  and  to  appear  like  a  stranger  who  did  not  know  the 
country,  and  yet  be  on  foot  and  without  a  parcel  or 
valise,  or  anything  which  travellers  are  accustomed  to 
carry,  and  withal  a  beard  near  a  week  old,  together    with 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      303 

sweat  and  dirt  over  my  clothes  from  lying  and  tumbling 
on  the  gioimd,  would  altogether  make  me  seem  like  a 
very  suspicions  character ;  but  yet  I  must  venture  an  in- 
quiry, which  I  determined  to  do  the  first  providential  op- 
portimity  which  occurred.  I  walked  along  the  edge  of  the 
town  and  struck  into  a  i)ublic  highway  which  seemed  to 
lead  the  right  course.  I  had  not  travelled  far  when  I 
came  to  a  branch  of  the  same  river  which  I  had  en- 
countered in  the  swampy  bottom.  On  one  side  of  the 
road  a  mill  was  situatetl  on  its  bank,  and  on  the  other 
side  a  dwelling  house.  Several  persons  were  about  the 
mill,   and  it  was  not  yet  dark. 

I  was  now  determined  to  pass  by  boldly,  and  if  any 
one  passed  near  me  to  speak  to  them  and  inquire  the 
way,  and  then  pass  on  so  quick  that  they  would  have 
no  time  to  have  suspicion  or  to  question  me.  Just  as  I 
was  passing  between  the  house  and  the  mill,  I  said, 
"  Good  evening,  sir.  How  do  you  cross  this  river !"  He 
replied,  "  that  the  teams  and  horsemen  ford  it,  but  a 
footman  may  chance  to  cross  it  on  the  mill  dam,  yon- 
der." Said  I,  "  is  this  the  right  road  to — to — what  the 
plague  is  it  you  call  that  little  town  yonder — your  near- 
est landing  on  the  river — what  is  its  name  ;  1  can  seldom 
think  of  it  ?"  "  Oh,  Saverton— Saverton,"  replied  he.  "  Oh, 
yes ;  Saverton,"  I  repeated.  "  Yes,"  said  he,  "  this  is  the 
direct  road  to  it."  I  replied,  "  Thank  you,  sir.  How  far 
is  it  ?"  "  Nine  miles,  said  he.  By  this  time  I  was  some 
distance  past  him,  and  in  another  moment  I  was  balanc- 
ing my  clumsy  and  worn  out  body  on  the  edge  of  the 
dam,  while  the  waters  were  roaring  and  foaming  beneath 
me. 

I  got  safely  over,  and  now  pursued  my  way  with  in- 
creasing hope  and  certainty.  However,  I  had  not  gone  to 
exceed  half  a  mile  before  I  came  to  another  fork  of  the 
river,  larger  and  swifter  than  the  one  I  had  just  crossed, 
and,  withal,  neither  dam  nor  bridge.    I  soon  forded  boldly 


304      AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT. 

into  it,  determined  either  to  sink,  swim,  or  ford  it.  It 
proved  to  be  about  a  yard  deep,  witli  a  strong  current, 
and  several  yards  wide  ;  but  I  forded  it  in  safety,  and  still 
pursued  my  way.  After  wandering  for  a  mile  or  two 
along  the  bottom  lands,  I  ascended  a  high  bluff  of  several 
huudied  feet,  and  thus  entered  upon  the  high,  rocky  and 
imsettled  wilds  which  intervened  between  the  bed  of  the 
river  and  the  great  Mississippi. 

It  was  now  dark,  and  I  was  fairly  under  way  for  my 
night's  journey,  which  at  most  could  not  exceed  seven  or 
eight  miles,  and  feeling  extremely  exhausted  and  also  at 
leisure,  I  stepped  aside  from  the  road  and  laid  me  down 
at  the  foot  of  a  tree,  with  a  block  of  wood  for  a  pLUow, 
where  I  intended  to  sleep  for  an  hour  or  two.  It  was  a 
wild  scene  in  which  to  slumber ;  no  human  abode  was 
near,  no  voice  or  sound  stole  upon  the  stillness  of  the 
evening.  The  stars  shone  forth  in  unwonted  splendor  in 
the  heavens,  while  wild  and  grassy  hiUs,  and  rocky  steeps 
pierced  ^^ith  deep  vales  and  chasms,  extended  far  and 
wide  on  all  sides,  as  if  reposing  in  eternal  and  undis- 
turbed quiet  and  loneliness.  Ah  !  thought  I,  as  I  lay  in 
silent  meditation  and  contemplated  the  scene,  here  is 
peace,  here  is  rest,  here  is  a  solitude  of  grand  and  sacred 
repose,  scarcely  poUuted  by  the  bloodthirsty  dwellers  upon 
the  degraded  earth.  And  were  it  not  for  the  ties  of  wife, 
children,  and  duties  which  bind  me  to  society,  how 
gladly  would  I  seek  a  lone  cavern  or  some  unknown  re- 
treat amid  these  romantic  wilds,  and  never  more  feel  the 
iUs  and  suffer  the  evils  which  now  distract  and  disturb 
the  peace  of  a  poor,  miserable  world.  As  I  had  finished 
these  meditations  and  was  about  to  fall  asleep  I  turned 
on  to  my  side  and  made  a  slight  movement  in  adjusting 
my  wooden  pillow,  when  I  heard  the  weU  known  rattle  of 
a  rattle  snake  (eez,  eez,  eez,)  close  by  my  side,  as  if 
disturbed  in  his  repose,  or  as  if  I  had  more  than  my  por- 
tion of  the  bed.    I  then   recollected  the  old   iJroverb,  that 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      305 

"  travelling  makes  strange  bedfellows,"  and  also  the  Scrip- 
ture which  says,  "  If  two  lie  together  there  is  heat,  but 
how  can  one  be  warm  alone?"  Said  I,  "  old  friend,  I'll 
not  argue  with  you  as  my  first  mother  did  with  your 
venerable  ancestor,  and  rather  than  quarrel  or  keep  you 
awake,  we  will  ijart."  With  this,  I  arose  and  very  conde- 
scendingly sought  out  another  bed,  where  I  was  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  remain  in  undisturbed  possession  till  the  chill 
of  the  night  air  admonished  me  to  be  again  on  tlie  move. 

I  then  arose,  and,  after  much  exertion,  became  at  length 
able  to  use  my  limbs,  and  thus  continued  my  journey. 
Early  dawn  found  me  standing  on  a  height  which  over- 
looks the  little  village  of  Saverton  and  the  broad  river, 
which  was  the  only  barrier  between  me  and  safety  from 
my  enemies.  As  the  rays  of  the  morning  began  to  ex- 
pand with  increasing  light,  the  dark  outbues  of  the  wooded 
bottoms  of  Illinois  were  distinctly  visible.  I  had  now 
seen  with  my  eyes  the  land  of  peace,  and  a  land  which 
contained  family,  friends,  and  all  that  was  dear  to  me; 
but  oh,  if  I  should  be  intercepted  at  the  ferry,  and  thus 
lose  at  once  my  labor  and  my  hope !  I  now  knelt  down 
and  prayed  fervently  to  God  for  deliverance,  and  thanked 
Him  for  the  past,  and  for  His  mercy  and  providence  which 
had  preserved  me  thus  far. 

I  then  descended  from  the  height  and  entered  the  town, 
the  people  yet  being  wrapt  in  repose.  I  examined  the 
shore  and  soon  convinced  myself  that  no  public  ferry  was 
kept  there.  I  was  extremely  glad  to  learn  this  fact — be- 
ing fully  aware  that  by  this  time  all  the  ferries  would  be 
watched.  I  next  tried  to  find  some  road  or  path  up  the 
river  bank,  so  as  to  pass  along  and  obtain  the  use  of 
some  chance  canoe,  but  this  was  impossible.  Huge  rocks 
and  mountainous  steeps,  with  alternate  ditches  or  patches 
of  mire,  rendered  it  impossible,  even  for  a  footman,  to  pass 
uj)  the  bank  of  the  river.  I  then  made  my  way  down 
along    the    sandy    beach    which    lay   before  the  town,   and 

20 


306      AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PABLEY  P.  PRATT. 

just  as  the  people  were  begmning  to  stir,  I  left  the  town 
and  continued  down  along  the  river  for  some  five  miles, 
sometimes  climbing  steep  and  rocky  spires  of  tlie  bluffs, 
and  sometimes  wading  tlirough  mire  and  marsh. 

At  length  I  came  to  a  dwelling  on  the  banks  of  the 
river,  and  saw  several  canoes  lying  in  the  water  before  it. 
I  entered  the  house  and  inquii^ed  of  the  lady  whether  I 
could  get  a  passage  over  the  river  in  a  canoe.  She  re- 
plied that  her  husband  sometimes  set  people  across,  but 
owing  to  the  swift  current,  and  a  large  island  several  miles 
in  length,  which  lay  in  the  middle  of  the  river,  it  was  a 
tedious  job,  for  which  he  never  charged  less  than  a  dol- 
lar ;  luit,  however,  he  was  very  busy  in  the  harvest  field, 
about  a  mile  distant,  and  owing  to  the  hurry  of  the  har- 
vest, she  did  not  think  he  could  be  prevailed  on  to  do 
it  at  any  price.  I  was  now  ready  to  faint  from  extreme 
heat,  and  exertion,  and  hunger,  and  to  walk  another  mile 
and  back  upon  an  uncertainty  was  altogether  out  of  the 
question,  to  say  nothing  of  the  danger  of  the  exposure  U^ 
which  it  would  subject  me. 

I  cast  my  eyes  towards  the  canoes  and  they  looked  very 
tempting,  and  I  know  not  but  I  might  have  been  tempt- 
ed to  charter  one  without  the  leave  of  the  owner,  but 
just  then  I  saw  a  boy  of  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age 
playing  about  the  water.  I  asked  him  if  he  was 
accustomed  to  paddling  a  canoe.  He  rephed,  yes.  I 
I  then  offered  him  a  good  price  if  he  would  set  me 
across  the  river.  He  refused  to  do  this,  saying  that 
his  parents  would  whip  him  for  so  doing.  "But," 
said  he,  "I  will  set  you  over  on  to  yon  big  island, 
which  is  one  mile  from  here  ;  you  can  then  walk 
a  mile  or  two  through  the  woods  and  come  to  the  oppo- 
site shore  of  it,  and  then  shout  and  make  signs  to  the 
people  on  the  lUinois  shore,  who  will  come  across  their 
half  of  the  river  and  take  you  from  the  island."  He  ob- 
served that  people  had  often  crossed  over  in  this  way.     I 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PKATT.  307 

hardly  believed  hiui,  but  still  I  thought  an  uninhabited 
island  was  preferable  to  staying  another  minute  in  Missouri. 

The  boy  soon  set  me  over  and  left  me  on  the  shore  ot 
the  island,  pointing  out  my  course  as  well  as  he  could.  I 
paid  him  well,  and  then  commenced  my  overland  journey, 
among  nettles,  flies,  mosquitoes  and  heat.  I  was  soon  en- 
tangled in  thickets  of  hazel,  thorn  and  grape  vines,  which 
made  my  progress  very  slow,  as  well  as  extremely  laborious 
and  difficult.  These,  however,  were  soon  intersected  with 
sloughs  of  mire  and  water,  which  could  only  be  crossed 
with  the  utmost  difficulty,  by  picking  my  way  on  old  logs 
and  wood,  and  sometimes  wading  in  mire  and  water.  After 
crossing  several  of  these  I  at  length  came  to  one  much 
larger,  which  I  judged  was  navigable  for  a  steamboat,  and 
I  now  found,  to  my  inexpressible  horror  and  disappoint- 
ment, that  he  had  deceived  me.  I  had  now  no  alterna- 
tive left  but  to  make  my  way  back  through  the  same 
difficulties  I  had  just  passed,  and  to  the  shore  where  he 
had  just  left  me,  and  then  I  should  have  no  other  chance 
but  to  call  and  make  signs  to  the  Missouri  shore,  Avhich 
I  had  just  left  with  so  much  joy,  and,  as  I  hoped,  for- 
ever. This  was  at  length  accomplished,  and  I  had  the 
inexpressible  joy  of  seeing  my  sign  answered  by  the  same 
boy,  who  soon  came  paddling  to  me.  As  soon  as  his 
canoe  touched  the  island  I  bounded  into  it,  and  said  to 
him  with  a  determined  tone  and  manner,  ''  you  have  de- 
ceived me,  my  boy,  so  now  you  have  to  go  to  the  oppo- 
site shore  if  you  never  went  before,  and  I  will  then  pay 
you  another  dollar,  which  will  pay  you,  even  if  your  pa- 
rents chasten  you  for  going."  We  now  headed  up  the 
current,  and,  after  a  iwiinful  and  laborious  exertion  of  an 
hour  or  two,  we  doubled  the  cape  at  the  head  of  the  island, 
and  shot  off  across  the  river  at  a  rapid  rate. 

We  soon  landed  in  the  woods  in  a  low  bottom,  with 
no  signs  of  inhabitants,  although  while  crossing  I  had  seen 
some    houses    on  the  shore  a  mile  or  two  below.      I  now 


308      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

paid  the  boy  his  dollar,  and  he  pushed  off  and  commenced 
his  way  back  exceedingly  well  pleased.  I  immediately 
stepped  a  few  paces  into  the  woods,  and,  kneeling  down, 
kissed  the  ground  as  a  land  of  liberty,  and  then  poured 
out  my  soul  in  thanks  to  God.  I  then  arose  and  made 
my  way  dowTU  the  river  for  some  two  miles  through  woods 
and  swamps,  and  finally  came  to  a  house.  I  entered  it, 
determined  to  call  for  somethiiig  to  eat ;  no  one  was  in 
but  a  little  boy,  but  he  said  his  mother  would  be  in  in 
two  or  three  minutes.  I  asked  him  for  some  milk,  and  he 
gave  me  a  vessel  which  was  full,  probably  containing  be- 
tween one  and  two  quarts.  I  intended  only  to  taste  of  it  to 
keep  me  from  fainting,  and  then  wait  till  the  woman 
came,  and  ask  her  leave  to  drink  the  remainder,  as  it 
was  all  she  had ;  but  once  to  my  famishing  mouth  it 
never  ceased  to  decrease  till  it  was  all  swallowed  ;  I  now 
felt  somewhat  abashed  and  mortified  at  what  I  had  done, 
but  concluded  money  woidd  pay  all  damages.  Hearing 
the  footsteps  of  the  woman  at  the  door,  I  was  fixing  my 
mouth  for  an  awkwaid  apology,  when  I  heard  a  sudden 
scream  ;  on  looking  up,  Mrs.  Sabery  Granger  stood  before 
me,  with  both  hands  lifted  up  in  an  ecstacy  of  amaze- 
ment. I  said  to  her,  "  be  not  afraid — handle  me  and  see, 
for  a  spirit  hath  not  flesh  and  bones  as  you  see  me  have." 
She  exclaimed,  "why,  good  Lord,  is  that  you?  Why  all 
the  world  is  hunting  you — both  friends  'and  enemies  ;  they 
had  almost  given  you  up."  She  then  flew  around,  scold- 
ed the  children,  talked  to  the  ducks  and  chickens  to  keep 
out  of  the  house  and  out  of  the  garden,  and  not  stray 
off.  She  washed  my  feet,  gave  me  some  clean  stockings, 
got  me  some  dinner,  told  me  a  thousand  things  about  our 
friends,  asked  five  hundred  questions,  laughed,  cried  and 
again  scolded  the  children  and  chickens. 

This  over  and  dinner  eaten,  she  on  with  her  bonnet  and 
accompanied  me  to  her  husband,  who  was  clearing  a  small 
spot  of  land  near  by.      [1  had  forgotten  to  say  that  this 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  309 

woman  had  beeu  oue  of  our  nearest  neighbors  in  Ohio  for 
several  years.]  Her  husband  now  dropped  his  work,  and 
accompanied  me  as  a  guide  for  five  miles  across  a  wet, 
low,  untimbered  bottom,  covered  mostly  with  high  grass 
and  stagnant  water,  and  entu-ely  destitute  of  shade  or  re- 
freshment of  any  kind.  The  air  was  now  extremely  sul- 
trj^,  and  the  sun  poured  in  scorching  beams,  while  we 
could  get  no  water  to  drink,  nor  any  rest  or  retreat  for 
a  moment.  To  sit  down  in  the  tall  grass  under  these 
scorching  rays,  without  a  breath  of  wind,  would  be  over- 
whelming. 

I  had  not  proceeded  more  than  a  mile  or  two  before  I 
became  so  weak  and  faint  that  I  could  hardly  speak  or 
stand,  and  parched  with  a  buining  thirst.  I  was  upon 
the  point  of  lying  down  in  the  hot  and  stagnant  water, 
but  he  took  me  by  the  arm  and  partly  supported  me,  and 
drew  me  along  for  some  distance,  exhorting  and  begging 
of  me  to  try  my  utmost  to  hold  up  a  little  longer.  In 
this  way  I  finally  reached  the  upland  and  the  shade  of 
a  fence,  within  about  half  a  mile  of  a  settlement  of  the 
Saints  and  other  citizens,  which  extended  along  the  bluflf. 
I  dropped  down  under  the  shade  of  this  fence,  and  faint- 
ed entirely  away  ;  the  man  ran  to  the  house  of  a  brother 
Brown  and  got  some  cool  spring  water  and  a  little  cam- 
phor, and  was  returning  with  it.  Sister  Brown,  who  had 
never  seen  me,  came  running  before  him  to  my  relief  5 
while  they  were  yet  distant  I  had  partly  come  to,  and 
feeling  a  dreadful  faiutness  at  my  stomach,  and  a  raging 
thirst  which  knew  no  bounds,  I  made  an  effort  to  arise 
and  run  towards  them,  at  the  same  time  making  signs 
for  them  to  hasten  ;  I  staggered  a  few  paces  like  a  drunk- 
en man,  and  again  fell  to  the  earth.  This  singular  ap- 
pearance, and  my  dirty  clothes  and  long  beard  so  fright- 
ened the  woman  that,  instead  of  hurrying,  she  halted  till 
the  man  came  up  with  her,  and  then  she  exclaimed,  "  It 
cannot  be  Elder  Pratt,  of  whom  I  have  heard  so  much— 


310 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


it  must  be  some  old  draukard."  But  the  man  assured 
her  it  was  me,  and  they  then  came  on  together.  They 
bathed  my  temples  and  ^vlists  in  cold  water  and  camphor, 
and  finally  gave  me  a  spoonful  or  two  at  a  time  to  didnk. 
In  alx>ut  half  an  hour-  I  was  so  far  revived  as  to  be  able 
to  arise  and  be  led  to  the  house.  I  then  shaved  and 
washed  myself,  and  boiTOwed  a  change  of  linen,  and  got 
into  a  comfortable  bed, 

Next  morning  I  felt  quite  refreshed,  and,  after  resting 
through  the  day,  I  was  so  far  recruited  as  to  be  able  to 
mount  a  horse  at  evening  and  ride  towards  Quiucy,  which 
was  still  twentj-flve  miles  distant.  Brother  Brown  fur- 
nished me  a  good  horse  and  saddle,  and  himself  another, 
and  we  started  for  Quincy  in  high  spirits  just  as  the  sun 
was  setting.  We  rode  on  at  a  brisk  rate,  and  arrived  in 
Qnincy  at  about  two  o'clock  the  next  morning.  Biding  up 
to  the  dwelling  which  (from  the  partial  recollection  of  Mr. 
Brown,  as  well  as  from  the  fact  of  my  two  Missouri  cows 
lying  before  it  quietly  chcMin^;-  their  cud)  we  judged  was  my 
wife's  residence,  we  dismounted  and  gave  a  gentle  knock 
at  the  door.  She  had  watched  for  four  successive  nights 
and  most  of  the  fifth,  and  had  now  just  lain  down  and 
given  up  aU  for  lost.  On  hearing  the  knock  she  sprang 
from  bed  and  opened  the  door,  and  in  another  instant  I 
had  clasped  her  in  my  arms. 


CHAPTER     XXXY. 

OPINIONS   OF   THE   PRESS. 

Extracts  from  the  "Columbia  Patriot:" — "Banner  of  Liberty:" — "Boone's  Lick 
Democrat : " — "  Saturday  News :" — "  Missouri  Republican :" — "  New  York 
Sun:" — "  Quincy  Argus:" — Minutes  of  a  Public  Meeting  in  Quincy: — 
"New  York  Commercial  Advertiser:" — Public  Meeting  in  New  York: — 
Closing   Remarks. 

TjlXTRACT  of  a  letter  from  A.  W.  Turner,  member  of 
-'-^  the  Legislature  of  Missouri,  dated  City  of  Jefferson, 
November  31st,  1838,  originally  published  in  the  Columhia 
(Missouri)  Patriot  : 

"  The  Mormon  war  is  the  most  exciting  subject  before 
the  Legislature  or  the  community  ;  it  involves  an  inquky 
the  most  critical  of  any  ever  presented  to  the  Leg- 
islature of  this  country ;  one  in  which  the  rights  of  a 
portion  of  the  free  citizens  of  the  State  is  concerned,  on 
the  one  side,  and  the  rights  of  another  portion  of  the 
same  citizens  on  the  other.  Upon  the  decision  of  this 
subject  the  character  of  the  State  is  susj)ended.  If,  upon 
full  investigation,  it  is  found  (and  reported  by  the  com- 
mittee to  the  Legislature)  that  the  Mormons  are  not  the 
aggTessors,  and  that  some  of  them  have  been  murdered, 
others  driven  from  the  State  by  military  force,  and  others 
imprisoned  by  order  of  the  Executive,  then  our  character 
will  be  estabUshed  as  the  most  lawless  invaders  of  re- 
ligious and  civil  rights." 

Will  the  public  beUeve  that,  with  the  foregoiug  view  of 
the  subject,  the  Legislature  avoided  an  investigation*? 


312      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

The  following  is  froDi  a  INIissouii  paper,  i^rinted  in 
CaUaway  County,  entitled  The  Banner  of  Liberty  : 

"  The  Governor  of  Missouri  has  negotiated  a  State  loan 
ATith  the  Bank  of  Missouri,  of  three  hundred  and  forty 
thousand  dollars.  Of  this  sum,  two  himdi^ed  thousand 
dollars  are  to  go  towards  j)aying  the  expenses  of  the 
troops  called  out  to  drive  the  Mormons  from  the  State.^ 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  Boone's  IdcJc  Democrat^  a 
Missouri  paper,  under  date  of  January  9,  1839 : 

"  A  letter  under  date  of  the  29th  of  November,  1838, 
has  been  written  by  Michael  Arthur,  of  Clay  County,  to 
the  delegation  from  that  county  in  the  General  Assembly 
now  in  session,  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 
'  Humanity  to  an  injured  people  prompts  me  at  present 
to  adflress  you  this.' 

"  '  You  were  aware  of  the  treatment  to  some  extent  before 
yoi»  left  home,  received  by  that  unfortunate  race  of  beings 
called  Mormons,  from  devils  in  the  form  of  human  beings; 
inhabiting    Davies,   Li\-ingston    and    part  of    Eay  Counties. 

"  '  Not  being  satisfied  with  a  relinquishment  of  their 
rights,  as  citizens  and  human  beings,  in  the  treaty  forced 
upon  them  by  General  Lucas,  of  giving  up  their  arms 
and  throwing  themselves  upon  the  mercy  of  the  State 
and  their  fellow  citizens  generally  (hoping  thereby  to  gain 
protection  of  then-  lives  and  property) ;  they  are  now  re- 
ceiving treatment  from  those  demons  which  makes  hu- 
manity shudder,  and  the  cold  chills  run  over  any  man  not 
entirely  destitute  of   humanity. 

" '  These  demons  are  now  strolling  up  and  down  Cald- 
well County  in  small  companies  armed,  insulting  the  women 
in  any  and  every  way,  and  plundering  the  Mormons  of 
all  the  means  of  sustenance  (scanty  as  it  was)  left  them, 
driving  off  their  cattle,  horses,  hogs,  etc.,  and  rifling  their 
houses  and  farms  of  everj  thing  thereon ;  taking  beds,  bed- 
ding, wardrobes,  and  such  things  as  they  see  they  want — 
leaving  the    Mormons    in    a  starving  and  naked  condition. 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      313 

These  are  facts  I  have  from  authority  that  cannot  be 
questioned,  and  can  be  maintained  and  substantiated  at 
any  time.'" 

The  following-  appeared  in  the  St.  Louis  (Mo.)  SaUirday 
News.  The  reader  may  draw  his  own  contrast  between 
the  two  statements  : 

"The  Mormons: — That  self-affticted  class  of  people 
who  has  chosen  the  fancy  name  of  Mormons  has  elicited 
some  sympathy  and  well  intended  compassion  from  some 
of  our  charitable  citizens,  and  two  meetings  have  been 
called  to  de^-ise  means  of  relieving-  their  i)resent  wants. 
Although  many  of  the  Mormons  deserve  hanging,  as  an 
atonement  for  their  ci-immal  proceedings  and  corrupt  inten- 
tions, they  are  ti'uly  objects  of   charity. 

"But  if  this  intrinsically  vagrant  race  (the  Mormons) 
would  relieve  themselves  from  the  humiliating  necessity  of 
asking  charity,  they  should  mind  their  own  business,  *  * 
abandon  abolition,  and  apply  themselves  to  hard  labor,  as 
those  do  who  are  actively  engaged  in  attempting  their  rehef. 

"No  attempt  should  be  made  to  retain  a  single  Mor- 
mon within  the  boundaries  of  Missouri.  A  colonization 
society  might  find  advantageous  employment  in  sending 
them  all  off   to  Botany  Bay." 

The  following  resolves  were  adopted  at  a  pubUc-  meet- 
ing of  the  people  of  Davies  County,  Missouri,  and  pub- 
Ushed  in  one  of  the  journals  of  the  State  : 

"  1st.  Resolved,  That  we  esteem  the  laws  of  our  country 
our  great  bulwark,  and-  the  only  safe  refuge  to  protect 
us  in  this  and  every  other  emergency. 

"  2d.  Resolvd,  That  we  highly  approve  of  the  course  oi 
the  Executive  in  placing  Gen.  Clark  in  command  of  the 
forces  ordered  out  against  the  Mormons,  and  that  his 
orders  to  exterminate  and  drive  them  from  the 
State  was  dictated  by  the  imperious  duty  of  his  ofl&ce  as 
Governor  of  the  State." 


314      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

The  following  is  from  the  Missouri  Eepublican,  published 
at  St.  Louis  : 

"  To  show  our  readers  the  amount  of  injury  which  is 
now  inflicted  on  the  character  of  our  State,  and  which 
there  is  no  means  of  repeUing  (the  Legislature  having  re- 
fused to  inquire  into  the  matter),  we  copy  the  following 
from  the  proceedings  of  a  public  meeting  held  in  Quincy, 
Illinois,  as  i)ublished  in  the   Quincy  Whig  of   the    2d  inst : 

"  '  Mr.  Sidney  Rigdon  rose  and  read  the  memorial  which 
his  people  had  presented  to  the  Legislature  of  Missouri, 
and  other  documents,  going  to  show  the  absence  of  all 
law  and  justice  in  the  course  the  Missouii  authorities  had 
pursued  toward  them,  from  Governor  Boggs  down  to  the 
lowest  grade  of  officers.' " 

"  After  another  had  addressed  the  meeting,  the  same  ac- 
count saj's  :  '■  Mr.  Eigdon  again  took  the  floor,  and  in  a 
very  eloquent  and  impressive  manner  related  the  trials, 
sufferings  and  i)ersecutions  which  his  i)eople  have  met 
■with  at  the  hands  of  the  people  of  Missouri.  We  saw 
the  tears  standing  in  the  eyes  of  many  of  his  people 
while  he  was  recounting  their  history  of  woe  and  sorrow, 
and,  in  fact,  the  gentleman  himse'f  was  so  agitated  at 
different  periods  of  his  address  that  his  feelings  would 
hardly  allow  him  to  i)roceed.' 

"  We  are  satisfied  that  his  address  will  have  a  lasting 
and  good  effect,  sustained,  as  it  was,  by  the  public  docu- 
ments which  he  produced. 

"  '  We  will  not  attempt  to  follow  him  through  the  cold 
blooded  murder,  by  the  mob  of  Missouri,  of  Mormon  men 
and  children,  the  violation  of  females,  the  desti'oying  of 
property,  the  burning  of  houses,  etc. 

"  In  vain  may  the  press  in  Missouri  protest  against 
these  representations.  In  vain  may  we  declare  that  Rig- 
don and  his  followers  were  doing  injustice,  misrepresenting 
and  slandering  our  people,  their  institutions  and  officers, 
etc.,  the  public  abroad  will  judge  us  by  the  course  of  our 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      315 

Legislature.  We  have  made  our  bed  and  must  lie  down 
on  it. 

"  A  friend,  residing  in  Lafayette  County,  a  few  days 
since  called  our  attention  to  reports  in  circulation  in  i^ew 
York  seriously  affecting  the  character  of  the  State,  grow- 
ing out  of  this  subject,  and  requesting  us  to  contradict 
them.  Most  cheerfully  would  we  undertake  the  task,  but 
we  know  it  is  hopeless." 

The  following  is  from  the  i^ew  York  Sun.  After  giving 
some  extracts  fi^om  St.  Louis  papers,  showing  the  out- 
rages of  the  people  of  Missouri  against  the  Mormons,  the 
editor  proceeds  thus  : 

"That  Captain  Bogart  must  be  very  much  like  a  black- 
guard and  a  coward,  if  he  is  not  a  decided  candidate  for 
both  titles.  He  was  one  of  those  who  started  the  horri- 
ble stories  of  the  '■  cutting  up  of  Missourians,  fifty  at  a 
hatch,  by  the  Mormons.'  Probably  he  ran  away  from  his 
company,  amd  imagined  the  horrible  stories  he  carried. 
The  shooting  down  of  a  flag  staff  bearing  a  flag  of  truce 
is  characteristic  of  the  bravery  of  a  coward,  when  backed 
by  3,000  men  against  700. 

"They  must  have  a  primitive  mode  of  administering 
justice  in  Missouri.  These  Mormons  are  as  much  citizens 
as  the  others,  and  yet,  T\ithout  trial,  ui>on  the  ex  parte 
testimony  of  the  persons  who  had  provoked  the  Mormons 
to  retaliation,  the  Governor  issues  orders,  if  we  understand 
the  case,  for  the  expulsion  of  the  Mormons  from  the  State 
of  Missouri. 

"  The  Emperor  of  Eussia,  the  Shah  of  Persia,  or  the 
Sultan  of  Turkey  could  not  embrace  in  his  own  person 
more  legislative,  judicial  and  executive  power  than  is  here 
assumed.  Legislative,  in  the  enactment  and  i)romulgation 
of  an  edict  of  banishment.  Judicial — extra  judicial — in 
sentencing  them  to  banishment  mider  it.  Executive,  in 
summoning  the  force  of  the  State  to  put  in  force  his  own 
judgment  upon  his  own  edict.    Well  done,  Governor  Boggs! 


316      AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PKATT. 

"We  are  sorry  to  hear  of  the  massacre  of  the  Mor- 
mons by  the  armed  mob ;  however,  this  rioleuce,  being 
the  natural  promptings  of  infuriated  men,  is  i^ositively  less 
culpable  than  the  cool  ignorance  and  impudent,  illegal 
assumption  of  the  Governor  of  Missouri." 

From  the  Qnincy  (111.)  Argus,  March  16,  1839  : 
"  We  give  in  to-day's  paper  the  details  of  the  recent 
bloody  tragedy  acted  in  Missouri — the  details  of  a  scene 
of  terror  and  blood  unparalleled  in  the  annals  of  modem, 
and,  under  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  in  ancient  his- 
tory ;  a  tragedy  of  so  deep,  and  fearful,  and  absorbing 
interest  that  the  very  life  blood  of  the  heart  is  chilled  at 
the  simple  contemplation.  We  are  prompted  to  ask  our- 
selves if  it  be  really  true  that  we  are  living  in  an  en- 
lightened, a  humane  and  civilized  age,  in  an  age  and 
quarter  of  the  world  boasting  of  its  progress  in  everything 
good  and  gTcat,  honorable,  virtuous  and  high  minded ;  iu 
a  country,  of  which,  as  American  citizens,  we  could  ask 
whether  we  are  Uving  under  a  Constitution  and  laws,  or 
have  not  rather  returned  to  the  ruthless  times  of  the  stem 
Atilla — to  the  times  of  the  fiery  Hun — when  the  sword 
and  flame  ravaged  the  fair  fields  of  Italy  and  Europe, 
and  the  darkest  passions  held  full  revel  in  aU  the  revolt- 
ing scenes  of  unchecked  brutality  and  unbridled  desire  f 

"  We  have  no  language  sufficiently  strong  for  the  ex- 
pression of  our  indignation  and  shame  at  the  recent  trans- 
action in  a  sister  State,  and  that  State  Mmouri,  a  State 
of  which  we  had  long  been  proud,  alike  for  her  men  and 
history,  but  now  so  fallen  that  we  could  wish  her  star 
stricken  out  from  the  bright  constellation  of  the  Union. 
We  say  we  know  of  no  language  sufficiently  strong  for 
the  expression  of  our  shame  and  abhorrence  of  her  recent 
conduct.  She  has  written  her  own  character  in  letters  of 
blood,  and  stained  it  by  aets  of  merciless  craelty  and 
brutaUty  that  the  waters  of  ages  cannot  efface.  It  wiU 
be  observed  that   an  organized  mob,  aided  by  many  of  the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      317 

civil  and  military  officers  of  Missouri,  with  Governor  Bpggs 
at  their  head,  have  been  the  prominent  actors  in  this 
business,  incited  too,  it  appears,  against  the  Mormons  by 
political  hatred,  and  by  the  additional  motives  of  plunder 
and  revenge.  Thej^  have  but  too  well  put  in  execution 
theu'  threats  of  extermination  and  expulsion,  and  fully 
wreaked  their  vengeance  on  a  body  of  industrious  and  en- 
terprising men,  who  had  never  wronged  or  wished  to 
wrong  them,  but,  on  the  contrary,  had  ever  comi)orted 
themselves  as  good  and  honest  citizens,  li\iug  under  the 
laws  and  having  the  same  rights  with  themselves,  to  the 
sacred  immunities  of  life,  liberty  and  'property.^'' 

"  Public   Meeting  : 

"  Wednesday,  Feb.  27,  1839.     6  P.  M. 

"  The  members  of  the  Democratic  Association,  and  the 
citizens  of  Quincy  generally,  assembled  in  the  court 
house,  to  take  into  consideration  the  state  and  condition 
of  the  people  called  'The  Latter-Day  Saints,'  and  organ- 
ized the  meeting  by  appointing  Gen.  Leach,  chairman,  and 
James  D.  Morgan,  secretary. 

"  Mr.  Whitney,  from  the  committee  appointed  at  a  former 
meeting,  submitted  the  following  report : 

"  The  select  committee,  to  whom  the  subject  was  referred, 
of  inquiring  into  and  reporting  the  situation  of  the  persons 
who  have  recently  arrived  from  Missouri;  and  whether 
their  circumstances  are  snch  that  they  would  need  the  aid 
of  the  citizens  of  Quincy  antl  its  \Ticinity,  to  be  guided  by 
what  they  might  deem  the  principles  of  an  expanded  be- 
nevolence, have  attended  to  the  duties  assigned  them,  and 
have  concluded  on  the  following 

EEPORT: 

"  The  committee  belicA^e  that  their  duties  at  this  time 
and  on  this  occasion,  are  all  included  within  the  limits  of 
an    expanded    benevolence    and    humanity,    and   which    are 


318      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

guided  by  that  charity  which  '  never  faileth.'  From  the 
facts  already  disclosed,  independent  of  the  statement  fur- 
nished by  the  committee,  they  feel  it  their  duty  to  recom- 
mend to  this  association  that  they  adopt  the  following 
resolutions : 

"  Resolve  J ^  That  the  strangers  recently  arrived  here  from 
the  State  of  Missouri,  known  by  the  name  of  The  Latter- 
Day  Saints,  are  entitled  to  our  sympathy  and  kindest 
regard;  and  that  we  recommend  to  the  citizens  of  Quincy 
to  extend  to  theni  all  the  kindness  in  then-  j)ower  to 
bestow,  as  to  persons  who  are  in  affliction.        *        *        * 

"  Resolved^  That  the  committee  last  aforesaid  be  instruct- 
ed to  use  theii"  utmost  endeavors  to  obtain  emplojinent 
for  all  these  people  who  are  able  and  Avilliug  to  labor; 
and  also  to  afford  them  all  needful,  suitable  and  proper 
encoiu-agement.      *        «        # 

"All  of  which  is  submitted. 

"  J.  W.  Whitney,  Chairman. 
"  Quency,  February  27,  1839. 

"  Mr.  Eigdon  then  made  a  statement  of  the  wrongs  re- 
ceived by  the  ]\Iormons  from  a  portion  of  the  i^eople  of 
IVIissouri,  and  of  their  present  suffering  condition. 

"  On  motion  of  Mr.  Bushnell,  the  report  and  resolutions 
were  laid  wpon  the  table  till  to-morrow  evening. 

"  On  motion  of  Mr.  Bushnell,  the  meeting  adjourned  to 
meet  at  this  place  on  to-morrow  evening  at  seven  o'clock." 

"  Thursday  evening,  Feb.  28. 

"Met,  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

"The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  chairman. 

"  On  motion  of  Mr.  Morris,  a  committee  of  three  was 
appointed  to  take  up  a  collection;  Messrs.  J.  T.  Holmes, 
Whitney  and  Morris  were  appointed. 

"  The  committee  subsequently  reported  that  $48.25  cents 
had  been  collected. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      319 

"  On  motion  the  amount  was  paid  over  to  the  committee 
on  behalf  of  the  Mormons. 

"  On  motion  of  Mr.  Holmes,  a  committee  of  three,  con- 
sisting of  S.  HoLmes,  Bushnell  and  Morris,  was  appointed 
to  draw  up  subscription  papers  and  circulate  them  among 
the  citizens,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  contributions  in 
clothing  and  provisions. 

"  On  motion,  six  were  added  to  that  committee. 

"  On  motion  of  J.  T.  Holmes,  J.  D.  Morgan  was  appointed 
a  committee  to  wait  on  the  Quincy  Grays,  for  the  puri)ose 
of  receiving  subscrij^tions. 

"Mr.  Morgan  subsequently  reported  that  $20  had  been 
subscribed  by  that  company. 

"  The  following  resolutions  were  then  offered  by  J.  T. 
Holmes : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  regard  the  rights  of  conscience  as 
natural  and  inalienable,  and  the  most  sacred  guaranteed 
by  the  Constitution  of   our  free  Government. 

^^  Resolved,  That  we  regard  the  acts  of  all  mobs  as  fla- 
grant violations  of  law,  and  those  who  compose  them  in- 
dividually responsible,  both  to  the  laws  of  God  and  man, 
for  every  depredation  committed  upon  the  property,  rights, 
or  life  of   any  citizen. 

Resolved,  That  the  inhabitants  upon  the  western  frontier 
of  the  State  of  Missouri,  in  their  late  persecutions  of  the 
class  of  people  denominated  Mormons,  have  violated  the 
sacred  rights  of  conscience,  and  every  law  of  justice  and 
humanity. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Governor  of  Missouri  in  refusing 
protection  to  this  class  of  people,  when  pressed  upon  by 
a  heartless  mob,  and  tiuning  upon  them  a  band  of  iin- 
j)rincipled  mUitia,  with  orders  encouraging  their  extermina- 
tion, has  brought  a  lasting  disgrace  upon  the  State  over 
which  he  presides. 


320      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

"The    resolutions   were    supported    iu    a  spirited  inauuer 
by  Messrs.  Holmes,  Morris  and  Whitney. 
"  On  motion,   the  resolutions  were  adopted. 
"  On   motion  the  meeting  then  adjourned. 

"  Samuel  Leach,  Chairman. 
"J.  D.  Morgan,  Secretary/' 

From  the  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser. 

"  MEETUNfG    IN    BEHALF    OF    THE    MORMONS. 

"Last  evening,  pursuant  to  public  notice,  a  large  meet- 
ing assembled  at  National  Hall,  to  listen  to  the  recital 
of  the  wrongs  and  suflerings  of  the  Mormons,  and  to 
devise  means  for  the  relief   of   their  women  and  children. 

"  The  meeting  was  organized  by  placing  Mr.  Charles 
King  in  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Marcus  Spring  as  Secretary. 
The  Chairman  having  briefly  stated  the  object  of  the 
meeting,  and  read  the  circular  letter  signed  by  Governor 
Carlin,  of  Illinois ;  Senator  Young,  from  that  State,  and 
other  residents,  vouching  for  the  trustworthiness  of  Mr. 
Green,  who  is  deputed  by  this  people  to  make  their  case 
known  to  the  country,  the  Chairman  introduced  Mr.  Green 
to  the  meeting. 

"  Mr.  Green  proceeded  to  give  a  plain,  unadorned,  and, 
as  is  believed,  uuexaggerated  narrative  of  the  settlement 
of  the  Mormons  in  Missouri,  of  the  constant  outrages  to 
which  they  were  subjected,  and  the  series  of  persecutions 
which  were  only  ended  by  their  forcible  expulsion  from  the 
State ;  and  the  surrender,  without  compensation,  of  the 
lands  and  houses  they  had  acquired  by  theii'  ov/n  money, 
or  built  with  their  own  hands. 

"  Mr.  Green  was  himself  an  actor  and  witness  in  many 
of  the  scenes  he  described,  and  he  related  them  inthout 
any  attem])t  at  ornament  or  appeal  to  passion. 

"  When  Mr.  Green  took  his  seat,  Joseph  Blunt,  Esq., 
addressed    the    meeting    with  ability  and    great  effect,  and 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      321 

offered  the  resolutions  that  will  be  found  below.  He  was 
eloquently  followed  and  seconded  by  Hiram  Ketchum, 
Esq.  The  resolutions  were  farther  supported  by  several 
speakers,  among  whom  were  Dr.  D.  31.  Eeese  and  W.  L. 
Stone,  Esq. ;  when  the  question  was  taken  on  them  sepa-- 
rately,  and  they  were  carried  almost  without  a  dissenting 
voice. 

"  Upon  a  suggestion  from  the  Chair,  that  as  the  wants 
of  the  sufferers  were  lu'gent,  good  might  arise  from  some 
immediate  contributions — a  mechanic  in  his  working  jacket 
stood  up,  saying  that  having  often  witnessed  the  good 
effects  of  example  on  such  occasions,  he  proposed,  although, 
as  he  added,  the  sum  he  could  give  was  humble,  if  nine 
others  would  do  likewise,  to  give  five  dollars,  and  immedi- 
ately walked  up  to  the  table  and  deposited  the  money. 
The  challenge  was  accepted  by  several  others,  and  a  sum 
exceeding  fifty  dollars  was  collected  on  the  spot. 

"  The  meeting  then  adjourned,  it  being  imderstood  that, 
the  committee  named  to  receive  and  distribute  contribu- 
tions would  at  once  enter  upon  their  duties. 

^^Resolved,  That  as  Americans,  we  have  heard  with 
shame  and  indig-nation  the  narrative  given  by  Mr.  Green 
of  the  persecutions,  sufferings  and  lawless  violence  of 
which  a  body  of  American  citizens  have  been  the  subjects 
and  the  victims,  for  no  other  apparent  cause  than  that 
without  hinderance  to  others,  or  \'iolation  of  any  law  of 
the  land,  they  had  acted  upon  the  right  guaranteed  them 
by  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  of  a  free  exercise 
of  religion. 

^^ Resolved,  That,  without  meaning  to  express  any  opinion 
whatever,  as  to  the  religious  views  or  practices  of  the 
Mormons  as  a  sect,  we  condemn  and  desire  to  bear  our 
testimony  against  mob  law,  lynch  law  and  all  other  forms 
of  outrage  and  \iolence  where  an  excited  populace  be- 
comes at  once  jury,  judge  and  executioner. 

21 


322 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


^^Besolved,  That  the  Mormons,  as  wronged,  persecuted, 
exiled  and  defrauded  Americans,  are  entitled  to  the  sym- 
pathy and  support  of  their  countrymen ;  and  that  especi- 
ally in  behalf  of  the  women  and  children,  driven  from 
their  homes  at  the  i)oint  of  the  bayonet,  we  api^eal  to 
the  known  benevolence  of  our  fellow  citizens  at  large  for 
pecuniary  aid. 

^^  Besolved,  That  the  Chairman  and  Secretary  be  a  com- 
mittee, with  power  to  add  to  thek  numbers,  to  obtain 
subscriptions  in  aid  of  the  women  and  children  of  the 
Mormons ;  such  subscrij)tions  to  be  applied  after  due  in- 
vestigation by  the  committee  themselves. 

"  Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  signed  by  the  Chair-  I 
man  and   Secretary,  and    published  in   the  newspapers. 

"  Charles  King,  Chairman.       , 
"Marcus  Spring,  Secretary^  \ 


From  the  foregoing  numerous  extracts  the  pubbc  can 
see  that  ray  honible  tale  of  woe  is  not  a  fiction ;  but  an 
awful  realitj*.  I  might  fill  a  volume  with  similar  (juota- 
tions  from  the  public  joui-nals  of  every  part  of  the  Union, 
but  I  forbear,  with  the  full  conviction  that  the  foregoing- 
are  suflicient  to  show  that  an  imi)artial  public,  who  stand 
entirely  unconnected  with  our  society,  as  religionists,  bear 
out  my  narrative  in  its  awful  tale  of  woe  and  suffering ; 
and  I  now  submit  the  subject  to  the  i^erusal  of  all  people, 
willing  to  meet  my  statements  in  the  foregoing  at  the 
bar  of  Him  who  knows  all  secret  things,  and  who  judges 
righteously. 


CHAPTER     XXXVI. 

Congratulations  : — Remove  to  Naiivoo  : — Meet  with  President  Smith  and  Other 
Fellow  Sufferers: — President  Smith's  Eeproof  for  the  Elders: — Toils: — Start 
for  England: — Arrival  in  Detroit: — Visit  my  Brother  Anson  and  Parents: 
— Arrive  in  New  York : — Visit  Philadelphia  and  Washington  : — Meet  Pre- 
sident Smith  : — Great  Meeting  : — Preacliing  by  S.  Rigdon  and  President 
Smith: — Success  in  New  York: — FareweU  Song: — Sail  for  England: — Re- 
flections. 

BEING  ouce  more  at  liberty,  and  iu  the  enjoyment  of 
tbe  society  of  family  and  friends,  I  spent  a  few  days 
in  rest  and  refreshment,  and  in  receiving  the  congratula- 
tions of  my  friends  and  fellow  citizens.  My  house  was 
thronged  from  day  to  day,  not  only  with  my  old  acquaint- 
ances and  fellow  exiles,  hut  with  strangers  of  every  sect 
and  party,  all  anxious  to  see  a  martyr,  as  it  were,  who 
had  been  so  wonderfully  and  miraculously  delivered  from 
bondage  and  death  in  their  most  terrible  forms. 

After  a  few  days  spent  in  this  way,  Ave  removed  to 
Nauvoo,  a  new  town,  about  fifty  miles  above  Quincy. 
Here  lived  President  Joseph  Smith  and  many  of  the 
refugees  who  had  survived  the  storm  of  persecution  in 
Missouri.  It  had  been  already  appointed  as  a  gathering 
place  for  the  scattered  Saints,  and  many  families  were  on 
the  ground,  living  in  the  open  air,  or  under  the  shade  of 
trees,  tents,  wagons,  etc.  While  others  occupied  a  few 
old  buildings,  which  they  had  purchased  or  rented.  Others, 
again,  were  living  in  some  old  log  buildings  on  the  opj)0- 
site  side  of  the  Mississippi,  at  a  place  called  Montrose, 
and  which  had  formerly  served  the  puri)Ose  of  barracks 
for  soldiers. 


324     AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PABLEY  P.  PEATT. 

The  hardships  and  exposures  consequent  on  the  perse- 
cutions, caused  a  general  sickness.  Here  and  there,  and  in 
every  place,  a  majority  of  the  people  were  prostrated  with 
malignant  fevers,   agues,   etc. 

When  we  first  arrived  we  lived  in  the  open  air,  without 
any  other  shelter  whatever.  Here  I  met  brother  Joseph 
Smith,  from  whom  I  had  been  separated  since  the  close 
of  the  mock  trial  in  Kichmond  the  year  previous.  Neither 
of  us  could  refrain  from  tears  as  we  embraced  each  other 
once  more  as  free  men.  We  felt  like  shouting  hosannah 
in  the  highest,  and  giving  glory  to  that  God  who  had 
delivered  us  in  fulfilment  of  His  word  to  His  servant 
Joseph  the  previous  autumn,  when  we  were  being  carried- 
into  captivity  in  Jackson  County,  Missouri.  He  blessed 
me  with  a  warmth  of  sympathy  and  brotherly  kindness 
which  I  shall  never  forget.  Here  also  I  met  with  Hyrum 
Smith  and  many  others  of  my  fellow  prisoners  with  a 
glow  of  mutual  joy  and  satisfaction  which  language  will 
never  reveal.  Father  and  mother  Smith,  the  parents  of 
our  prophet  and  President,  were  also  overwhelmed  with 
tears  of  joy  and  congratulation  ;  they  wept  like  children  as 
they  took  me  by  the  hand  ;  but,  O,  how  different  from  the 
tears  of  bitter  sorrow  which  were  pouring  down  their 
cheeks  as  they  gave  us  the  parting  hand  in  Far  West, 
and  saw  us  dragged  away  by  fiends  in  human  form. 

After  the  gush  of  feelings  consequent  on  our  happy 
meeting  had  subsided,  I  accompanied  Joseph  Smith  over 
the  Mississippi  in  a  skiff  to  ^isit  some  friends  in  Montrose. 
Here  many  were  lying  sick  and  at  the  point  of  death. 
Among  these  was  my  old  friend  and  fellow  servant,  Elijah 
Fordham,  who  had  been  with  me  in  that  extraordinary 
work  in  New  York  City  in  1837.  He  was  now  in  the 
last  stage  of  a  deadly  fever.  He  lay  ])rostrate  and  nearly 
speechless,  with  his  feet  poulticed  ;  his  eyes  were  sunk  in 
their  sockets  ;  his  flesh  was  gone  ;  the  paleness  of  death 
was    upon    him ;    and    he    was   hardly    to   be   distinguished 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      325 

from  a  corpse.  His  wife  was  weeping  over  him,  and  pre- 
paring clothes  for  his  burial. 

Brother  Joseph  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  in  a  voice 
and  energy  which  would  seemingly  have  raised  the  dead, 
he  cried  :  "  Brother  Fordham,  m  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  arise  and  walk."  It  was  a  voice  which  could 
be  heard  from  house  to  house  and  nearly  through  the 
neighborhood.  It  was  like  the  roaring  of  a  lion,  or  the 
heavy  thunderbolt.  Brother  Fordham  leaped  from  his  dying 
bed  in  an  instant,  shook  the  poultices  and  bandages  from 
his  feet,  put  on  his  clothes  so  quick  that  none  got  a  chance 
to  assist  him,  and  taking  a  cup  of  tea  and  a  little  refresh- 
ment, he  walked  T\ith  us  from  Jiouse  to  house  visiting  other 
sick  beds,  and  joining  in  prayer  and  ministrations  for  them, 
while  the  peoi:)le  followed  us,  and  with  joy  and  amazement 
gave  glory  to  God.  Several  more  were  called  up  in  a 
similar  manner  and  were  healed. 

Brother  Joseph,  while  in  the  Spirit,  rebuked  the  Elders 
who  would  continue  to  lay  hands  on  the  sick  from  day  to 
day  without  the  power  to  heal  them.  Said  he :  "  It  is 
time  that  such  things  ended.  Let  tlie  Elders  either  obtain 
the  power  of  God  to  heal  the  sicJi,  or  let  tliem  cease  to  minis- 
ter  the  forms  icitliout  the  poicer.'''' 

After  these  things  I  joined  with  brother  Kimball  in  pur- 
chasing some  land  in  the  contemplated  city  of  Nauvoo,  which 
was  then  a  wilderness,  and  both  of  us  went  to  work 
together  with  our  own  hands  to  build  us  a  log  house 
each.  After  toiling  a  few  days  in  this  manner  I  sold  out 
my  improvement  and  prepared  for  a  mission  to  England, 
as  oiu"  quorum  were  now  appointed  to  visit  that  country. 

On  the  29th  of  August,  1839,  I  took  leave  of  my  friends 
in  IS'auvoo  and  started  for  a  foreign  land.  I  was  accom- 
panied by  my  wife  and  three  children  (having  obtained 
my  son  Parley  from  his  nurse,  Mrs.  Allen),  and  Elders 
Orson  Pratt  and  Hyrum  Clark.  We  journeyed  in  our  own 
private    carnage,    drawn    by    two    horses.      Our   route    lay 


326       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

through  the  wild  and  but  partially  inhabited  countries  of 
Illinois,  Indiana  and  Michigan,  for  about  five  hundred  and 
eighty  miles,  to  Deti-oit,  the  capital  of  the  State  of  Michi- 
gan,  situated  at  the  head  of  Lake  Erie. 

The  first  day  we  rode  seventeen  miles  through  a  beauti- 
ful plain,   or  prairie.     Our  route  was  a  most  delightful  one. 

On  all  sides,  as  we  turned  our  eyes,  we  beheld  a  bound- 
less field  of  grass  and  flowers,  with  here  and  there  a  small 
gTOve  of  timber;  the  landscape  was  level  or  diversified 
with  gentle  swells;  the  surface  smooth  as  a  garden;  the 
soil  extremely  rich ;  and,  although  there  was  no  road  marked 
by  art,  yet  our  carriage  rolled  as  smoothly  and  easily  as 
if  it  had  been  on  a  railway.  Most  of  this  delightful  prairie 
was  without  inhabitants,  and  could,  probably,  have  been 
l)urchased  for  one  dollar  and   a  quarter  per  acre. 

It  is  well  calculated  for  the  puri^oses  of  agriculture,  pro- 
ducing in  richest  profusion,  when  cultivated,  almost  every 
kind  of  grain  and  grass,  and  every  vegetable  suited  for 
the  climate. 

After  travelling  seventeen  miles  through  this  delightful 
scenery,  we  arrived  in  Carthage,  a  floimshing  \'illage.  Here 
we  stopped  for  the  night  with  a  member  of  our  society, 
who  received  us  kindly;  and  at  evening  preached  in  a 
large  court  room  to  an  attentive  audience.  Xext  day  we 
rode  some  twenty-five  miles  through  a  similar  country,  and 
at  evening  arrived  at  a  fine  tillage  called  Macomb.  Here 
we  were  kindly  entertained  over  Sabbath  by  a  brother 
Miller.     We  preached  in  the  coiirt  house. 

My  brother  Orson  and  brother  Clark  went  still  ahead 
about  thirty  miles,  where  they  preached  on  Sunday.  On 
Monday  morning  we  started  and  rode  thirty  miles  through 
a  delightful  country. 

Sometimes  we  were  in  the  midst  of  flourishing  farms  and 
villas,  and  sometimes  the  wild  deer  would  startle  from  their 
grazing  at  our  approach,  and  go  bounding  over  the  wild 
expanse  till  lost  in  the  distance. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY    P.     PRATT.  327 

lu  the  evening  we  arrived  at  the  house  of  ni;\'  brother, 
Wm.  Pratt,  where  we  found  brothers  Orson  Pratt  and 
Clark.  We  preached  at  a  neighboring  house,  which  was 
crowded  by  an  attentive  congregation.  Next  morning  we 
rode  eight  miles  to  Canton,  and  found  som-  Saints  who 
persuaded  us  to  stay  till  morning.  We  consented  5  and  in 
the  evening  preached  to  the  people  who  crowded  the  house 
and  yard,  and  who   seemed  Aery  anxious  to  hear  more. 

Continuing  om*  joiu'ney  we  came  next  day  to  Peoria, 
thirty  niiles  5  a  flourishing  town  on  the  Illinois  river.  Here 
we  tarried  \\ith  one  of  the  members  of  the  Church,  and 
were  kindly  entertained.  Next  day  made  thirty  miles,  and, 
providentially,  stopped  for  the  night  at  the  house  of  the 
only  member  of  our  society'  in  that  region.  When  he  learned 
who  we  were  he  welcomed  us,  and  finally  prevailed  upon  us 
to  stay  two  or  three  days,  after  which  we  blessed  him  and 
his   household   and   de])art(Hl. 

We  then  joiu-neyed  about  thirty-three  miles  every  day 
for  four  weeks,  and  at  length  found  ourselves  within  part 
of  a  day's  journey  of  Detroit.  Here  we  found  several 
small  branches  of  the  Church;  and  being  worn  down  with 
our  journey,  we  tarried  with  them  six  days,  during  which 
we  ministered  the  gospel.  Brother  O.  Pratt,  in  particular, 
preached  in  several  towns  to  large  and  attentive  audiences. 
Taking  leave  of  tlm  brethren,  we  rode  to  Detroit,  where  I 
found  my  brother  Anson  Pratt  and  family ;  whom  I  had 
not  seen  for  many  years,  and  also  my  aged  father  and 
mother,  who  were  now  lining  with  him.  My  father  was 
now  about  seventy  years  of  age,  and  was.  on  his  death 
bed  with  a  heaN'^-  fever.  We  tarried  with  them  two  weeks ; 
diu'ing  which  I  i^reaclied  in  the  City  Hall  at  Detroit,  and 
superintended    some  printing  and  publishing  matters. 

While  here  we  sold  our  horses  and  carriage,  and  at 
length  took  leave  of  our  Idndred  and  a  last  fareweU  of 
our  sick  father,  and  took  ])assage  on  a  steamboat  down 
Lake   Erie  to  Buffalo;   distance  three  hundred  miles. 


328      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Previous  to  our  departure  from  Detroit  brothers  O.  Pratt 
and  Clark  took  leave  of  us,  aud  passed  down  the  lake 
iuto   Ohio ;    intending  to  meet  us   again  at  New  York. 

After  landing  safe  in  Buffalo,  we  took  the  Erie  canal 
and  railroad  to  Albany — distance  three  hundred  and  fifty 
miles;  thence  to  New  York  by  steamer  down  the  Hudson 
river — distance  one  hundred  aud  fifty  miles.  Here  we  ar- 
rived in  safety  after  a  journey  of  about  one  thousand  four 
Inmdred  miles.  We  were  received  by  the  Saints  in  New 
York  almost  as  one  of  the  old  saints  risen  from  the  dead. 
I  had  been  absent  nearly  two  years,  during  which  time  I 
had  lain  eight  months  in  prison.  Brother  Adison  Everett, 
a  High  Priest  of  the  Church  in  that  city  and  one  of  the 
first  members  I  had  baptized  there,  related  to  me  that 
the  Church  in  that  city  were  assembled  in  prayer  for  me 
on  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  July  x)revious,  that  I  might 
be  delivered  from  prison  and  from  my  enemies  in  Missouri. 
When,  on  a  sudden,  the  spirit  of  prophecy  fell  on  him,  and 
he  arose  and  declared  to  the  Church  that  they  might  cease 
their  prayers  on  that  subject ;  "  For,"  said  he,  "  on  this 
moment  brother  Parley  goes  at  libertyP 

We  found  the  Church  in  New  York  strong  in  the  faith, 
and  rejoicing  in  the  truth.  They  had  become  numerous  in 
the  city  and  in  several  parts   of  the  country  around. 

In  this  city  I  resided  with  my  family  some  six  months, 
during  which  I  preached  most  of  the  time  in  the  city,  and 
also  superintended  the  printing  and  publishing  of  several 
of  our  books.  I  also  performed  occasional  missions  in  the 
country;  I  visited  Long  Island,  New  Jersey,  Philadelphia 
and  the  City  of  Washington.  In  this  latter  place  I  pub- 
lished an  address  in  a  printed  circular  to  each  member  of 
Congress,  and  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  his 
Cabinet,  setting  forth  our  principles  in  plainness,  and  bear- 
ing testimony  of  the  truth ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  our 
jietitions  for  redress  were  pending  before  them — President 
Joseph    Smith  and    others    having  visited  them  in  person, 


AUTOBIOGRAPHT  OF  PARLEY  P.  PEATT.      329 

witli  ail  earnest  appeal  for  investigation  and  redress  of  our 
grievances  in  Missouri.  In  Philadelphia  I  had  the  happi- 
ness of  once  more  meeting-  with  President  Smith,  and  of 
spending  several  days  with  him  and  others,  and  with  the 
Saints  in  that  city  and  vicinity. 

During  these  interviews  he  taught  me  many  great  and 
glorious  principles  concerning  God  and  the  heavenly  order 
of  eternit}'.  It  was  at  this  time  that  I  received  from  him 
the  first  idea  of  eternal  family  organization,  and  the  eter- 
nal union  of  the  sexes  in  those  inexpressibly  endearing 
relationships  which  none  but  the  highly  uitellectual,  the 
refined  and  pure  in  heart,  know  how  to  prize,  and  which 
are  at  the  very  foundation  of  ever>i:hing  worthy  to  be 
called  happiness. 

Till  then  I  had  learned  to  esteem  kindred  affections  and 
sympathies  as  appertaining  solely  to  this  transitory  state, 
as  something  from  which  the  heart  must  be  entirely  weaned, 
in  order  to  be  fitted  for  its  heavenly  state. 

It  was  Joseph  Smith  who  taught  me  how  to  prize  the 
endearing  relationships  of  father  and  mother,  husband  and 
wife ;  of  brother  and  sister,  son   and   daughter. 

It  was  from  him  that  I  learned  that  the  wife  of  my 
bosom  might  be  secured  to  me  for  time  and  aU  eternity; 
and  that  the  refined  sympathies  and  affections  which 
endeared  us  to  each  other  emanated  from  the  fountain  of 
divine  eternal  love.  It  was  from  him  that  I  learned  that 
we  might  cultivate  these  affections,  and  grow  and  increase 
in  the  same  to  all  eternity  ;  while  the  result  of  our  endless 
union  would  be  an  offspring  as  numerous  as  the  stars  of 
heaven,  or  the  sands  of  the  sea  shore. 

It  was  from  him  that  I  learned  the  true  dignity  and 
destiny  of  a  son  of  God,  clothed  with  an  eternal  priest- 
hood, as  the  patriarch  and  sovereign  of  his  coimtless  off- 
spring. It  was  from  him  that  I  learned  that  the  highest 
dignity  of  womanhood  was,  to  stand  as  a  queeu  and  priest- 
ess to  her  husband,  and  to  reign  for  ever  and  ever  as  the 


330      AUTOBIOGRA.PHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

queen    mother    of    her    numerous    and    still    increasing   off- 
spring. 

I  had  loved  before,  but  I  knew  not  why.  But  now  I 
loved — with  a  pureness — an  intensity  of  elevated,  exalted 
feeling,  which  would  lift  my  soul  from  the  transitory  things 
of  this  grovelUng  sphere  and  exi^and  it  as  the  ocean.  I 
felt  that  God  was  my  heavenly  Father  indeed;  that  Jesus 
was  my  brother,  and  that  the  wife  of  my  bosom  was  an 
immortal,  eternal  companion ;  a  kind  ministering  angel, 
given  to  me  as  a  comfort,  and  a  crown  of  glory  for  ever 
and  ever.  In  short,  I  could  now  love  with  the  spirit  and 
with  the  understanding  also. 

Yet,  at  that  time,  my  dearly  beloved  brother,  Joseph 
Smith,  had  barely  touched  a  single  key ;  had  merely  lifted 
a  corner  of  the  veil  and  given  me  a  single  glance  into 
eternity. 

While  visiting  with  brother  Joseph  in  Philadelphia,  a 
very  large  church  was  opened  for  him  to  preach  in,  and 
about  three  thousand  people  assembled  to  hear  him. 
Brother  Eigdon  spoke  first,  and  dwelt  on  the  Gospel,  illus- 
trating his  doctrine  by  the  Bible.  When  he  was  through, 
brother  Joseph  arose  like  a  lion  about  to  roar;  and  being 
full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  spoke  in  great  power,  bearing  tes- 
timony of  the  visions  he  had  seen,  the  ministering  of  angels 
which  he  had  enjoyed ;  and  how  he  had  found  the  plates 
of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  translated  them  by  the  gift 
and  power  of  God.  He  commenced  by  saying  :  "  If  nobody 
else  had  the  com^age  to  testify  of  so  glorious  a  message 
from  Heaven,  and  of  the  finding  of  so  glorious  a  record, 
he  felt  to  do  it  in  justice  to  the  people,  and  leave  the 
event  with  God." 

The  entire  congregation  were  astounded ;  electrified,  as  it 
were,  and  overwhelmed  with  the  sense  of  the  truth  and 
power  by  which  he  spoke,  and  the  wonders  which  he  related. 
A  lasting  impression  was  made;  many  souls  were  gathered 
into  the  fold.    And  I  bear  witness,  that  he,  by  his  faith- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      331 

fill  and  powerful  testiinouy,  cleared  Ms  garments  of  their 
blood.  Multitudes  were  baptized  in  Philadelphia  and  in 
the  regions  around ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  branches 
were  springing  up  in  Pennsylvania,  in  Jersey,  and  in 
various  duections. 

Among  the  Elders  who  were  instrumental  in  doing  a 
good  work  in  those  regions,  I  would  make  honorable  men- 
tion of  Benjamin  Winchester,  of  Philadelphia,  since  fallen 
from  the  faith;  and  Lorenzo  Barnes,  who  labored  and  did 
a  great  work  in  Chester  County,  Penn.,  and  afterwards 
laid  down  his  hfe   while  on   a  mission  in   England. 

Soon  after  my  arrival  in  Xew  York  City,  Elders  O. 
Pratt  and  Clark,  who  left  us  at  Detroit,  arrived,  ha\Tng" 
performed  a  mission  through  some  parts  of  Ohio  and 
New  York.  Elders  Tiuley,  John  Taylor,  and  Wilford  W. 
Woodruff,  had  also  arrived  from  the  West  on  their  way  to 
England. 

Brother  Clark  and  two  Elders  soon  sailed  for  Liver- 
pool. Brothers  Taylor,  Wootlruff,  and  Turley,  sailed  a  few 
weeks  afterwards.  Brother  O.  Pratt  labored  in  the 
country  around  New  York  with   good  success. 

Elders  Brigham  Young,  Heber  C.  KimbaU,  George  A. 
Smith,  and  R.  Hedlock,  also  arrived  in  New  York  City 
late  in  the  winter,  after  .  performing  a  long  and  important 
joiu'uey  and  mission  through  the  States  of  Illinois,  In- 
diana,  Ohio,   and  New  York. 

Finding  ourselves  together  once  more,  after  all  our  trials 
and  sufferings,  we  rejoiced  exceedingly  and  praised  God 
for  all  His  mercies  to  us.  During  the  few  days  that  we 
were  together  in  New  York  we  held  many  precious  meet- 
ings in  which  the  Saints  were  filled  with  joy,  and  the 
people  more  and  more  convinced  of  the  truth  of  our 
message.  Near  forty  persons  were  baptized  and  added  to 
the  Chiuch  in  that  city  during  the  few  days  of  our 
brethren's  stay  there. 

We  held  a  general  Conference,  in  the  "  Columbian  Hall," 


332      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

previous  to  oiir  departure,  in  which  the  following  song, 
composed  by  myself,  was  written  expressly  for  that  occar 
sion  and  sung  by  those  present : 

When   shall   we   all   meet   again  ? 
"When   shall  we  our  rest  obtain  ? 
When   our  pilgrimage  be  o'er — 
Parting   sighs  be  known   no   more  ? 
When   Mount   Zion   we   regain, 
There   may  we  all  meet  again. 

We   to   foreign   climes   repair  ; 
Truth,   the  message  which  we  bear ; 
Truth,  wliich  angels   oft   have  borne ; 
Truth   to   comfort   those   who   mourn. 
Truth   eternal   jvill   remain, 
On  it's  rock  we'll  meet  again. 

/  Now  the   bright  and  morning  star. 

/  Spreads   its   glorious   light  afar, 

Kindles  up   the  rising   dawn 
Of   that  bright  millennial  morn ; 
When   the   Saints   shall   rise   and   reign, 
Then  may   we  all  meet  again. 

When   the   sons   of  Israel   come, 
When   they   build   Jerusalem  ; 
When  the  house  of  God  is   reared, 
And   Messiah's  way   prepared  ; 
I  When  from   Heaven   he   comes   to    reign. 

In  the   clouds  we'll  meet  again. 

When  the   earth  is   cleansed  by  lire ; 
When  the   wicked's  hopes  expire  ; 
When  in   cold  oblivion's   shade, 
Proud   oppressors   all  are   laid ; 
Long   will  Zion's   Mount  remain. 
There   we   all  may   meet  again. 

On  the  9th  of  March,  1840,  we  embarked  on  board  the 
ship  "  Patrick  Henry,"  for  Liverpool,  England.  We  were 
accompanied  to  the  water  by  my  family,  and  by  scores  of 
the  congregation,  of  both  sexes.     We  bade    them  farewell 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT.      333 

amid  many  tears,  and  taking  a  little  boat  were  soon  on 
board  ship — which  lay  at  anchor  a  short  distance  from  the 
shore. 

From  there  we  conld  still  see  the  crowd  of  our  friends  on 
the  shore,  while  a  Avave  of  their  hats  and  handkerchiefs 
in  the  au-  bid  ns  a  last  adieu.  At  twelve  o'clock  we 
Avere  under  way,  being  towed  by  a  steamer  for  some 
distance  until  the  sails  were  all  unfurled  before  a  fair 
breeze.  The  steamer  now  bade  us  farewell  with  three 
cheers,  and  we  found  ourselves  fairly  under  way  on  the 
broad  expanse  of  ocean.  The  sun  was  soon  setting  be- 
hind a  distant  promontory,  which  looked  like  a  dark 
cloud  on  the  bosom  of  the  ocean  :  while  to  the  north  the 
distant  shores  of  Long  Island  were  still  in  view. 

Next  morning  we  found  oiu-selves  tossing  upon  a  rough 
sea  before  the  wind  with  no  land  in  sight.  AVe  had  a 
rough  passage  of  twenty-eight  days,  and  on  the  sixth  of 
April  landed  iu  Liverpool,  England.  Brother  Kimball  had 
been  there  before  ;  but  it  was  the  first  time  that  the  other 
brethren  and  myself  had  set  our  feet  on  the  shores  of 
the  old  world. 

We  soon  found  brother  Taylor,  who  had  raised  the 
standard  of  truth  in  Liverpool,  aud  had  already  bap- 
tized about  thirty.  From  him  we  learned  that  all  those 
who  had  sailed  before  us  had  arrived  in  safety,  and  had 
commenced  their  missions  in  various  parts  with  good 
success.  We  soon  called  a  general  Conference  in  Preston, 
where  we  were  enabled  to  rejoice  together  with  most  of 
our  brethren  in  the  ministry. 

Thus,  through  the  mercy  of  Grod,  we  have  been  en- 
abled to  fulfil  His  commands  thus  far,  and  have  accom- 
plished a  journey  of  five  thousand  miles  under  cii'cum- 
stances  which  would  have  discouraged  any  except  such  as 
were  upheld  by  the  arm  of  Jehovah. 

AVhen  we  take  into  consideration  the  persecution,  im- 
prisonment,   and    banishment,    together    with    the    robbing 


334     AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

and  pliiiidering  which  has  been  inflicted  upon  our  people  in 
the  West,  and  the  consequent  sickness,  poverty,  and  dis- 
tress to  which  ourselves,  families  and  friends  were  reduced, 
previous  to  oiu-  undertaking  this  mission — when  we  consider 
that  it  has  been  opposed  by  persecution,  sword,  flame, 
dungeons,  chains,  sickness,  hunger,  thirst,  poverty,  by 
death  and  hell,  by  men  and  devils,  and  all  the  combined 
I)owers  of  darkness — it  would  have  been  no  marvel,  if, 
like  Paul,  we  had  failed  to  accomplish  the  mission  at 
present,  and  had  addressed  an  epistle  to  the  Church  in 
England,  saying,  "  We  would  have  come  unto  you  once 
and  agam,   but   Satan  hindered  us." 

But  this  could  not  take  place  with  us,  as  it  did  with 
Paul,  because  our  mission  to  Europe  was  by  express  com- 
mand of  the  Almighty,  and  therefore  it  had  to  be  accom- 
plished in  spite  of  men  and  devils. 

One  might  suppose,  from  the  opposition  that  it  met 
with,  that  Satan  was  aware  that  if  once  accomplislied,  it 
would  result  in  the  ultimate  overthrow^  of  his  kingdom, 
and  the  enlargement  of  the  kingdom  of  God — which  may 
God  grant  for  Christ's  sake. 


CHAPTER     XXXVII. 

General  Conference  at  Preston,  England: — Publishing  Committee: — Editorial 
Appointment: — First  Number  of  the  "Millennial  Star"  Issued: — My  owTi 
Ministry  in  Manchester  and  Yieinity: — New  Hymn  Book: — Action  of  Con- 
gress on  the   Missouri    Tragedies. 

ON  the  loth  of  Aj)ril,  1840,  a  general  conference  was 
convened  in  the  "  Temperance  Hall,"  Preston,  Lanca- 
shire, in  which  thirty-three  branches  of  the  Church  were 
represented,  including  a  total  of  near  two  thousand  mem- 
bers. 

In  this  conference,  Elders  Brigham  Young,  Heber  C. 
Kimball  and  myself  were  appointed  a  publishing  committee 
for  the  Church.  I  was  also  appointed  editor  and  i)ub- 
lisher  of  a  monthly  perodical,  to  be  called  the  ^lillmnial 
Star. 

While  the  residue  of  the  committee  travelled  in  the  min- 
istry, I  repaired  to  ]\Ianchester  and  commenced  preparing 
to  fulfil  my  new  appointments. 

The  first  number  of  the    Star   was    issued   in   May.      The 
following    hymn    was    written    by  myself  exjiressly  for  the 
introduction  of  this  periodical,   and  originally  api)eared  on- 
its  cover  : 

The  morning  breaks,    tlie   shadows   flee; 

Lo !   Zion's  standard   is  unfurled ! 
The  dawning   of  a  brighter  day 

Majestic  rises   on  the   world. 
The  clouds   of  error  disappear 

Before  the   rays   of  truth  divine; 
The   glory,    bursting   from   alar. 

Wide   o'er  the   nations   soon   will  shine. 


336     AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

The  G-entile   fulness   now   comes  in, 

And  Israel's  blessings  are   at  hand ; 
Lo  1   Judah's  remnant,   cleans'd  from  sin, 

Shall  in  their  promised   Canaan   stand. 
Jehovah  speaks  1     Let  earth  give    ear, 

And   Gentile  nations  turn  and  live  I 
His  mighty  arm   is  making  bare, 

His  covenant  people  to  receive. 
Angels  from  heaven,  and  truth  from   earth 

Have   met,   and  both  have   record  borne; 
Thus  Zion's  hght  is  bursting    forth. 

To  bring   her  ransomed   children  home. 

While  engaged  in  editing  and  publishing  the  Star  I  also 
preached  the  gospel  continually  to  vast  congregations  in 
and  about  Manchester,  and  the  spirit  of  joy,  and  faith  and 
gladness  was  greatly  increased,  and  the  number  of  the 
Saints  was  multiplied.  I  also  assisted  my  brethren  in  se- 
lecting, comijiliug  and  i)ublishing  a  hymn  book.  In  this 
work  was  contained  near  fifty  of  my  original  hymns  and 
songs,  composed  exi^ressly  for  the  book,  and  most  of  them 
written  during  the  press  of  duties  which  then  crowded  upon 
me. 

In  the  third  number  of  the  8tar^  page  65,  is  published 
the  final  action  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  on 
the  subject  of  the  outrages  committed  by  the  State  of  Mis- 
souri, upon  the  Church  of  the  Saints.    It  reads  as  foUows : 

"TWENTY-SIXTH   CONGRESS,   FIRST   SESSION. 

"  In  Senate  of  the  United  States,  March  4,  1840.  Sub- 
mitted, laid  on  the  table,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

"  Mr.  Wall  made  the  following  report : 

"The  Committee  on  the  Judiciary,  to  whom  was  referred 
the  Memorial  of  a  Delegation  of  the  Latter-Day  Saints, 
report : 

"  The  petition  of  the  memoriaUsts  sets  forth,  in  sub- 
stance, that  a  portion  of  their  sect  commenced  a  settlement 
in  the  County  of  Jackson,  in  the  State  of  Missouri,  in  the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      337 

summer  of  1831 ;  that  they  bought  lauds,  built  houses, 
erected  churches  aud  established  then-  homes,  aud  engaged 
in  all  the  various  occupations  of  hfe;  that  they  were  ex- 
pelled from  that  county  in  1833  bj^  a  mob,  under  circum- 
stances of  great  outrage,  cruelty  and  oppression,  and  against 
all  law,  and  without  auy  offence  committed  ou  their 
part;  and  to  the  destruction  of  property  to  the  amount 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  dollars ;  that  the 
society  thus  expelled  amounted  to  about  twelve  thousand 
souls  5  that  no  compensation  was  ever  made  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  their  property  in  Jackson  County ;  that  after  their 
expulsion  from  Jackson,  they  settled  in  Clay  County,  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  Missouri  Eiver,  where  they  pur- 
chased lands,  and  entered  others  at  the  land  office,  where 
they  resided  peaceably  for  three  years,  engaged  in  culti- 
vation and  other  useful  and  active  employments,  when  the 
mob  again  threatened  their  peace,  lives  and  propei*ty,  and 
they  became  alarmed,  and  finally  made  a  treaty  with  the 
citizens  of  Clay  County,  that  they  should  purchase  their 
lands,  and  the  Saints  should  remove,  which  was  complied 
with  ou  their  part,  and  the  Saints  removed  to  the  County 
of  Caldwell,  where  they  took  up  their  abode,  and  re-estab- 
lished their  settlement,  not  "without  ha\ing  pecuniary  losses 
and  other  inconveniences ;  that  the  citizens  o^  Clay  County 
never  paid  them  for  their  lands,  except  for  a  small  part. 

"  They  remained  in  Caldwell  from  1836  until  the  fall  of 
1838;  and,  during  that  time,  had  acquired  by  purchase 
from  the  Government,  the  settlers  and  pre-emptionists, 
almost  all  the  lands  in  the  County  of  Caldwell,  and  a 
portion  of  the  lands  in  Davis  aud  Carroll  Counties — ^the 
former  county  being  almost  entirely  settled  by  the  Saints, 
and  they  were  rapidly  filling  up  the  two  latter  counties. 

"  Those  counties,  where  the  Saints  first  commenced  their 
settlements,  were  for  the  most  part  wild  and  uncultivated, 
and  they  had  converted  them  into  large  and  well  im- 
proved farms,  well  stocked. 

22 


338      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

"  Lands  had  risen  in  value  to  ten,  and  even  twenty 
five  dollars  per  acre;  and  those  counties  were  rapidly 
advanciug  in  cultivation   and  wealth. 

"  That  in  August,  1838,  a  riot  commenced,  growing  out 
of  an  attempt  of  a  Saint  to  vote,  which  resulted  in  creat- 
ing great  excitement,  and  the  perpetration  of  many  scenes 
of  lawless  outrage,  which  are  set  forth  in  the  petition. 
That  they  were  finally  compelled  to  fly  from  those  counties, 
and  on  the  11th  of  October,  1838,  they  sought  safetj'  by 
that  means,  with  their  families,  leaving  many  of  their 
effects  behind.  That  they  had  previously  applied  to  the 
constituted  authorities  of  Missouri  for  protection,  but  in 
vain. 

"  They  allege  that  they  were  pursued  by  the  mob,  that 
conflicts  ensued,  deaths  occiu-red  on  each  side;  and, 
finally,  a  force  was  organized  under  the  authority  of  the 
Governor  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  with  orders  to  drive 
the  Saints  from  the  State,  or  to  exterminate  them.  The 
Saints  thereupon  determined  to  make  no  further  resistance ; 
but  to  submit  themselves  to  the  authorities  of  the  State. 
Several  of  the  Saints  were  arrested  and  imi)risoned,  on  a 
charge  of  treason  against  the  State;  and  the  rest,  amount- 
ing to  about  fifteen  thousand  souls,  fled  into  other  States; 
principally  in  Illinois,  where  they  now  reside. 

"  The  petition  is  drawn  up  at  gTcat  length,  and  sets  forth 
with  feeling  and  eloquence  the  wrongs  of  which  they  com- 
plain; justifies  their  own  conduct,  and  aggravates  that 
of  those  whom  they  call  their  persecutors ;  and  concludes 
by  saying  that  they  see  no  redress,  unless  it  is  obtained 
of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  to  whom  they 
make  their  solemn,  last  appeal,  as  American  citizens,  as 
Christians,  and  as  men;  to  which  decision  they  say  they 
will  submit. 

"The  committee  have  examined  the  case  presente^l  by 
the  petition,  and  heard  the  ^iews  urged  by  their  agent 
with    care    and    attention ;     and,    after    full    consideration, 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAKLEY  P.  PRATT.      339 

unanimously  concur  in  the  opinion,  that  the  case  presented 
for  their  investigation,  is  not  such  a  one  as  will  justify 
or  authorize  any  interposition  by  this  Government. 

"  The  wrongs  complained  of  are  not  alleged  to  have  been 
committed  by  any  of  the  officers  of  the  United  States,  or 
under  the  authority  of  its  Government,  in  any  manner  what- 
ever. The  allegations  in  the  petition  relate  to  the  acts  of 
the  citizens,  and  inhabitants,  and  authorities  of  the  State  of 
Missouri,  of  which  State  the  petitioners  were,  at  the  time, 
citizens  or  inhabitants.  The  grievances  complained  of  in 
the  petition  are  alleged  to  have  been  done  within  the 
territory  of  the  State  of  Missouri.  The  committee,  under 
these  circumstances,  have  not  considered  themselves  justi- 
fied in  enquiring  into  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  the  facts 
charged  in  the  petition.  If  they  are  true,  the  petitioners 
must  seek -relief  in  the  courts  of  jutlicature  of  the  State 
of  Missouri;  or  of  the  United  States,  which  has  the  ap- 
propriate jurisdiction  to  administer  full  and  adequate 
redress,  for  the  wrongs  complained  of;  and,  doubtless, 
will  do  so  fairly  and  impartially ;  or  the  petitioners  may, 
if  they  see  i)roper,  apply  to  the  justice  and  magnanimity 
of  the  State  of  Missouri  j  an  appeal  which  the  commit- 
tee feel  justified  in  believing  will  never  be  made  in  vain 
by  the  injured  or  oppressed.  It  can  never  be  presumed 
that  a  State  either  wants  the  power,  or  lacks  the  dispo- 
sition, to  redress  the  wrongs  of  its  own  citizens,  com- 
mitted within  her  own  territory ;  whether  they  proceed 
from  the  lawless   acts  of  her  officers,  or  any  other  j^ersons. 

"  The  committee  therefore  report,  that  they  recommend 
the  passage  of   the  following  resolution : 

^''Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  the  Judiciary  be  dis- 
charged- from  the  further  consideration  of  the  memorial  in 
this  case  ;  and  that  the  memorialists  have  leave  to  with- 
draw the  papers   which  accompany  their  memorial." 

The  action  of    the  general   Government  on    this    momeu- 


340      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

tous  subject,  establishes  the  precetlent  that  there  is  no 
power  iu  the  Government  to  carry  out  the  principles  of  its 
own  Constitution.  Fifteen  thousand  citizens  of  the  United 
States  can  be  murdered,  robbed,  plundered,  driven  from 
their  lands,  or  disinherited,  while  the  Constitution  guaran- 
tees to  them  hberty  and  protection,  a)id  yet  there  is  iw 
poicer  to  protect  or  reinstate  them.  Congress  only  mocks 
them  by  referring  them  to  their  murderers  for  redress.  It 
seems  almost  superfluous  to  say  that  the  Saints  appealed 
to  a  higher  tribimal — even  the  throne  of  God,  where  the 
case  is  yet  pending ;  and  that  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  are  charged  with  being  accessory  to  these  highest 
crimes  known  to  the  laws  of  God  and  man.  They  hold  in 
fellowship  this  guilty  partner — Missouri — after  knowing  her  to 
be  a  wholesale  murderer  and  laud  pirate. 

As  the  case  is  yet  pending  before  the  court  of  Heaven, 
we  will  drop  the  subject  and  i^roce^d  with  our  own 
history. 


CHAPTER     XXXVIIT. 

General  Conference  at  Manchester  :  — Ordinations  and  Appointmems  : — Eeturn 
to  New  York  : — Meet  With  My  Family :  —Visit  to  the  State  of  Maine  ; — 
A  Dream  and  its  Fnlfihnent : — Embark  Again  for  England  : — Consequence 
of  Looking  Back  : — Safe  Arrival  in  England  : — Resume  the  Editorial 
Duties  ; — Reflections. 

ON  the  6th  of  July,  1840,  a  General  Conference  was 
convened  at  Manchester,  in  the  "  Carpenter's  Hall,"  a 
building  which  would  seat  near  five  thousand  people. 

There  were  present  of  the  Twelve  Apostles :  Brigham 
Young,  H.  C.  Kimball,  Wilford  W.  Woodruff,  John  Taylor, 
WUlard  Eichards,  George  A.  Smith,  and  myself.  Of  other 
officers :  High  Priests,  5 ;  Elders,  19  ;  Priests,  15  ;  Teach- 
ers,  11  •,   and  Deacons,   3. 

At  this  Conference  Parley  P.  Pratt  was  unanimously 
chosen  President ;   and  William  Clayton,  Clerk. 

Two  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty- seven  members 
were  represented,  including  254  officers. 

The  pubUshing  committee  liad  just  completed  the  new 
Hymn  Book,  which  was  presented  to  the  Conference,  and 
accepted  by  them  by  unanimous  vote. 

Three  persons  were  then  ordained  to  the  high  priesthood, 
viz.  :  Thomas  Kington,  Alfred  Cordon  and  Thomas  Smithy 
also  John  Albertson,  John  Blezord,  William  Berry  John 
Sanders,  John  Parkinson,  James  Worsley,  and  John  Allen 
were  ordained  Elders  ;  seven  indi\dduals  were  ordained  to 
the  lesser  priesthood. 

Many  Elders  were  also  selected  and  appointed  to  labor 
in  the  ministry  in  various  parts.      There  was  a  variety  of 


342  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

business  transacted,  and  much  instniction  given  by  Brigliam 
Young  and  others,  after  which.  Conference  was  adjourned 
to  the  6th   of  October,  at  the   same  place. 

During-  this  Conference  I  recei\'ed  a  letter  from  my  family 
in  New  York,  informing  me  that  they  were  dangerously  ill 
of  scarlet  fe^  er.  I,  therefore,  by  advice  of  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  quorum,  concluded  to  cross  the  ocean  once 
more  and  bring  them  to  England,  where  I  was  likely  to 
remain  for  several  years  rather  in  a  stationary  position  as 
an  editor  and  publisher.  I  accordingly  repaired  imme- 
diately to  Liverpool  and  embarked  for  Kew  York.  I  was 
thirty-seven  days  confined  on  this  dreary  passage,  without 
any  friends  or  associates  who  cared  for  me  or  the  cause 
of  truth. 

I  then  landed  in  New  York,  found  my  wife  and  children 
recovered  from  their  sickness,  for  which  I  felt  truly  thank- 
ful. They  were  agreeably  siu'iirised  at  seeing  me  so  soon 
and  so  unexpectedly,  and  so  were  the  Saints  in  that  city 
and  vicinity.  After  several  joyful  meetings  among  them,  I 
went  to  the  State  of  Maine  on  a  visit  with  my  wife  and 
children  to  her  parents  and  kindred.  They  lived  in  Bethel, 
Oxford  County,  about  sixty  miles  from  Portland,  the  seaport 
where  we  landed.  The  day  before  ou^r  arrival  my  ^vife's  sis- 
ter, a  Mrs.  Bean,  prophecied  to  her  husband  that  brother 
Pratt  and  family  would  arrive  there  the  next  evening,  and 
she  actually  changed  the  bedding  and  prepared  the  best 
room  for  our  reception,  as  if  she  had  received  noticfe  of  our 
coming.  At  this  lier  husband  and  Mends  laughed  in  deri- 
sion ;  "  for,"  said  they,  "  our  brother-in-law  is  ui  England 
and  his  family  in  New  York  ;  how,  then,  will  he  be  here 
to  night  f  But  she  still  persisted,  and  made  ready  the 
room  and  all  things  for  our  reception,  assuring  them  that 
I  would  arrive  that  night  with  my  family. 

Night  came,  the  deep  shades  of  evening  gathered  around, 
a  dark  and  gloomy  night  set  in,  and  still  no  signs  of  us. 
They  still  laughed   her   to    scorn  for   her    superstition,   and 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      343 

she  still  persisted  in  her  anticipations  of  onr  momentary 
arrival.  At  length,  as  they  were  about  to  retire  to  rest, 
we  knocked  at  the  door  and  were  joyfully  received — it 
being-  the  first  time  that  any  of  my  wife's  kindred  there 
had  seen  my  face. 

Mrs.  Bean  had  a  dream  a  few  days  pre'sdous  to  our 
arrival,  in  which  she  tlreamed  that  I  came  to  her  and 
gave  her  a  key  to  the  Bible.  As  she  related  the  dream 
to  me,  I  presented  her  with  my  "  Voice  of  WarningJ'^  It 
seemed  to  her  and  her  husband  as  they  read  it  as  if  it 
was  indeed  a  key  to  the  doctrine  and  prophecies  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures.  They  rejoiced  with  exceeding  joy,  and 
promised  to  be  baptized,  and  to  gather  to  Xauvoo  if  God 
would  only  open   their  way  to   sell   their  farm. 

My  father-in-law,  Aaron  Frost,  and  household,  and  all  our 
kindred  and  many  others  in  that  region,  received  me  with 
joy  and  hospitality,  and  I  preached  several  times  in  their 
churches. 

I  finally  took  leave  of  them  and  returned  to  i!few  York, 
accompanied  by  my  wife's  sister,  Olive  Frost,  a  young- 
lady  of  some  twenty  years  of  age,  who  accompanied  us  to 
England  to  help  us  in  the  family. 

We  soon  embarked,  and  after  a  long  and  tedious  pas- 
sage we  arrived  again  in  England  in  October,  184:0.  My 
family  then  consisted  of  my  wife  and  wife's  sister,  and  my 
wife's  daughter,  Mary  Ann  Stearns,  and  my  sons,  Parley 
and  Nathan. 

I  now  again  resumed  the  editorial  duties  in  Manchester, 
and  assisted  in  the  publishing  department  and  in  the  presi- 
dency of  the  Manchester  Conference,  and  the  general  Presi- 
dency of  the  work  in  that  country.  The  Star  had,  during 
my  absence,  been  edited  and  published  by  Elders  Young 
and  Eichards. 

My  brother-in-law,  Samuel  Bean,  soon  sold  out,  according 
to  his  desires,  and  started  with  liis  family  to  remove  to 
Nauvoo. 


344      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

He  arrived  in  Portland,  ready  to  embark,  when  he  heard 
some  lying  tales  about  the  "  Mormons,"  as  is  usual,  and 
being-  darkened  in  mind  he  turned  back  and  bought  a  farm 
in  Maine,  and  soon  afterwards  died  without  ever  obeying 
the  gospel  or  gathering  with  the  Saints.  His  wife  and 
children  were  left  as  a  widow  and  orphans  to  drag  out  a 
lonely  existence  on  a  farm  which  was  not  saleable,  and 
without  means  to  gather  with  the  Saints,  and  without  op- 
portunity to  obey  the  gospel — a  solemn  warning  to  all  per- 
sons not  to  delay  or  neglect  a  strict  and  punctual  obedience 
to  their  convictions. 

On  the  0th  of  October,  a  general  Conference  convened 
at  Manchester,    according  to    adjournment. 

I  had  hoped  to  land  from  America  in  time  to  attend  it, 
but  was  disappointed  by  contrary    winds. 

The  following  members  of  my  quorum  were  present,  viz : 
Brigham  Young,  Orson  Pratt,  W.  W.  Woodruff,  John  Taylor, 
Willard  Eichards,  H.  C.  Kimball  and  G.  A.  Smith  ;  other 
ofacers,  viz.  :  High  Priests,  5  ;  Elders,  19  ;  Priests,  28 ; 
Teachers,   4  ;   and  Deacons,  2. 

In  this  Conference,  Elder  Orson  Pratt  was  called  to  the 
chair,   and   Elder  George  Walker  chosen  clerk. 

A  general  representation  showed  a  great  increase  since  the 
July  Conference,  and  a  spread  of  the  work  into  many  parts. 

Many  ordinations  took  x)lace  ;  much  instruction  was 
given;    and  many  additional    missionaries  were  sent  out. 

In  a  few  days  after  this  Conference,  I  landed  in  safety 
with  my  family,  and  again  repaired  to  Manchester,  and 
resumed  the  editorial  duties  ;  and,  in  connection  with 
Elder  Young,   superintended  the  publishing  department. 

The  October  number  of  the  Star  contains  much  cheer- 
ing news  of  the  spread  of  the  work  in  various  parts  of 
the  United  States,  England,  Scotland  and  Isle  of  Man, 
and  an  interesting  account  of  Elder  Orson  Hyde's  ap- 
pointment on  a  mission  to  Jerusalem,  in  connection  with 
Elder  John  E.  Page. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


345 


May  the  Almighty  speed  liis  work,  and  bless  the  be- 
lievers with  signs  following,  and  with  grace  and  wisdom 
to  escape  all  the  judgments  which  await  the  wicked,  and 
to  stand  before  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man ;  for 
Christ's  sake.    Amen. 

Thus  closed  the  year  1840  with  us  and  oiu'  labors. 
An  eventfid  year  it  had  been  to  us,  and  to  the  Church 
of  the  Saints.  It  was  the  first  mission  of  the  Twelve 
modern  Apostles,  as  a  quorum,  to  a  foreign  country.  It 
had  been  undertaken  under  circumstances  which  would 
have  deterred  men  of  a  less  holy  and  sacred  calling-  and 
responsibilty.  It  had  overcome  chains  and  dungeons,  and 
gloomy  cells,  and  perils  of  robbers  and  of  death.  It  had 
triumphed  over  poverty  and  sickness,  and  perils  by  sea 
and  land.  And  it  had  triumphed  and  been  crowned  with 
a  success  unparalleled,  even  by  the  history  of  the  ancient 
Apostles. 

It  was  the  hand  of  God  that  performed  it,  and  to  his 
name  be  ascribed  honor  and  majesty,  and  power  and 
glory,   forever  and  ever.    Amen. 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

Visit  and  Ministry  in  Bolton  : — Conduct  of  two  Methodist  Priests  : — Arrest 
and  Trial: — Emigration: — General  Conference  at  Manchester: — Council 
of  the  Twelve  : — Charter  the  ship  "  Tyrean" : — "  Philosophy  of  the  Re- 
surrection":— Emigration  on  the  Ship  "Chaos": — Visit  to  the  Isle  of 
Man  : — Visit  to   Norwich  : — Mob. 

ON  the  19tli  of  January,  1841,  I  Adsited  Bolton  for  the 
first  time  ;  found  an  interesting  society  there  consist- 
ing of  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  members,  including 
some  small  branches  in  the  vicinity.  They  appeared  to 
be  dwelling  together  in  truth  and  love,  and  zealously 
united  in  the  cause  of  God  and  godliness.  Their  presi- 
ding officer  is  an  aged  miidster  by  the  name  of  Crooks, 
formerly  of  Stockport ;  through  whose  labors  the  society 
there  has  grown  from  a  small  handfull  to  its  present 
floiudshing  condition.  The  meetings  are  crowded  to  excess, 
and  scores  of  people  are  pressing  forward  and  uniting 
with  the  Church  by  repentance  and  baptism  The  Holy 
Ghost  is  poured  out  into  their  souls,  and  its  fruits  are 
manifested  in   their   gifts  and    blessings. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  the  20th,  I  attended  one  of 
their  meetings,  and  had  the  privilege  of  addressing  a  full 
and  attentive  audience.  The  subject  was  confined  to  a 
few  scriptural  observations,  in  which  the  iirecepts  and 
promises  of  Christ  were  clearly  set  forth,  as  contained  in 
the  written  word  of  the  New  Testament.  These  were 
contrasted  with  the  systems  of  Christianity  as  they  now 
exist,  and  the  difference  was  so  manifest  that  the 
people    saw    clearly    that    the   religion    of   Christ    was   one 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      347 

thing,  and  modern  sectarianism  another.  This  so  exasper- 
ated some  craftsmen  who  were  present,  ^^z. :  a  Mr.  James 
Pendlebnry,  professedly  a  Primitive  Methodist  preacher, 
and  ]\Ir.  Thomas  Balsham,  of  the  ISTew  Connection,  that 
they  conld  no  longer  hold  their  peace.  For  while  the 
sermon  was  proceeding,  the  said  Pendlebnry  arose  and  be- 
gan speaking  so  lond  that  the  speaker  paused  and  re- 
quested the  interruption  to  cease  ;  but  was  not  heeded, 
for  the  intruder  with  stentorian  voice  continued  to  cry 
out,  saying :  "  This  is  a  new  doctrine,  and  we  cannot  be- 
lieve it  without  miracles  ;  here  is  a  blindman,  heal  him  j 
— ^here  is  a  blind  man,  heal  him  !  You  have  preached  a 
new  doctrine — a  new  doctrine,  sir,  and  we  want  the 
proof — we  want  the  proof!''  By  this  time  the  house  was 
all  confusion,  everyone  endeavoring  to  act  as  moderater. 
We  endeavored  from  the  pulpit  to  command  silence,  and 
expressed  our  surprise  that  the  New  Testament  doctrine 
should  be  a  new  doctiine  ;  but  we  found  that  it  was  a 
new  doctrine  to  him,  as  was  manifest  in  his  behavior. 
Indeed,  the  doctrines  of  common  law  and  civilization  were 
to  him  equally  as  strange  and  new  as  the  doctrme  of 
Christ,  for  he  still  continued  to  disturb  the  meeting 
The  Saints  commenced  singing,  and  finally  closed  the  meet- 
ing. But  while  this  was  proceeding  the  riot  grew  more 
and  more  violent,  till  at  length  a  form  was  broken,  and 
some  other  damage  done.  While  the  civil  part  of  the 
people  were  retiring  fi'om  the  room  they  were  variously  in- 
sulted by  him  and  his  comrades,  some  -  crying  out,  "  He 
hath  a  devil,"  some  challenging  to  debate,  and  some  call- 
ing for  a  miracle.  At  length  a  poUceman  arrived  and 
took  this  bra^e  champion  into  custody,  and  his  associate, 
T.   Balsham. 

These  were  handcuffed,  marched  away,  and  finally  held 
to  bail.  Xext  morning  they  had  a  warrant  served  on 
them  for  a  breach  of  the  peace,  and  were  brought  be- 
fore James    Arrowsmith,  Esq.,    IVIayor,  and  five  magistrates. 


348      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Au  able  plea  was  made  by  attorney  John  Taylor,  Esq., 
and  a  laborious  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  prisoners  to 
justify  themselves  by  the  introduction  of  several  witnesses 
belonging  to  several  different  orders  of  Methodists,  whose 
testimony  was  more  calculated  to  throw  a  false  coloring 
over  our  doctrine  than  anything  else.  At  length  Pendle- 
bury  was  found  guilty  of  a  breach  of  the  peace,  had  to 
pay  for  the  form  and  make  good  the  damages  and  costs 
of  suit ;  and  was  bound  in  the  penal  sum  of  ten  pounds 
to  keep  the  peace    for  six  months. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  these  prompt  measures  wiU  put 
a  stop  to  similar  distiu-bances  in  our  public  worship,  and 
also  prove  a  warning  to  other  priests  not  to  turn  infidels 
against  the  doctrines  of  the  New  Testament,  and  then 
use  such  vile  measures  against  the    truth. 

Since  this  affair  we  have  heard  verbally  from  Bolton, 
that  many  are  embracing  the  truth  and  coming  to  the 
waters  of  baptism.  May  the  Lord  shed  forth  his  Spirit 
upon  the  people  of  Bolton,  and  cause  a  great  work  to  be 
done  among  them. 

During  February,  about  two  hundred  and  forty  of 
the  Saints  embarked  at  Liverpool  for  America,  intending  to 
settle  with  the  Saints    at  I^auvoo. 

An  editon  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  consiting  of  5,000 
copies,   was  issued  by  us  at  Liverpool    during  this    month. 

On  the  6th  of  April,  1841,  the  Council  of  the  Twelve  as- 
sembled at  Manchester,  in  the  Carpenter's  Hall,  for  the  first 
time  to  transact  business  as  a  quorum,  in  the  presence  of 
the  Church  in  a  foreign  land,  being  the  first  day  of  the 
twelfth  year  of  the  rise  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 
Latter  Day   Saints. 

Nine  of  the  quorum  were  present,  viz. :  Brigham  Young, 
Heber  C.  Kimball,  Orson  Hyde,  Parley  P.  Pratt,  Orson 
Pratt,  Wilford  W.  Woodruff,  Willard  Eichards,  John  Taylor, 
and  George  A.  Smith. 

President   Young    having   called   the  house  to   order   and 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  349 

organized  the  Conference,  then  opened  by  prayer.  Elder 
Thomas  Ward  was  then  chosen  Clerk.  The  President  then 
made  some  introductory  remarks  relative  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  tfee  Church  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  in  America ; 
in  reference  to  the  different  quorums  ;  in  their  respective 
orders  and   authorities  in  the  Church. 

The  representations  of  the  Churches  and  Conferences 
throughout  the  kingdom  were  then  called  for.  The  total 
numbers  of  which  were  as  follows  :  5,814  members  ;  13G 
Elders ;  303  Priests ;  169  Teachers ;  and  68  Deacons,  besides 
about  800  souls  who  had  emigrated  to  America  during  the 
year,  who  were  not  included  in   this  representation.      *     * 

Eleven  jjersons  were  chosen  and  ordained  to  the  High 
Priesthood  during  this  Conference,  and  twelve  persons  were 
ordained  Elders. 

Several  new  Conferences  were  also  organized,  and  Presi- 
dents were  apx)ointed  for  each  Conference  in  the  kingdom. 

The  names  of  the  several  Conferences,  with  their  respec- 
tive Presidents,  were  as  follows :  Manchester,  P.  P.  Pratt ; 
Edinburgh,  G.  D.  Watt ;  Liverpool,  J.  Greenhouse ;  London, 
Lorenzo  Snow ;  Macclesfield,  J.  Galley ;  Staffordshire,  A. 
Cordon ;  Birmingham,  J.  Kiley ;  Glasgow,  J.  McAuley ; 
Gadfield  Elm,  Thomas  Richardson ;  Preston,  P.  Melling ; 
Brampton,  J.  Sanders  ;  Garmay,  Levi  Eichards  ;  Clitheroe, 
Thomas  Ward ;   Froomes  Hill,   WUliam  Kay. 

The  business  of  the  Conference  being  accomplished,  sev- 
eral appropriate  discourses  were  delivered  by  different  mem- 
bers of  the  quorum  in  relation  to  the  duties  of  the  officers 
in  their  respective  callings,  and  in  relation  to  the  duties 
and  privileges  of  the  members,  also  on  the  prosperity  of  the 
work  in  general.  ****** 

Elders  Young  and  Miller  then  sung  the  hymn,  "  Adieu, 
my  dear  brethren,"  etc.,  and  President  Young  blessed  the 
congregation  and  dismissed  them. 

This  Conference  closed  the  mission  of  the  Twelve  for  the 
present  in  England,   and  as  they  were  about  to  take  their 


350       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

departure  for  America,  all  save  myself,  au  epistle  was  ad- 
dressed by  them  to  the  Saiuts  in  the  British  Isles.  It  was 
written  by  my  own  hand,  under  the  direction  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  quorum,  and  signed  by  each  of  the  iiine  mem- 
bers present  in  that  country.  It  was  dated  at  Manchester, 
April  15,  1841.* 

In  the  month  of  Sept.,  1841,  brother  Amos  Fielding  and 
myself  chartered  a  large  new  ship  called  the  '^  Tyrean," 
Cai^tain  Jackson,  master,  for  Xew  Orleans.  On  which  Ave 
sent  two  hundred  and  seven  passengers  of  our  Society 
bound  for  Xauvoo. 

Our  chartered  ship,  the  •'  Tyrean,"  sailed  with  two  hundred 
and  seven  passengers  on  the  morning  of  the  21st  of  Sep- 
tember. On  going  out  of  the  dock  the  previous  day,  many 
hundreds  crowded  around  to  witness  a  shij)  load  of  the 
sons  and  daughters  of  Ziou  depart  from  tlieii"  native  shore 
for  the  promised  land.  They  moved  slowly  out  into  the 
river,  singing : 

■■  Lovely  native  land,  farewell ! 
•  G-lad  I  leave  thee — Glad  I  leave  thee — 

Far  in  distant  lands  to  dwell." 

Next  morning  thej'  weighed  anchor  about  ten  o'clock, 
and  hoisted  sail  before  a  fair  wind ;  moving  away  under 
the  flag  of  liberty — the  American   Stars  and   Stripes. 

The  emigrants  were  all  on  deck,  and  in  good  spirits; 
and  as  our  little  boat  came  off  with  three  hearty  cheers, 
they  were   singing  the  favorite  hymn: 

"  How  firm  a  foundation,  ye  Saints  of  the  Lord, 
Is  laid  for  your  faith  in  His  excellent  word!" 

The  last  lines  which  we  heard,  as  their  voices  were  lost 
in  the  distance,  were  as  follows : 

"  "When  through  the  deep  waters  I  call  thee  to  go, 
The  rivers  of  sorrow  shall  not  thee  o"erflow." 

Hats   and    handkerchiefs   were   still    waving  in   xievr  as  a 

*  Sec  Milleimial  Star,  April,  1841. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       351 

last  tokeu  of  farewell.  Soon  all  was  a  dim  speck  upon 
the  ocean;  a  few  moments  more  and  they  vanished  from 
view  in  the  wide  expanse  and  lost  in  the  distance.  May 
God  speed  them  onward  in  their  course,  and  land  them 
safely  in  their  destined  port. 

The  Star  for  October,  1841,  contains  several  other  com- 
munications of  interest;  giving  cheering  accounts  of  the 
spread  of  the  work  in  vaiious  places,  but  we  wtU  not 
record  them  here. 

The  l^ovember  number  opens  with  an  editorial  on  "The 
Philosophy  of  the  Eesurrection,"  from  which  we  extract  the 
following : 

The  mysterious  works  of  God  in  the  formation,  pro- 
gress, changes,  and  final  destiny  of  creation,  are  all  won- 
derful and  miraculous  in  one  sense.  The  formation  of  the 
natural  body  in  embryo,  or  even  of  a  plant  or  flower,  is 
as  much  a  miracle  as  the  creation  or  reorganization  of  a 
world  or  the  resurrection  of  the  body.  Each  effect  has  its 
cause,  and  each  cause  its  effect;  and  the  light,  spirit  or 
truth  which  proceeds  from  Deity  is  the  law  of  life  and 
motion ;  the  great  governuig  principle  of  the  whole  ma- 
chinery of  the  universe,  whether  natural  or  spiritual,  tem- 
j)oral  or  eternal.  It  is  the  cause  of  causes ;  the  main 
spring  of  nature's  time  jiiece.  By  it  we  live;  in  it  we 
move  and  have  a  being. 

Let  man  be  placed  upon  a  lofty  eminence  surrounded 
with  the  original  elements  of  uncreated  worlds;  let  him 
contemplate  the  confused  and  chaotic  mass  of  unorganized 
existence ;  let  him  hear  the  voice  of  truth  and  power  as 
its  first  sentence  rolls  in  majesty  of  wisdom  from  the 
lips  of  Deity ;  let  him  behold  the  first  movement  of  chaos 
as  its  begins  to  come  to  order. 

Let  him  contemplate  its  various  workings  till  the  heav- 
ens and  earth,  and  man  and  beast,  and  plant  and  flower 
startle  into  conscious  being  in  all  the  beauty  of  joyous 
existence ;  let  him  observe  every  minute  particular  of  its  pro- 


352      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

gress  through  time  in  all  its  various  changes;  let  him  con- 
template the  changing  seasons  as  they  roll  in  hours  and 
days,  and  months,  and  years ;  let  his  thoughts  reach  to  the 
starry  heavens  and  view  them  in  all  their  motions  and  revo- 
lutions :  the  sun  in  its  daUy  course ;  the  planets  in  their  an- 
nual revolutions;  the  blazing  comet  as  it  moves  afar  in  the 
wilds  of  ether,  and  returns  from  its  journey  of  a  hundred 
or  a  thousand  years ;  let  him  return  to  earth  and  view  the 
vegetable  kingdom  as  it  blooms  and  rii^eus,  and  falls  again 
to  decay  in  the  revolving  seasons  :  the  time-worn  oak  of 
a  thousand  years,  as  it  braves  the  tempest,  or  the  modest 
flower  whose  life  is  but  a  day;  let  him  view  the  animal 
creation  in  all  its  variety,  as  it  appears  and  passes  in  turn 
from  the  stage  of  action;  let  him  contemplate  man  from 
his  infant  formation  through  all  the  changes  of  his  various 
life  tOl  he  returns  to  dust;  let  him  view  the  laborious 
revolutions  of  the  groaning  earth  and  its  various  inhabit- 
ants through  all  their  temporal  career,  till  wearied  nature 
sinks  to  rest,  and,  worn  by  slowly  rolling  years,  the 
earth  itself  shall  die;  and  lastly,  let  him  contemplate 
all  nature  regenerated,  renewed,  and  starting  into  being, 
while  death  itself  shall  conquered  be  and  immortality  alone 
endure. 

The  vision  ended.    Man !    what  hast  thou  seen  ? 

Nothing  out  of  the  ordinary  course  ;  all  I  beheld  was 
nature  moving  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  law  of  its  ex- 
istance  ;  not  one  single  deviation  or  shadow  of  turning  from 
the  immutable  laws  of  truth. 

But  hast  thou  seen  no  miracle  ? 

Yes,  it  was  all  miraculous  ;  it  was  all  achieved  by  the 
law  of  light,  which  was  the  immediate  power  of  God  ;  but 
it  was  all  upon  the  most  natural,  easy,  sinijjle  and  plain 
principles  of  nature  in  its  varied  order,  and  which  to  call 
the  most  miraculous  I  know  not,  whether  it  was  the  cre- 
ation of  a  world,  the  blossoming  of  a  flower,  the  hatching 
of   a    butterfly,  or    the  resuirection  of    the  body,  and  the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      353 

making  of  uew  heavens  and  a  new  earth.    All  these  were 
so  many  displays  of  the  power  of  God. 
All  these  were  miraculous. 

All  these  were  natural. 

All  these  were  si)iritual. 

All  these  were  adapted  to  the  simplest  capacity,  aided  by 
the  Spii'it  of  God.  All  these  were  too  sublime  for  au  arch- 
angel to  comprehend  by  his  own  capacity,  without  the 
spirit  of  revelation. 

On  Sunday,  October  17,  1841,  the  Manchester  Conference 
convened  at  the  Carpenter's  Hall.  Twelve  branches  were 
represented,  consisting  of  one  thousand,  live  hundred  and 
eighty-one  members,  with  ajipropriate  officers.  Many  were 
called  to  the  ministry,  and  ordained  to  their  respective 
offices.  Instructions  were  given  in  relation  to  the  duties 
of  the  officers,  members,  etc.,  and  they  were  particularly  ex- 
horted to  abstain  from  intoxicating  drinks,  together  with 
tobacco,  snuff  and  all  other  evil  habits. 

After  the  ordinations,  the  Saints  present  partook  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  and  sung  and  rejoiced  together.  Several 
interesting  and  useful  addresses  were  delivered  at  evening, 
and  the  meeting  concluded  with  a  spirit  of  joy  and  satis- 
factiou.  The  number  of  officers  present  at  this  conference 
was  about  one  hundred,  and  members  not  far  from  one 
thousand. 

Some  hundreds  had  emigrated  from  this  conference,  and 
still  it  numbered  near  one  thousand,  live  hundred  members, 
all  of  whom  had  been  gathered  in  about  two  years,  and 
that  from  an  obscure  beginning  in  a  small  basement  in 
Oldham  Eoad,  beiug  the  first  place  where  the  fulness  of 
the  gospel  was  preached  within  the  bounds  of  what  now 
comprises  the  Manchester  Conference. 

On  the  8th  of  November  we  sent  out  the  ship  "  Chaos," 
with  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  passengers  of  the 
Saints. 

Cheertulness    and    satisfaction    seemed    to  pervade  every 

23 


354      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

heart  as  they  bid  farewell  to  their  native  shores,  and  set 
sad  for  the  land  of  ijromise. 

Several  interesting  communications  were  received  during 
the  month  of  November,  from  various  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, the  purport  of  which  was  that  the  sick  were  healed, 
the  lame  walked,  the  old  men  dreamed  dreams,  the 
young  men  saw  visions,  and  the  Lord's  servants  and 
handmaidens  spake  iu  tongues  and  prophecied,  while  the 
Lord  was  showing  wonders  in  heaven  above,  and  signs  in 
the  earth  beneath — blood,  fire  and  vapor  of  smoke. 

In  the  meantime,  the  wicked  rage,  and  the  people  im- 
agine a  vain  thing;  the  priests  take  council  together  against 
the  Lord  and  against  His  anointed  ones.  The  most  artful 
falsehoods  ever  inspired  by  Satan  continue  to  flood  the 
country,  both  from  the  press  and  pulpit,  and  reiterated  by 
those  who  profess  to  be  followers  of  Jesus.  We  went  on 
a  short  mission  to  the  Isle  of  Man  of  late,  and  after 
preaching  to  vast  multitudes  the  plain  truth  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, they  would  mock  and  make  light  of  the  Bible,  and 
everything  quoted  from  it. 

The  priests  too  were  busy  in  church  and  chapel,  in 
lying  against  the  Saints,  and  i^erverting  the  written  Word, 
and  thus  inspiring  the  people  with  Adolence,  hatred  and 
every  cruel  work  ,•  yet  we  found  the  Saints  rejoicing  in 
the  truth,  and  the  honest  in  heart  disposed  to  inquire 
into  it. 

We  have  just  returned  from  a  visit  to  Middle wich  and 
Norwich.  In  the  former  place  we  had  a  very  candid 
hearing  in  the  magistrate's  room,  which  was  filled.  In  the 
latter  place  many  hundreds  of  people  assembled  at  our 
meeting  house,  among  which  were  a  large  number  of 
"Association  Methodists"  and  other  professors,  with  one 
Thompson  at  their  head,  who  came  possessed  of  the  devil 
to  make  disturbance.  These  made  all  manner  of  noises, 
such  as  whooping,  shouting,  laughing,  whistling,  mocking, 
etc.      They    openly   hissed    and  mocked  the  written  Word 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


355 


of  Jesus  Christ  and  his  Vpostles,  and  made  such  a  noise 
as  to  finally  break  vq}  the  meeting  ;  after  which  they  be- 
gan to  rush  among  the  people,  and  to  bellow  like  bulls, 
and  to  run  ov6r,  and  knock  down,  and  trample  under  foot 
all  who  came  in  their  way.  We  naiTowly  escaped,  but 
finally  got  out  of  their  midst.  Mr.  Thompson  then  ad- 
dressed them,  justifying  and  applauding  their  conduct. 
The  lights  were  at  length  extinguished,  and  the  room 
cleared,  but  not  until  some  persons  were  wounded,  and 
some  forms  broken. 


CHAPTEE     XL. 

Notice  for  a  General  Conference  :-Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Elder  Orson  Hyde         | 
in  Jerusalem  :— Extracts  from  my  Farewell  Address.* 

THE  following  appointment  for  a  General  Conference  for 
the  British  Isles  appeared  in  the  March  number  of  the 
Star  : 

«  The  several  Conferences  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter  Day  Saints,  in  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Brit- 
ain, are  hereby  informed  that  a  General  Conference  will  be 
held  in  Manchester,  to  commence  on  Sunday,  the  15th 
day  of  May  next,  and  to  continue  for  several  days,  or 
until  all  the  business  is  completed. 

"  Each  Conference  is  requested  to  appoint  one  or  more 
delegates  to  represent  them  in  the  General  Conference,  and 
to  assist  in  such  business  as  may  be  necessary  for  the 
general  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the  cause  of  truth.  It  is 
very  desirable  that  a  fiJl  representation  should  be  made 
of  all  the  Conferences,  branches,  and  members  of  this  reahn. 

"  P.  P   Pratt,  President. 
"  Thomas  Ward,  Oterfc." 

In  the  Star  for  March,  1842,  the  following  e<iitorial  in- 
troduces an  extract  of  a  letter  from  Elder  Hyde  in  Jeru- 
salem : 

"  We  have  lately  received  two  lengthy  and  highly  in- 
teresting letters  from  Elder  Orson  Hyde,  dated  at  Trieste, 
January  1  and  18,  containing  a  sketch  of  his  voyages  and 

♦  See  MiUennial  Star,  October,  1842. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      357 

travels  in  the  East ;  his  visit  to  Jerusalem  ;  a  description 
of  ancient  Zion ;  the  Pool  of  SUoam,  and  many  other 
places  famous  in  Holy  Writ ;  with  several  illustrations  of 
the  manners  and  customs  of  the  East  as  applicable  to 
Scrijitm  e  texts ;  and  several  conversations  held  between  him- 
self and  some  of  the  Jewish  missionaries,  etc.,  in  Jerusa- 
lem ;  together  with  a  masterly  description  of  a  terrible 
tempest  and  thunder  storm  at  sea,  with  a  variety  of  mis- 
cellaneous reflections  and  remarks,  all  written  m  an  easy, 
elegant  and  masterly  style  ;  partaking  of  the  eloquent  and 
sublime,  and  breathing  a  tone  of  that  deep  feeling,  ten- 
derness and  affection  so  characteristic  of  his  mission  and 
the  spirit  of  his  holy  and  sacred  office. 

"  Elder  Hyde  has,  by  the  grace  of  God,  been  the  first 
proclaimer  of  the  fulness  of  the  gospel  both  on  the  Con- 
tinent and  in  far  off  Asia,  among  the  nations  of  the  East. 
In  Germany,  Turkey,  Egypt  and  Jerusalem  he  has  reared, 
as  it  were,  the  ensign  of  the  Latter-Day  glory,  and  sounded 
the  trump  of  truth  ;  caDing  upon  the  i^eople  of  those  regions 
to  awake  from  their  thousand  years  slumber  and  to  make 
ready  for  their  returning  Lord. 

"■  In  his  travels  he  has  suffered  much,  and  has  been 
exposed  to  toUs  and  dangers ;  to  hunger,  pestilence  and 
war.  He  has  been  in  perils  by  land  and  sea,  in  perils 
among  robbers,  in  perils  among  heathens,  Turks,  Arabs  and 
Egyptians  j  but  out  of  all  these  things  the  Lord  has  deli- 
vered him,  and  has  restored  him  in  safety  to  the  shores 
of  Europe,  where  he  is  tarrying  for  a  little  season  for  the 
piu'pose  of  publishing  the  truth  in  the  German  lang-uage — 
having  already  jiublished  it  in  French  and  English  in  the 
various  countries  of  the  East.  And  we  humbly  trust  that 
his  labors  will  be  a  lasting  blessing  to  Jew  and  Gentile." 

Being  about  to  return  to  America,  I  published  in  the 
October  number  of  the  Star^  1842,  my  Farewell  Address, 
from  which  I  here  give  a  few  extracts  : 


358  AUTOBIOGKAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

FAREWELL     ADDRESS     TO     OUR     READERS     AND     PATRONS. 

Brethren  and  Friends  : — As  I  am  about  to  take  leave  of 
the  Star,  and  give  it  to  the  management  of  others,  I 
feel  it  necessary  to  make  a  few  remarks  suited  to  the 
occasion. 

This  imblication  was  undertaken  two  years  and  six 
months  since.  Since  that  time  I  have  labored  diligently, 
as  far  as  a  pressure  of  other  duties  would  admit,  to 
render  it  a  useful  and  interesting  i^eriodical.  I  have  pub- 
lished the  principles  of  the  Latter-Day  Saints,  together 
with  a  choice  selection  of  the  most  interesting  items  of 
news  in  relation  to  the  progress  of  these  principles  among 
men. 

I  have  also  endeavored  at  all  times  to  defend  the  cause 
of  truth,  and  to  ward  oif  the  arrows  of  envy  and  slander 
which  have  been  hurled  at  the  children  of  light  by  the 
strong  arm  of  thousands  who  speak  evU  of  things  they 
understand  not. 

I  feel  great  satisfaction  in  a  review  of  my  editorial 
course  ;  I  feel  my  conscience  clear,  and  a  secret  whisper- 
ing within,  that  I  have  done  my  dutj*  faithfully  before 
God. 

I  also  feel  to  rejoice  in  the  success  which  has  attended 
the  efforts  of  the  servants  of  God  in  this  country  in  the 
ljublication  of  truth.  At  the  commencement  of  the  Star, 
the  Saints  in  Europe  numbered  less  than  two  thousand, 
they  now  number  near  ten  thousand,  besides  thousands 
who  have  emigrated  to  a  distant  land.  This,  surely,  is 
a  great  triumph  of  the  truth,  when  we  take  into  consid- 
eration the  prejudice  and  opposition  which  we  have  had 
to  encounter.  Surely  the  Star  has  stood  forth  as  a 
beacon  on  a  hill,  as  a  lonely  lamp  amid  surrounding- 
darkness,  to  light  the  weary  pilgrim  on  his  toilsome  jour- 
ney, and  to  kindle  up  the  dawn  of  a  day  of  glory  when 
the    effulgent    beams    of    the    sun    of    righteousness    shall 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      359 

shine  forth  as  the  moruing,  aud  dispel  the  misty  vapors 
which,  like  a  gloomy  cloud,  have  for  ages  hovered  over 
the  pathway  of  mortals. 

Bear  Brethren  ami  Sisters — Though  I  now  take  leave  of 
the  editorial  department,  and  withdraw  from  the  shores  of 
Eui'ope,  yet  I  have  the  satisfaction  of  leaving  the  Star 
to  shine  among  you  in  its  full  glory,  being  conducted  by 
one  who  has  a  willing  heart  and  a  ready  pen,  and  one 
who,  I  hope,  will  be  so  aided  by  his  patrons  and  by 
Divine  favor  as  to  be  able  to  conduct  it  with  efi'ect,  till 
its  feeble  rays  shall  be  lost  amid  the  effulgence  of  the 
rising  morn. 

I  now  return  my  sincere  thanks  to  all  our  agents  and 
patrons,  and  to  all  who  have  in  any  way  contributed  to 
our  assistance  in  this  great  and  good  work  ;  and  I  pray 
that  the  blessings  of  God  may  rest  upon  them  and  upon 
the  thousands  who  may  hereafter  peruse  this  work. 

I  must  now  take  leave  of  you  for  a  season,  as  duty 
calls  me  home.  I  have  labored  among  you  in  the  min- 
istry between  two  and  three  years,  aud  for  the  last  eigh- 
teen months  (since  the  dej)arture  of  the  rest  of  the  Twelve) 
I  have  had  the  more  particular  Presidency  of  the  Church 
in  Europe,  and  as  one  of  old  said,  "  in  some  measure 
the  care  of  all  the   churches." 

In  this  highly  responsible  trust  1  have  endeavored  so 
to  serve  you  in  all  things,  both  tem^Doral  and  spiritual, 
and  to  go  in  and  out  among  you  in  the  fear  of  God,  exer- 
cising judgment,  mercy,  and  charity  according  to  the  ability 
which  God  has  given  me.  I  have  endeavored  to  teach 
the  ignorant,  to  reclaim  the  transgressor,  and  to  warn  the 
wicked ;  to  comfort  the  feeble-minded,  to  bind  up  the 
broken-hearted,   and  to  administer  to  the  poor. 

I  recommend  and  appoint  Elder  Thomas  Ward  as  my  suc- 
cessor in  the  office  of  the  General  Presidency  of  the  Church 
in  Europe,  in  connection  with  Elders  Lorenzo  Snow  and 
Hiram    Clark.      To  these    persons  I  commit    the   care   and 


360 


AITTOBIOGEAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 


government  of  the  Church  in  this  country  for  the  pres- 
ent, trusting  that  they  will  conduct  and  counsel  in  aU 
things  according  to  the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  and  according 
to  the  counsel  which  shall  he  given  them  from  Nauvoo, 
from  time  to  time,  by  the  quorum  of  the  Twelve,  or  the 
first  Presidency. 

On  taking  leave  of  you  for  a  season  I  take  this  op- 
portunity to  assure  you  before  God,  to  whom  we  are  all 
accountable,  tliat  the  fulness  of  tJie  gospel  is  true,  that  tlie 
Book  of  Mormon  is  true,  and  that  the  everlasting  covenant 
is    true,   and  tcill    stand    when    heaven    and    earth    shall  pass 


V 


away. 


I  now  take  a  pleasing  farewell  of  the  Saints,  with  a  firm 
conviction  that  I  liave  labored  diligently  and  done  my 
duty  thus  far,  and  I  have  nothing  to  regret  but  my  own 
weaknesses  and  imperfections,  which  I  trust  you  will  all 
be  willing  to  forgive,   and  that  God  will  forgive  also. 

Please  remember  me  in  your  prayers,  and  may  the 
Lord  Almighty  bless  you  all,  and  preserve  us  faithful  to 
the  end,  that  we  may  meet  again  with  joy.     Amen. 


CHAPTER     XLI. 

Vessels  Chartered  : — Emigration : — Sail  for  Xew  Orleans  on  the  "  Emerald  " : — 
Passage: — Land  in  Xew  Orleans: — Charter  of  a  Steamer: — Historical 
Letter: — Journey  and  Arrival  at  Nauvoo: — Mission  with  Joseph  Smith: — 
Visit  to  Chester. 

"OETWEEIST  the  middle  of  September  and  my  owii  em- 
-L-'  barkatioii  in  October,  1  chartered  three  A'essels  for 
aS^ew  Orleans,  and  filled  them  with  the  emigrating  Saints, 
viz. : 

The  "  Sidney,"  with  one  hundred  and  eighty  souls ;  the 
"  Medford,"  with  two  hundred  and  fourteen  souls ;  and  the 
"  Henry,"  with   one  hundred  and  fifty-seven. 

I  next  chartered  the  "Emerald,"  on  which  I  placed  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  passengers,  including  myself  and 
family. 

Having  finished  my  present  mission  in  England  and  taken 
an  affectionate  leave  of  the  Saints  and  friends  there,  I 
embarked  on  the  "  Emerald,"  and  sailed  on  the  29th  of 
October.  We  had  a  tedious  passage  of  ten  weeks,  and 
some  difficulties,  murmurings  and  rebellions ;  but  the  Saints 
on  board  were  called  together,  and  chastened  and  reproved 
sharply,  which  brought  them  to  repentance.  We  then  hum- 
bled ourselves  and  called  on  the  Lord,  and  he  sent  a  fair 
wind,  and  brought  us  into  port  in  time  to  save  us  from 
starvation. 

We  landed  in  New  Orleans  early  in  January,  1843.  Here 
I  chartered  a  steamer  called  the  "  Goddess  of  Liberty," 
and  took  passage  with  the  company  for  St.  Louis.  Eun- 
ning    np  the  river    for  about    a  week,   I    landed   with    my 


362      AUTOBIOGBAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

fiamily  iu  Chester,  Ulinois — eighty  miles  below  St.  Louis. 
The  company  continued  on  to  St.  Louis.  My  reason  for 
landing  here  -vras,  that  I  -would  not  venture  into  Missouri 
after  the  abuses  I  had  experienced  there  in  former  times. 
Here  I  wrote  the  following  historical  letter,  which  aj)- 
peared  in  the  Star  of  April  1,   1843. 

Chester,  State  of  Illinois,  ) 
January  21,  1843.  f 

Dear  Brother  Ward — I  take  this  opi)ortunitj^  of  com- 
municating a  few  items  of  news  which  may  be  of  use  to 
your  readers.  I  arrived  here  two  weeks  stuce  with  my 
family.  We  are  all  well,  except  my  eldest  daughter, 
Olivia,  who  has  the  whooping  cough.  We  are  living  here 
a  few  weeks,  waiting  for  the  river  to  open  for  Kauvoo. 
We  are  comfortably  situated,  a  few  yards  from  the  laud- 
ing, in  a  stone  house  hi  a  smaU  vUlage,  eighty-  miles  below 
St.  Louis,  and  three  hundred  from  Kauvoo.  Provisions  are 
cheaper  than  ever ;  Indian  corn  is  20  cents  per  bushel ; 
wheat,  40  cents ;  flour,  3^  doUars  per  barrel ;  oats,  15  cents 
per  bushel ;  pork  and  beef,  from  2  to  3  cents  per  lb. ; 
butter,  10  cents  ;  sugar,  5  cents ;  chickens,  8  cents  each. 
Cows,  from  8  to  10  and  12  doUars  per  head  ;  good  horses, 
from  25  to  50  dollars  ;   land,  from  1^  to  4  dollars  per  acre. 

We  were  ten  weeks  on  the  "  Emerald,"  and  one  in 
coming  up  the  river.  The  weather  was  very  tine  until  the 
day  before  we  landed,  when  it  became  extremely  cold  and 
snowy ;  but  after  a  week  of  severe  weather,  it  became  sud- 
denly warm  and  jjleasant,  and  it  remains  so  yet — aU  ice 
and  snow  have  disappeared,  and  the  weather  is  like  May. 

I  have  not  heard  from  Xauvoo,  except  by  the  public 
prints.  From  these  I  learn  that  brother  Joseph  Smith  gave 
himself  up  to  the  authorities  of  Illinois,  agreeably  to  the 
Governor's  writ  of  last  fall  to  attempt  to  deliver  him  to 
the  State  of  Missouri.  He  was  brought  by  habeas  corpus 
before  the  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States, 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      363 

and  after  a  trial  at  Spriii^eld,  the  seiit  of  Government 
for  IHinois,  lie  was  honorably  discharged — the  Judge  decid- 
ing that  he  must  not  be  delivered  to  the  Missouri  authori- 
ties, according  to  the  demand  of  the  Governors  of  the  two 
States.  Thus,  one  more  maUcious  lawsuit  has  termuiated 
in  which  the  riders  have  been  disapi)ointed  and  blood- 
thirsty men  have  lost  their  i)rey — the  i)rophet  of  the  Lord 
having  foimd  protection  under  the  wings  of  the  eagle. 

Brother  William  Smith,  Joseph's  brother,  is  a  member 
of  the  Legislature  of  Illmois,  which  is  now  in  session. 
They  have  introduced  two  bills  for  the  puri)ose  of  taking 
away  all  our  Itfauvoo  charters,  but  they  have  both  been 
lost  without  becoming  a  law,  and  the  charters  still  stand 
good.  The  first  was  a  biU  for  the  repealing  of  all  citj"" 
charters  in  the  State  (for  the  avowed  object  of  getting  lid 
of  INauvoo),  this  bill  was  lost  by  a  majority  of  one.  Xext 
a  bill  was  introduced  to  repeal  the  Xauvoo  charter  alone. 
This  was  too  barefaced  to  be  countenanced,  and  was  lost 
by  an  overwhelmmg  majority  ;  but  not  until  some  warm 
debating  on  Mormonism  had  occupied  the  house  for  some 
time.  The  fact  is,  it  grieves  the  enemies  of  the  Saints 
very  much  to  see  them  enjojring  political  x^rivileges  in  com- 
mon with  others,  and  every  exertion  is  made  to  hinder  the 
progress  of  a  people  and  of  principles  which  they  consider 
as  already  becoming  too  formidable  to  be  easily  trampled 
under  foot. 

I  have  now  been  here  two  weeks,  and  have  minded  my 
own  affairs  as  a  X'l'i^^'te  man,  in  no  way  seeking  to  be 
l)ubhc,  or  even  to  be  known.  I  have  spent  my  time  in 
providing  for  my  family,  getting  wood  for  fii-e,  bringing 
water,  etc.,  together  with  reading  papers,  educating  my 
children,  etc.,  and  have  not  mentioned  "Mormonism,"  or 
any  other  "  ism,"  or  principle,  till  it  was  first  mentioned 
to  me.  Mrs.  Pratt  and  I  attended  a  Presbyterian  meeting 
last  Sabbath,   and  hstened  in  silence  to  a  dry  sermon. 

But    after    all    my    endeavors    to    be  quiet,  it  is  noised 


364:      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

abroad,  througli  all  jiarts  of  the  town  and  surrounding 
country  for  twenty-five  miles,  that  a  "Mormon"  in  here. 
All  parties  are  on  tiptoe  to  hear  hirn  ])reach  ;  the  citizens 
have  sent  the  i)Ostmaster  to  me  with  a  request  to  hear 
me,  and  have  opened  their  chapel  for  to-morrow,  where 
we  heard  the  Presbyterian  last  Sabbath.  I  have  consent- 
ed, and  commence  my  public  ministry  to-morrow  In  the 
meantime  I  have  lent  and  sold  several  books,  "  Voices  of 
Warning,"  "Book  of  Mormon,"  etc.,  and  these  are  having 
the  desired  effect.  The  people  here  were  greatly  preju- 
diced against  something  called  "  Mormonism ;"  they  knew 
not  what,  having  never  read  or  heard  any  of  the  Saints ; 
indeed  they  had  not  the  most  distant  idea  of  our  hold- 
ing to  Christianity  in   any  shape. 

Yesterday  a  brother  called  here,  from  twenty-five  miles 
in  the  country  j  he  had  heard  of  my  coming  and  came  to 
see  me.  He  is  a  rich  farmer,  possessiug  two  hundred 
acres  of  land  well  improved.  He  informed  me  of  a  small 
branch  of  the  Church  in  his  neighborhood,  and  made  an 
appointment  for  me  to  go  to  George  Town  (sixteen  miles 
distant),  on  Monday  next,  and  another  to  his  own  house, 
nine  mUes  further,  for  Tuesday  evening,  so  you  see  I  am 
getting  into  business  fast.  This  man  lirought  me  two 
Nauvoo  Wasps^  the  latest  of  which  was  printed  January 
7th.  From  these  I  learned  that  all  was  peace,  industry 
and  i)rosperity  there ;  a  fine  hard  winter  had  set  in  so 
early  that  none  of  our  ships'  companies  which  had  sailed 
this  season  had  been  able  to  get  up  the  river  to  Nauvoo; 
they  are  scattered  from  New  Orleans  to  St.  Louis,  and 
are  waiting  to  swarm  Kauvoo  in  the  spring.  From  the 
weather,  I  judge  that  the  river  is  about  opening  that  far; 
it  is  now  open  above  St.  Louis. 

No  one  landed  hero  with  me  but  sister  Mary  Aspen,  and 
my  family.  Sister  A.  is  with  us  now,  she  is  well  and 
much  x^leased  with  the  coimtry ;  most  of  our  j)assengers 
went  to  St.  Louis. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY   P.  PRATT.      365 

January  26th — Last  Sunday,  i)reache(l  twice  to  au  atten- 
tive audience.  Monday,  walked  sixteen  miles  ;  preached 
in    George    Town ;    good    attention.  Tuesday,    rode    ten 

miles  ;  preached  twice  among  the  Saints.  Wednesday,  bap- 
tized two  young  men  ;  held  confirmation  meeting,  then 
rode  twenty-five  miles  to  this  place. 

The  river  is  now  open,  and  is  twelve  feet  higher  than 
it  was  last  week,  the  weather  is  like  May.  I  start  for 
I^auvoo  on  horseback  to-morrow,  my  family  will  follow  in 
two  weeks  by  water.       I    shall    write    again   soon. 

Yours,  truly,   in   Christ, 

P.  P.  Pratt. 

January  27th,  1843,  I  started  for  Xauvoo  on  horseback,  and 
after  a  ride  of  some  eight  days  I  arrived  there  in  safety 
— a  distance  of  some  tvvo  hundred  and  eighty  miles. 

I  was  astonished  to  see  so  large  a  city  all  created  dur- 
ing my  absence,  and  I  felt  to  rejoice.  I  ^^sited  my  broth- 
ers Orson  and  William  and  their  families,  by  whom  I  was 
hospitably  entertained.  I  also  visited  President  Smith  and 
family,  who  received  me  with  the  usual  welcome  and  "  God 
bless  you,  Bro.  Parley.'''' 

AVhile  on  this  visit  to  Kauvoo  I  was  iuvited  to  Shocko- 
quon,  a  small  town  up  the  river,  a  few  mUes  above  Kau- 
voo,  in  comi)any  with  President  Smith,  Elder  O.  Hyde 
and  others.  We  started  February  15th ;  staged  over  night 
at  a  Mr.  Eussel's.  On  the  next  day  we  dined  at  McQueen's 
Mills ;  visited  Shockoquon  and  retiuned  to  the  said  mills 
at  evenuig.  Here  President  Smith  spoke  for  about  two 
hours.  The  crowded  congregation  seemed  deei)^y  interested 
— most  of  them  being  strangers   to   "  Monnonmn.^^ 

After  a  few  days  I  returned  to  my  family  in  Chester 
County  on  horseback.  The  weather  being  extremely  cold 
the  Mississippi  did    not  open  till  very  late  in  the  sj)ring. 

I  at  length  sent  my  family  i)er  steamer  to  St.  Louis,  and 
stopped    at    a    hotel   myself    on    the    opposite    side  of   tiie 


366 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


river,  iii  lUinois  Town.  lu  this  situation  we  still  had  to 
remain  for  several  days  awaiting  the  opening  of  the  river 
above. 

A  small  steamer  arrived,  commanded  by  Captain  Dan 
Jones,  and  was  finally  chartered  for  !Nauvoo,  and  filled 
with  Saints,  including  my  family.  I  passed  by  land  to 
Alton,  and  there  went  on  board. 

Captain  Jones  was  a  good  and  kind  hearted  Welshman, 
and  was  much  interested  in  the  fulness  of  the  gospel.  He 
soon  joined  the  Church,  and  was  finally  ordained  and  ap- 
pointed a  mission  to  Wales,  where  he  introduced  the' fulness 
of  the  gospel  and  gathered  thousands  into  the  Church. 

April  12th  we  landed  in  ISTauvoo,  and  were  kindly  wel- 
comed by  President  Smith  and  scores  of  others,  who  came 
down  to  the  wharf  to  meet  us. 

My  time,  from  my  arrival  until  the  last  of  the  year,  was 
spent  in  the  ministry,  and  in  building,  travelling,  etc. 


CHAPTER    XLII. 

MisceUaneous  Writings  :— Mission  to  the  East :— Impressions  of  the  Spirit  :— 
Martyrdom  of  Joseph  and  Hyriim  Smith :— Spirit  of  Exultation:— 
Return    to    Nauvoo :— Sidney    Rigdon    DisfeUowshipped. 

January  1,  1844. 

T*N  the  opening  of  this  year  I  completed  a  number  of 
-■-  miscellaneous  works,  some  of  which  were  published  in 
pamphlet  form.  Among  these  were  ^^  An  Appeal  to  the 
State  of  New  YorJc,^^—'^  Immortality  of  the  Body,^^—^^  Fowita.in 
of  Knowledge,^'— ^^  Intelligence  and  Afection,^^  and  "  The  Angel 
of  tJie  Prairies:^  This  last  work  was  a  curious  and  extra- 
ordinary composition,  in  the  similitude  of  a  dream.  It 
was  designed  as  a  reproof  of  the  corruptions  and  degeneracy 
of  our  Government,  in  suffering  mobs  to  murder,  plunder, 
rob  and  drive  their  fellow  citizens  with  impunity,  etc.  It 
also  suggested  some  reforms.  It  was  read  in  the  presence 
of  President  Joseph  Smith  and  a  General  Council,  and  was 
highly  applauded;    but  never  appeared  in  print. 

In  the  spring  I  went  to  Boston  as  a  missionary,  and 
on  business.  I  proclaimed  the  gospel,  as  usual,  while  on 
this  journey,  on  steamers  on  the  lakes  and  rivers;  in  the 
cities  of  the  Atlantic,  and  in  whatever  viUage  or  neigh- 
borhood I  had  opportunity.  Visiting  North  Bridge,  a  short 
distance  from  Boston,  and  having  a  day's  leisure,  I  wrote 
a  dialogue  entitled  ^' Joe  Smith  and  the  Devil,"  which 
was  afterwards  published  in  the  N'ew  YorTc  Herald,  and  in 
various  papers  in  America  and  Europe.  It  was  finally 
published  and  republished  in  pamphlet  form,  and  had  a 
wide  circulation ;  few  persons  knowing  or  mistrusting  who 
was  the  author. 


368       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

President  B.  Young,  and  most  of  the  members  of  the 
quorum  of  the  Twelve,  were  then  on  a  mission  through 
the  Eastern  States,  as  well  as  myself.  While  on  this 
mission,  on  the  27th  of  June,  1844,  a  mob  miu'dered  the 
Prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  and  his  brother  Hyrum,  in  a  jail 
at  Carthage,  Illinois,  while  Governor  Ford  had  pledged 
the  faith  of   the  State  for  their  protection. 

A  day  or  two  pre\dous  to  this  circumstance  I  had  been 
constrained  by  the  Spirit  to  start  prematurely  for  home, 
without  knowing  why  or  wherefore ;  and  on  the  same 
afternoon  I  was  passing  on  a  canal  boat  near  Utica,  l^ew 
York,  on  my  way  to  Nauvoo.  My  brother,  William  Pratt, 
being  then  on  a  mission  in  the  same  State  (New  York), 
happened,  providentially,  to  take  passage  on  the  same  boat. 
As  we  conversed  together  on  the  deck,  a  strange  and  solemn 
awe  came  over  me,  as  if  the  powers  of  hell  were  let 
loose.  I  was  so  overwhelmed  with  sorrow  I  could  hardly 
speak ;  and  after  pacing  the  deck  for  some  time  in  silence, 
I  tmned  to  my  brother  William  and  exclaimed — "  Brother 
William,  this  is  a  dark  hour;  the  powers  of  darkness 
seem  to  triumph,  and  the  spirit  of  miu-der  is  abroad  in 
the  land;  and  it  controls  the  hearts  of  the  American 
people,  and  a  vast  majority  of  them  sanction  the  killing 
of  the  innocent.  My  brother,  let  us  keep  silence  and  not 
open  our  mouths.  If  you  have  any  pamphlets  or  books 
on  the  fulness  of  the  gospel  lock  them  up ;  show  them 
not,  neither  open  your  mouth  to  the  peojile ;  let  us  ob- 
serve an  entire  and  solemn  silence,  for  this  is  a  dark  day, 
and  the  hour  of  triumph  for  the  powers  of  darkness.  O, 
how  sensible  I  am  of  the  spirit  of  murder  which  seems 
to  pervade  the  whole  land."  This  was  June  27,  1844,  in 
the  afternoon,  and  as  near  as  I  can  judge,  it  was  the 
same  horn*  that  the  Carthage  mob  were  shedding  the 
blood  of  Joseph  and  H>-rum  Smith,  and  John  Taylor, 
near  one  thousand  miles  distant.  My  brother  bid  me 
farewell .  somewhere  in  Western  New  York,  he  being  on 
I 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAKLEY  P.  PRATT.      369 

his  way  to    a  conference    in   that  quarter,  and  passing  on 
to  Buffalo  I  took  steamer  for  Chicago,  Illinois. 

The  steamer  touched  at  a  landing  in  Wisconsin,  some 
fifty  or  sixty  miles  from  Chicago,  and  here  some  new 
passengers  came  on  board  and  brought  the  news  of  the 
martyrdom  of  Joseph  and  Hyrum  Smith.  Great  excite- 
ment prevailed  on  board,  there  being  a  general  spirit  of 
exultation  and  triumph  at  this  glorious  news,  as  it  was 
called,  much  the  same  as  is  generally  shown  on  the  first  re- 
ceipt of  the  news  of  a  great  national  victory  in  time  of  war. 

Many  passengers  now  gathered  about  me  and  tauntmgly 
inquired  what  the  Mormons  would  do  now,  seeing  their 
Prophet  and  leader  was   killed. 

To  these  taunts  and  questions  I  replied,  that  they 
would  continue  their  mission  and  spread  the  work  he  had 
restored,  in  all  the  world.  Observing  that  nearly  all  the 
prophets  and  Ai)ostles  who  were  before  him  had  been 
killed,  and  also  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  and  yet  their 
death  did  not  alter  the  truth  nor  hinder  its  final  triumi)h. 

At  this  reply  many  of  them  seemed  astonished,  and 
some  inquired  who  would  succeed  him,  and  remarked  to 
me  :  "  Perhaps  you  will  be  the  man  who  will  now  seek  t\> 
be  leader  of  the  Mormons  in  his  stead — who  are  you,  sir  ?" 
I  replied  :  "I  am  a  man,  sir ;  and  a  MAN  never  triumphs 
and  exults  in  the  ruin  of  his  country  and  the  murder  of 
the  innocent."  This  was  said  in  the  energy  of  my  soul, 
and  by  constraint  of  the  Spmt,  and  a  poweiful  and 
peculiar  accent  was  thrown  upon  the  word  man  each 
time  it  occured  in  the  sentence.  This  served  as  a  sufBi- 
cient  rebuke,   and  all  were  silent. 

Landing  in  Chicago  I  found  great  excitement,  and  the 
press  had  issued  extras  announcing  the  triumph  of  the 
murderous  mob  in  killing  the  Smiths. 

I  now  hastened  on  to  Peoria,  and,  staying  over  night, 
started  next  day  on  foot  across  the  country  to  Nauvoo — 
distance  105  miles. 

24= 


370  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF    PARLEY    P.     PKATT. 

During  the  two  or  three  days  I  spent  in  travelling  be- 
tween Chicago  and  Peoria  I  felt  so  weighed  down  with 
sorrow  and  the  powers  of  darkness  that  it  was  painful 
for  me  to  converse  or  speak  to  any  one,  or  even  to  try 
to  eat  or  sleep.  I  really  felt  that  if  it  had  been  my 
own  family  who  had  died,  and  our  beloved  Prophet  been 
spared  alive,  I  could  have  borne  it,  and  the  blow  would 
have  fallen  on  me  with  far  less  weight.  I  had  loved 
Joseph  with  a  warmth  of  affection  indescribable  for  about 
fourteen  years.  I  had  associated  with  him  in  private  and 
in  public,  in  ti'avels  and  at  home,  iii  joy  and  sorrow,  in 
honor  and  dishonor,  in  adversity  of  every  kind.  With 
him  I  had  lain  in  dungeons  and  iu  chains ;  and  with 
him  I  had  triumi)hed  over  aU  our  foes  in  Missouri,  and 
found  deliverance  for  ourselves  and  peoj)le  in  Xauvoo, 
where  we  had  reared  a  great  city.  But  now  he  was 
gone  to  the  invisible  world,  and  we  and  the  Church  of 
the  Saints  where  left  to  mourn  in  sorrow  and  without  the 
presence  of  our  beloved  founder  and  Prophet. 

As  I  walked  along  over  the  x>lains  of  Illinois,  lonely 
and  solitary,  I  reflected  as  follows :  I  am  now  drawing 
near  to  the  beloved  city ;  in  a  day  or  two  I  shall  be 
there.  How  shall  I  meet  the  sorrowing  widows  and 
orphans  ?  How  shall  I  meet  the  aged  and  widowed 
mother  of  these  two  martyrs  ?  How  shall  I  meet  an  en- 
tire community  bowed  down  with  grief  and  sorrow  unut- 
terable ?  What  shall  I  say  ?  or  how  console  and  advise 
twenty-five  thousand  jieople  who  will  throng  about  me  in 
tears,  and  in  the  absence  of  my  President  and  the  older 
members  of  the  now  presiding  council,  will  ask  counsel  at 
my  hands  ?  Shall  I  tell  them  to  fly  to  the  wilderness 
and  deserts  ?  Or,  shall  I  tell  them  to  stay  at  home  and 
take  care  of  themselves,  and  continue  to  build  the  Tem- 
ple ?  With  these  reflections  and  inquiries,  I  walked 
onward,  weighed  down  as  it  were  unto  death.  When  1 
could  endure  it   no   longer,  I  cried  out  aloud,  sajiug  :    O 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      371 

Lord !  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  I  pray  Thee,  show 
me  what  these  things  mean,  and  what  I  shall  say  to  Thy 
people  ?  On  a  sudden  the  Spirit  of  God  came  upon  me, 
and  filled  my  heart  "with  joy  and  gladness  indescribable ; 
and  while  the  spirit  of  revelation  glowed  in  my  bosom 
with  as  visible  a  warmth  and  gladness  as  if  it  were  fire. 
The  Spirit  said  unto  me  :  "  Lift  up  your  head  and  rejoice ; 
for  behold !  it  is  well  with  my  servants  Joseph  and  Hy- 
rum.  My  servant  Joseph  still  holds  the  keys  of  my 
kingdom  in  this  dispensation,  and  he  shall  stand  in  due 
time  on  the  earth,  in  the  flesh,  and  fulfil  that  to  which 
he  is  appointed.  Go  and  say  unto  my  j)eople  in  !N^auvoo, 
that  they  shall  continue  to  pursue  their  daily  duties  and 
take  care  of  themselves,  and  make  no  movement  in  Church 
government  to  reorganize  or  alter  anything  until  the  re- 
turn of  the  remainder  of  the  quorum  of  the  Twelve.  But 
exhort  them  that  they  continue  to  build  the  House  of 
the  Lord  which  I  have  commanded  them  to  build  in 
Nauvoo.' 

This  information  caused  my  bosom  to  bmn  with  joy 
and  gladness,  and  I  was  comforted  above  measure  ;  all  my 
sorrow  seemed  in  a  moment  to  be  lifted  as  a  burthen 
from  my  back. 

The  change  was  so  sudden  I  hardly  dare  to  beheve  my 
senses  j  I,  therefore,  prayed  the  Lord  to  repeat  to  me  the 
same  things  the  second  time  ;  if,  indeed,  I  might  be  sure 
of  their  truth,  and  might  really  tell  the  Saints  to  stay  in 
iN'auvoo,   and  continue  to  build  the  Temple. 

As  I  prayed  thus,  the  same  spirit  burned  in  my  bosom, 
and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  repeated  to  me  the  same  message 
again.  I  then  went  on  my  way  rejoicing,  and  soon  arrived 
in  Kauvoo,  and  delivered  this  message  both  to  the  peo- 
I)le  and  friends  indi\idually,  and  in  the  great  congrega- 
tion. In  confirmation  that  the  message  was  right,  I  found 
them  already  renewing  their  labors  on  the  Temple,  under 
the  direction  of  John  Taylor    and    Willard    Eichards,   who 


372      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

were  members  of  our  quorum,  aud  were  in  jail  with  the 
prophets  wheu  they  were  murdered — Taylor  beiug  wounded 
with  four  buUets,   aud  Eichards  escaping  uninjured. 

We  then,  being  the  only  members  of  the  quorum  now 
present  in  Nauvoo,  united  in  daily  councils  at  Bro.  Taylor's, 
who  was  confined  by  his  wounds,  and  counseled  for  the 
good  of  the  Church.  We  were  enabled  to  baffle  all  the 
designs  of  aspiring  men,  such  as  Rigdon  and  others  (who 
strove  to  reorganize  and  lead  the  Church,  or  divide  them), 
and  to  keei)  the  Church  in  a  measure  of  union,  i)eace 
and  quiet  tni  the  return  of  President  Young  and  the 
other  members  of  the  quorum. 

Elder  Eigdon  arrived  from  Pittsburgh  soon  after  my 
arrival,  and  with  the  aid  of  Elder  Marks,  local  President 
of  the  Nauvoo  Stake,  and  others,  attempted  to  worm  him- 
self in  as  President  of  the  whole  Church.  A  public  meet- 
ing was  actually  called  aud  appointed  for  that  purpose; 
the  call  being  made  and  the  day  aijpointed  by  President 
Marks  on  the  public  stand.  President  W.  Eichards  was 
present  when  this  ai^pointment  was  announced. 

On  being  informed  of  this  untimely  and  underhanded 
attempt,  I  called  ui)on  Elder  Eigdon  to  meet  with  us — 
that  is,  the  three  of  the  Twelve  then  in  the  city,  at  the 
house  of  brother  Taylor,  who  was  still  confined  with  his 
wounds,  aud  there  we  expostulated  with  him,  and  showed 
our  reasons  for  being  opjiosed  to  such  a  course. 

I  finally  told  him  that  no  such  meetuig  should  be  held, 
nor  any  such  business  attempted  in  the  absence  of  the 
general  authorities  of  the  Church.  Aud  that,  if  any  such 
meeting  was  attempted,  I  shoidd  be  there  and  oppose  it, 
and  show  my  reasons,  and  then  dismiss  the  congregation 
and  take  my  hat  and  Avalk  away.  He  finally  assured  us 
that  no  business  of  the  kind  should  be  attempted,  and 
that  the  meeting  should  only  be  the  usual  i)rayer  meeting. 
We  likewise  forbade  President  INIarks  from  attempting  any 
general  business  till  the  return   of  the  general   authorities. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.     373 

About  tliis  time,  President  Marks  joined  with  the  widow 
of  the  martyred  Joseph  and  some  others,  in  a  council  in 
the  upper  room  of  brother  Joseph's  house,  to  try  to  nom- 
inate and  appoint  a  trustee,  in  trust  for  the  whole  Church. 
I  entered  this  council  and  heard  Mrs."  Emma  Smith  plead 
in  relation  to  this  matter,  the  great  importance  and  abso- 
lute necessity  of  immediate  action  on  this  subject,  as  delay 
would  endanger  much  jiroperty  of  a  public  and  private 
character,  and  perhaps  cause  a  loss  of  scores  of  thousands. 
I  arose  and  protested  against  any  action  of  the  kind, 
telUng  them  plainly  that  the  appointment  of  a  trustee  in 
trust  was  the  business  of  the  whole  Church,  through  its 
general  authorities,  and  not  the  business  of  the  local  au- 
thorities of  any  one  stake  of  the  Church,  and  that,  there- 
fore, it  could  not  be  done  tiU  the  remainder  of  the  quorum 
returned.  To  this  it  was  replied  that  by  this  delay  much 
property  would  be  lost.  I  again  repeated  that  doUars  and 
cents  were  no  consideration  Avith  me,  when  principle  was 
at  stake,  and  if  thousands  or  even  millions  were  lost,  let 
them  go.  We  could  not  and  would  not  suffer  the  author- 
ities and  principles  of  the  Chiu^ch  to  be  trampled  under 
foot,  for  the  sake  of  pecimiary  interest.  The  council  finally 
broke  up  without  accomplishing  anything. 

At  length  the  day  for  Mr.  Eigdon's  great  meeting  ar- 
rived, when  the  remainder  of  the  quorum,  or  a  majority, 
with  President  Young  at  their  head,  arrived  in  time  to 
be  present.  Mr.  Eigdon  was  frustrated  in  his  ambitious 
schemes,  and  with  his  adherents,  including  President  Marks, 
soon  left  the  place,  being  disfeUowshipped  by  the  Church. 

President  Brigham  Young  was  unanimously  chosen  and  up- 
held in  the  Presidency  of  the  whole  Church  ;  the  keys  of 
which  he  held  by  %Trtue  of  his  aj)Ostleship,  being  the  senior 
and  President  of  the  highest  quorum  of  the  Church  then 
living  in  the  flesh. 

October  6th. — The  half  yearly  Conference  was  held  at  'San- 
voo,  which  I  attended. 


CHAPTER      X  L  1 1 1 . 

Eastern  Mission  : — Return  : — Mobocracy : — Labor  in  the  Temple  : — Expulsion 
from  Nauvoo  : — Cross  the  Mississippi: — Garden  G-rove  : — Mount  Pisga: — 
Council  Bluffs  : — Mormon  Battalion  : — "Winter  Quarters  : — Mission  to  Eng- 
land with  Elders  Orson  Hyde  and  John  Taylor : — Conference  at  Man- 
chester : — Tour  througJi  the  Kingdom. 

December  2d. 

HAVINGr  been  appointed  by  the  President  and  others  of 
the  Twelve  to  go  East,  and  take  charge  of  churches 
in  the  Atlantic  States,  I  this  day  bade  farewell  to  home, 
family  and  the  City  of  Saints  and  started  on  this  journey. 
I  rode  to  Quiucy  ;  staid  over  night  at  brother  Haywood's, 
and  next  morning  took  boat  and  soon  arrived  in  St.  Louis. 
I  was  accompanied  by  Elders  E.  T.  Benson  and  P.  Brown, 
who  were  sent  to  assist  me  in  this  eastern  mission.  Nothing 
worthy  of  note  transpired  on  the  passage.  We  arrived  in 
New  York  towards  the  close  of  the  year.  I  appointed 
brother  Benson  to  take  charge  of  Boston  and  vicinity,  and 
brother  Brown  to  the  charge  of  Philadelphia  and  vicinity. 

January  1st,  1845. — I  sent  forth  a  proclamation  in  a  New 
York  paper,  called  the  Projihet,  edited  and  published  by 
Samuel  Brannan,  and  professedly  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  the  Church   of  the   Saints.* 

As  we  gradually  became  acquainted  with  circumstances 
pertaining  to  the  Church  in  these  parts,  we  foimd  that 
Elders  William  Smith,  G.  J.  Adams,  S.  Bramian  and  others, 
had  been  corrupting  the  Saints  by  introducing  among  them 
all    manner    of    false    doctrine    and    immoral    practices,    by 

*  See  Star,  No.  10,  vol.  5,  page  149. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      375 

which  many  of  them  had  stumbled  aud  been  seduced 
from  virtue  aud  truth.  While  many  others,  seeing  their 
iniquity,  had  tm^ned  away  from  the  Church  and  joined 
various  dissenting  parties.  We,  therefore,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  instructions  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
President  Young  before  we  left  home,  directed  William 
Smith  and  G.  J.  Adams  to  return  to  Nauvoo,  where,  in 
process  of  time,  they  were  cut  oft'  from  the  Cliurch,  We 
also  warned  brother  Brannan  aud  others  to  repent  speedily 
of  all  such  evil  practices  or  we  would  withdraw  fellowship 
from  them.  They  promised  faithfully  to  repent  and  lead  a 
new  life,  and  therefore  we  bore  with  them.  We  also  taught 
the  Church  to  beware  of  all  impure  and  wicked  doctrines 
and  practices,  and  not  to  receive  any  Elder  or  minister  who 
sought  to  seduce  them  by  any  false  teachings.  With  these 
exertions  and  the  continual  labors  of  Elders  Benson,  Brown, 
Grant  and  many  others,  with  myself,  we  succeeded  in  set- 
ting in  order  the  churches  and  reestablishing  piu-e  gospel 
principles.  There  were,  however,  many  who  woidd  not 
beUeve  us,  nor  hearken  to  our  advice,  but  continued  in 
their  abominations  and  dissentions.  Elder  Brannan  was  at 
length  disfellowshipped  at  ]S^auvoo,  as  appeared  in  the  official 
organ  of  the  Chm-ch  there.  On  seeing  this  notice  I  called 
his  attention  to  it,  and  urged  him  to  repair  immediately  to 
the  authorities  there  ;  acknowledge  and  frankly  repent  of 
his  faults,  and  seek  restoration  to  his  standing.  He  did 
this,  and  retui-ned  in  full  fellowship.  But,  as  it  finally 
proved,  this  was  only  to  disgrace  himself  and  the  cause 
stUl  more  in  a  wider  and  inore  responsible  career  in  Cali- 
fornia, where  he,  under  our  iQstruction,  soon  after  repaired 
with  a  colony  of  Saints  in  the  ship  "  Brooklyn."  He  was 
a  corrupt  aud  wicked  man,  and  had  the  Chm^ch  and  myself 
been  less  long  sutferiug  and  merciful,  it  would  have  saved 
the  Church  much  loss,  and,  perhaps,  saved  some  souls 
which  were  corrupted  in  California,  and  led  astray  and 
plundered  by  him.      I  have  always  regretted  lia\ing  taken 


376      AUTOBIOaEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

any  measures  to  have  him  restored  to  fellowship  after  he 
was  published  in  Nauvoo  as  cut  off  from  the  Church. 
However,  if  I  erred,  it  was  ou  the  side  of  mercy. 

I  devoted  the  winter  in  the  presidency  of  the  eastern 
churches,  to  writing  for  the  Prophet  and  in  \asiting  the 
chuiches  in  Boston,  Lowell,  Philadelphia,  Long  Island  and 
various  other  j)laces,  and  preaching  the  gospel  among  them. 

The  following  pieces  from  my  pen  are  found  in  the  above 
periodical,  under  their  appropriate  dates  and  titles :  "  Mate- 
riality 5"    "  Xew  Proverbs." 

I  continued  wi^iting  for  this  periodical  in  New  York, 
which  had,  however,  changed  its  name,  and  was  now 
pubhshed  as  the  Neiv  York  Messenger.  From  my  nu- 
merous editorials  and  communications  in  that  paper,  I  se- 
lect the  following  as  worthy  of  record  :     "  Heaven." 

July  20th,  1845,  I  published  an  address  to  those  under 
my  charge. 

Soon  after  the  publication  of  the  foregoing,  I  took  leave 
of  the  Saints  and  friends  in  the  Eastern  States,  and  re- 
turned to  Xauvoo  by  way  of  the  Erie  Canal  and  the 
lakes,  journeying  from  Chicago  to  Nauvoo  by  land,  by 
private  conveyance,  accompanied  by  a  few  of  the  Saints 
from  the  East.  We  arrived  in  Kauvoo  sometime  in 
August.  I  found  my  family  mostly  in  health,  and  was 
rejoiced  to  meet  them. 

From  the  time  of  my  arrival  home  until  the  end  of  the 
year,  I  was  engaged  in  the  cares  of  my  family,  in  finish- 
ing my  house,  and  in  my  official  duties. 

In  autumn  the  mobs  re-commenced  their  murders,  rob- 
bings, house  and  grain  burnings,  and  dri\ang  families  away 
from  their  lands  and  homes  in  the  borders  of  our  county, 
and  elsewhere. 

The  Sheriff  of  the  County  called  out  several  posses  and 
dispersed  them,  killing  some  and  arresting  others. 

This  bold  and  energetic  execution  of  the  sworn  duties  of 
Sheriff"  Backinstafs  did  not  seem  to  be  quite  congenial   to 


AUTOBIOGBAPnY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       377 

the  spirit  of  tlie  Governor  and  citizens  of  the  State  of 
Illinois — they  being  to  a  great  extent  in  favor  of  mob 
violence,  mnrder,  plunder  and  hoiTse  burning.  Therefore, 
Sheriff  Backingstafs  was  arrested  to  answer  to  the  charge 
of  niiu'der,  and  another  vSlieriff  was  imposed  on  the 
county,  unlawfully,  entirely  independent  of  the  ballot  box. 
Backingstafs,  however,  was  afterwards  discharged  by  the 
Court,  who  justified  his  killing  some  of  the  mob,  pronounc- 
ing it  an  official  act  in  perfect  conformity  with  his  duties 
as  an  officer.  The  Governor  sent  troops  to  our  county, 
on  pretence  of  aiding  the  law,  but,  in  reality,  to  aid  the 
mob  to  escape  justice  and  carry  out  their  expressed  reso- 
lutions of  driving  every  member  of  the  Saints,  and  their 
families,  from  the  State.  General  Hardin  and  Major 
Warren,  who  had  the  command  of  this  expedition,  joined 
their  advice  with  Judge  S.  A.  Douglass  and  others,  some 
of  them  citizens  of  Quincy,  and  meeting  with  President 
Young  and  our  other  leaders  in  coimcU,  advised  and 
urged  us  strongly  to  yield  to  the  mob,  and  abandon  our 
houses,  farms,  cities,  callages  and  Temple  to  this  wholesale 
banditti,  who  were  engaged  against  us,  and  sell  them  for 
what  we  could  get,  and  remove  out  of  the  country.  But 
very  little  of  the  real  estate  was  ever  sold. 

To  these  extravagant  counsels  we  finally  yielded  assent, 
and  agreed  to  move  West  in  the  spring,  and  to  advise 
others  of  our  society  so  to  do,  as  fast  as  we  could  sell. 

We  continued,  however,  our  work  on  the  Temple,  a  por- 
tion of  which  was  finished  and  dedicated. 

"  It  was  the  first  sjiecimen  of  a  new  order  of  architec- 
ture, introduced  by  President  Joseph  Smith,  and  was 
the  most  beautiful  building  in  the  Western  States,  erec- 
ted at  a  cost  of  a  million  dollars.  The  mob  subsequently 
set  fire  to  it,  the  light  of  which  was  Aisible  for  thirty 
miles." 

As  winter  approached,  President  Young,  myself,  the 
quorum,  and  many  others  were  daily    engaged  in  the  Tern- 


378 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


pie,  administering  in  the  lioly  ordinances  of  Endowment, 
to  many  liimdred.s  of  people.     Thus  closed  the  year  1845. 

January  Ist,  A.  D.  1840,  I  continued  to  minister  in  the 
Temple  night  and  day,  with  mj'  President  and  the  rest  of 
the  Twelve,   until  early  in   February. 

Soon  after  these  things  the  ministrations  in  the  Tem^ile 
ceased ;  and  President  Young,  with  the  rest  of  the  quorum 
and  many  others,  bade  farewell  to  their  homes  in   tlie  be- 


NAUVOO   TEMPLE. 

loved  city  of  Xauvoo,  and  crossed  the  Mississippi  Elver, 
with  their  families  and  such  teams  and  wagons  as  they 
could  get.  They  formed  an  encampment  on  Sugar  Creek, 
in  the   State   of  Iowa. 

February  14f//,  I  crossed  the  river  with  my  family  and 
teams,  and  encamped  not  far  from  the  Sugar  Creek  en- 
campment,   taking    possession    of   a    A^acant    log    house,    on 


AUTOBIoaHAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      379 

account  of  the  extreme  cold.  This  encampment  wais  about 
seven  miles  from  Nauvoo.  In  leavhig  home  at  this  in- 
clement season,  I  left  a  good  house,  lot  and  out  buildings, 
worth  about  seven  thousand  dollars,  and  several  lots  and 
houses  of  less  value,  besides  a  farm  in  the  country  worth 
near  two  thousand.  But  I  was  much  in  debt.  I,  there- 
fore, left  Mr.  Bickford  as  my  ageut,  authorized  to  sell 
the  ijrojjerty,  settle  up  my  business,  and  take  care  of 
such  of  my  family  or  friends  as  might  be  left  iu  his  care, 
including  my  aged  mother,  aud  the  father,  mother  and 
sister  of  my  wife.  I  was  iutending,  when  things  were 
settled,  to  place  the  surplus,  if  any,  at  the  disposal  of 
the  Church  or  its  agents,  in  aid  of  the  removal  of  such 
as  were  not  able  to  remove  without  assistance. 

While  we  lay  encamped,  some  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  west  of  Nauvoo,  President  Young  coming  up  vnth 
the  main  body  of  the  camps,  formed  an  encami^ment  a  few 
miles  in  the  rear,  and  sent  for  me  and  the  members  of 
the  Twelve,  who  were  with  me,  aud  George  Miller,  to  meet 
with  the  council  at  his  camp.  His  letter  censured  us  on 
account  of  some  of  our  moves,  and  as  heavy  rains  had 
swollen  the  small  streams  which  intervened  between  the 
two  encampments  (so  that  they  could  only  be  passed  by 
swimming),  and  myself  being  sick  on  account  of  exposure 
in  the  storms,  we  did  not  immediatelj^  attend  the  council, 
as  requested.  However,  we  found  means  to  cross  after  a 
little  delay,  and  were  proceeding  to  his  camp  when  an 
express  met  us  with  another  letter  from  the  President,  cen- 
suring us  still  more  severely. 

We  hastened  on  and  met  in  council.  The  President  then 
reproved  and  chastened  us  severely  for  several  things; 
among  which  was  our  drawing  off  from  the  council  and 
main  body  of  the  camp  and  going  ahead.  He  said  there 
was  manifestly  a  spirit  of  dissension  aud  of  insubordination 
manifested  in  our  movements.  I  could  not  realize  this  at 
the  time,  and  protested  that  in  my  own  heait,  so  far  as  I 


380      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P,  PRATT. 

was  concerned,  I  had  no  such  motive;  that  I  had  been 
actuated  by  the  purest  motives,  merely  seeking  to  sustain 
the  teams  and  people,  and  to  make  what  progress  we  could 
with  that  end  in  view.  However,  the  sequel  soon  proved 
that  it  was  the  true  Spirit  which  reproved  and  chastened 
us.  For  Bishop  Miller,  who  was  a  leading  and  active  mem- 
ber of  our  camp,  has  since  left  us  and  gone  his  own  way, 
having  refused  to  be  led  by  the  counsels  of  the  Presidency, 
and  removed  to  Texas.  And  here  I  would  observe  that, 
although  my  own  motives  were  pure,  so  far  as  I  could 
know  my  own  heart,  yet  I  thank  God  for  this  timely 
chastisement;  I  i^rofited  by  it,  and  it  caused  me  to  be  more 
watchful  and  careful  ever  after. 

All  things  being  harmonized  and  put  in  order,  the  camps 
moved  on.  Arriving  at  a  place  on  a  branch  of  Grand 
Eiver  we  encamped  for  a  while,  having  travelled  much  in 
the  midst  of  great  and  contiuued  rains,  mud  and  mire. 
Here  we  enclosed  and  lilanted  a  public  farm  of  many  hun- 
dred acres  and  commenced  settlement,  for  the  good  of  some 
who  were  to  tarry  and  of  those  who  should  follow  us 
from  Nauvoo.  We  called  the  place  "  Garden  Grove?''  It  is 
in  Iowa,  perhaps  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  Nau- 
voo.  After  assisting  to  fence  this  farm  and  build  some 
log  houses,  I  was  dispatched  ahead  by  the  Presidency  with 
a  small  company  to  try  to  find  another  location.  Crossing 
this  branch  of  Grand  Eiver,  I  now  steered  through  the 
vast  and  fertile  prairies  and  groves  without  a  track  or  any- 
thing but  a  compass  to  guide  me^— the  country  being  en- 
tirely wUd  and  without  inhabitants.  Our  course  was  west, 
a  little  north.  We  crossed  small  streams  daily,  which,  on 
accoimt  of  deep  beds  and  miry  banks,  as  well  as  on  ac- 
count of  their  being  swollen  by  the  rains,  we  had  to 
bridge.  After  journeying  thus  for  several  days,  and  while 
lying  encamped  on  a  small  stream  which  we  had  bridged, 
I  took  my  horse  and  rode  ahead  some  three  miles 
in  search  of  one  of  the  main  forks  of  Grand  Eiver,  which 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      381 

we  had  expected  to  find  for  some  time.  Riding  about  three 
or  four  miles  through  beautiful  prairies,  I  came  suddenly 
to  some  round  and  sloping  hills,  gi'assy  aud  crowned  with 
beautiful  groves  of  tituberj  while  alternate  oj)en  gToves 
and  forests  seemed  blended  in  all  the  beauty  and  harmony 
of  an  English  park.  While  beneath  and  beyond,  on  the 
West,  rolled  a  main  branch  of  Grand  Eiver,  with  its  rich 
bottoms  of  alternate  forest  and  prairie.  As  I  ai)i)roached 
this  lovely  scenery  several  deer  and  wolves,  being  startled 
at  the  sight  of  me,  abandoned  the  place  and  bounded  away 
till  lost  from  my  sight  amid  the  gi'oves. 

Being  pleased  and  excited  at  the  varied  beauty  before 
me,  I  cried  out,  "  this  is  Mount  Pisga.^^  \  I  returned  to  my 
camp,  with  the  report  of  ha\dng  found  the  long  sought 
river,  and  we  soon  moved  on  and  encamped  under  the 
shade  of  these  beautiful  groves.  It  was  now  late  in  May, 
and  we  halted  here  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  President 
and  council.  In  a  few  days  they  arrived  and  formed  a 
general  encampment  here,  and  finally  formed  a  settlement, 
and  surveyed  and  enclosed  another  farm  of  several  thou- 
sand acres.  This  became  a  town  and  resting  place  for 
the  Saints  for  years,  and  is  now  known  on  the  map  of 
Iowa  as  a  village  and  post-office  named  "P«s^«." 

June  1.  We  crossed  the  river,  and,  traveUing  one  mile,  en- 
camped ;  next  day  we  travelled  nine  miles,  and  the  third 
day  twenty  miles. 

Passing  on  from  day  to  day,  we  at  length  came  to  a 
large  river  which  could  not  be  forded,  called  the  Nishni- 
hotany.  Here  was  the  home  of  the  Pottowatamie  Indians 
who  were  very  friendly  and  civil   to  us. 

We  tarried  here  some  dajs  and  built  a  large  bridge, 
over  which  the  camps  were  enabled  to  cross. 

In  July  we  arrived  at  the  Missouri  river,  near  Council 
Bluffs.  There  we  encamped  for  several  weeks;  opened  a 
trade  with  upper  Missouri,  exchanging  wagons,  horses,  har- 
ness and  various  articles  of  furniture,  cash,  etc.,  for  pro- 
visions, oxen,  cows,  etc. 


382      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PEATT. 

In  the  meantime  we  built  a  ferry  boat,  fixed  landings, 
made  dugways,  etc.,  and  commenced  ferrying  over  the  Mis- 
souri. The  ferry  ran  night  aud  day  for  a  long  time,  and 
still  could  not  complete  the  crossing  of  the  camps  till  late 
in   the  season. 

While  we  tarried  here  I  returned  on  the  road  as  far  as 
Pisga — being  sent  on  a  mission  to  the  camps  and  settle- 
ments in  the  rear — distance,  in  going  and  returning,  two 
hmidred  miles.  In  this  journey  I  came  near  drowning,  in 
attempting  to  swim  a  branch  of  the  Nishnihotauy  on  horse- 
back. My  horse  refused  to  swim,  reared  on  his  hind  feet 
to  try  to  touch  bottom,  and  caused  me  to  slide  off  behind 
him  in  the  middle  of  a  very  strong  current  with  all  my 
clothes  on,  including  hat,  coat  and  boots,  and  a  large  par- 
cel under  my  arm.  The  parcel  contained  letters  and  im- 
portant documents.  I,  therefore,  clung  to  it  and  to  my  hat 
also,  and,  stemming  the  current  with  the  other  hand, 
swam  to  shore,  a  distance  of  several  rods.  Passing  on  a 
mile  or  two,  I  came  to  a  camp  of  the  Saints  an(f  dried 
my  letters  and  clothing.  As  I  returned  from  this  mission 
I  met  President  Young  and  others,  who  were  going  down 
to  Pisga  and  to  intermediate  camps  to  try  to  raise 
five  hundred  men,  who  had  just  been  called  for  by  the 
United  States  as  recruits  for  the  Mexican  war.  These 
troops  were  soon  raised  by  the  united  exertions  of  Presi- 
dent Young  aud  Council,  and  were  mustered  into  service 
^y  Lieutenant-Colonel  Allen,  and  called  the  Mormon  Bat- 
talion. 

This  is  that  famous  battalion  which  marched  through  more 
than  two  thousand  miles  of  a  trackless  waste  on  foot,  and 
helped  to  take  and  maintain  California — some  of  the  mem- 
bers of  which  first  discovered  the  gold  mines  of  that  coun- 
try,  and  thus  turned  the  world  the  other  side  up. 

The  lateness  of  the  season,  the  povertj^  of  the  people, 
and,  above  all,  the  taking  away  of  five  hundred  of  our 
best  men,  finally  compelled  us  to  abandon  any  further  pro- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      383 

gress    westward    till    the    return    of   another    spring.      The 
camps,  therefore,  began  to  prepare  for  winter. 

The  place  for  winter  quarters  was  finally  selected  on  the 
west  bank  of  the  Missouri  Eiver,  in  what  is  since  known 
as  the  teri'itory  of  N^ebraska.  This  was  a  beautiful  town 
site.  The  land  sloping  up  from  the  immediate  banks  of 
the  river  suflBciently  high  to  be  secure  from  high  water,  and 
then  stretching  away  in  an  unbroken  plain  to  the  Uills, 
which  swelled  up  at  less  than  half  a  mile  distant  in  beau- 
tiful rounded  grassy  points,  or  in  rising  benches,  one  above 
another. 

Vast  quantities  of  hay  was  cut  and  secured,  and  some 
seven  hundred  log  cabins  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  dug- 
outs (cabins  half  under  gTound)  were  built  in  the  course 
of  the  autumn  and  winter.  Otlier  large  settlements  were 
also  formed  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  back  into 
the  country. 

President  Young  also  caused  the  erection  of  a  srood 
flouring  mill  on  a  small  stream  which  liere  entered  the 
river. 

This  city,  which  was  Icnown  by  the  name  of  "Winter 
Quarters,  is  now  (185G)  called  Florence,  and  is  becoming 
a  thriving  jjlace  in  Nebraska. 

While  the  camps  lay  in  these  parts,  and  soon  after  I 
had,  with  my  teams  and  family,  crossed  the  Missouri, 
Presidents  Orson  Hyde,  John  Tajlor  and  myself  were 
appointed  a  mission  to  England.  The  reason  for  this  mis- 
sion under  the  i^reseut  distressing  circmnstances  was  this  : 
Elder  R.  Hedlock,  who  was  then  presiding  in  England, 
was  in  transgression,  and  was  engaged  in  a  wild  scheme 
of  financiering,  by  which  he  obtained  vast  sums  of  money 
from  the  Chui'cn  in  a  kind  of  joint  stock  organization, 
which  professedly  had  for  its  object  the  emigi'ation  of  the 
Saints  to  America,  while  in  reality  the  money  was  squan- 
dered by  himself  and  others  in  any  and  every  way  but 
to  do  good.      Our  mission  was  for  the  x>uri)Ose  of  breaking 


384      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

ap  this  scheme  of  fraud,  aud  displacing  him  and  regulating 
all  the  afiairs  of  the  Church  in  the  British  Isles. 

July    31. — I    bid    a    solemn   farewell    to    my    family    and 
friends,  then    dwelling    in   tents    and   wagons    on    the   west 
side    of   the    Missouri   Eiver,    and   started   for    England.    I 
met  Elders  Hyde  and  Taylor  as  agreed  upon,  and  we  took 
passage  down  the  river  in  an  open  scout,  or  flat  boat,  in 
company  with    a   family    of  Presbyterian    missionaries  who 
had  been  residing  on  the  Loupe  fork  of  the  Platte  Eiver, 
among  the  Pawnee  Indians,   and  who  were  now  bound  for 
St.   Joseph,  Missouri.      We    floated   or  pulled    the  oars  for 
some    days,    tying    up    and    sleeping    on    shore    at    night. 
Arriving  at  St.  Joseph,  the   missionaries   landed    and  sold 
the   boat    to    us.     We    then    continued    down    the    river    to 
Leavenworth,   where   we   found  the   Mormon    Battalion,  who 
were  just  receiving  money  for  clothing,  etc,  preparatory  to 
their  long  march  thence  to  California, 

We  visited  with  them  a  day  or  two,  and  they  contributed 
several  hundred  dollars  to  aid  us  on  our  mission  to  Eng- 
land. 

They  also  made  up  a  purse  of  between  five  and  six 
thousand  dollars  for  their  families  and  friends  at  the 
Bluffs,  and  furnishing  me  a  horse,  it  was  finally  agreed  by 
ray  two  brethren  that  I  should  return  to  the  Bluffs  with 
this  money.  Accordingly,  I  took  leave  of  Elders  Hyde 
and  Taylor  and  the  brethren  of  the  battalion,  and  started 
on  horseback  for  the  camp  of  the  Saints.  I  rode  with 
all  speed,  and  in  less  than  three  days  reached  home — dis- 
tance one  hundred  and  seventy  miles.  Unexiiected  as  this 
visit  was,  a  member  of  my  family  had  been  warned  in  a 
dream,  and  had  predicted  my  arrival  and  the  day,  and 
my  family  were  actually  looking  for  me  all  that  day. 

I  delivered  the  money  to  President  Young  and  Council, 
with  the  list  of  subscribers,  and  of  the  persons  for  whom  it 
was  sent,  and  again  prepared  for  my  departure.  Obtaining 
a  light  buggy,  I  harnessed  mj  horse  before  it,  and  started 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT.      385 

for  Chicago,  Illinois,  by  land — distance  five  hundred  and 
fifty  miles.  I  performed  this  journey  in  safety  in  eleven 
days,  averaging  fifty  miles  per  day.  Arriving  in  Chicago 
towards  evening,  I  immediately  sold  mj  horse  and  buggy, 
and  then  took  steamer  the  same  evening  across  Lake 
Michigan,  thence  by  railroad  to  Boston ;  thence  to  New 
York,  where  I  arrived  a  day  or  two  sooner  than  the  day 
agreed  upon.  I  was  hindered  a  little,  being  at  a  loss  for 
funds  to  pay  my  passage;  but  one  Elder  Badlam  kindly 
assisted  me,  and  I  soon  embarked  in  the  cabin  of  a  splen- 
did ship,  and  set  sail  for  Liverpool.  On  this  same  ship 
was  Franklin  D.  and  Samuel  Eichards,  and  M.  Martin, 
on  a  mission  to  the  same  country. 

"We  had  a  long  passage,  and  arrived  in  Liverpool  Octo- 
ber 14,  in  good  health  and  spirits. 

We  found  Elders  Hyde  and  Taylor  there  all  well,  and 
were  kindly  received  and  entertained  by  the  Saints. 

A  General  Conference  was  convened  in  Manchester  Oc- 
tober 17  ;  an  account  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  Star^ 
No.   7,  vol.  8. 

In  this  Conference  it  was  agreed  that  President  Hyde 
should  edit  the  8tar^  and  attend  to  all  business  in  the 
publishing  office  at  Liverpool,  while  President  Taylor  and 
myself  should  visit  the  different  conferences  in  the  British 
Isles.  We,  therefore,  published  our  appointments  before- 
hand in  the  8tar^  and  so  commenced  our  winter's  mission. 
I  will  not  detain  the  reader  with  a  detail  of  our  jour- 
neyings,  visits  and  meetings  in  pursuance  of  this  arrange- 
ment ;  but,  suffice  it  to  say,  we  travelled  from  conference 
to  conference  by  railway,  coaches,  steamers,  etc.,  visiting 
nearly  all  the  principal  towns  in  England  and  Scot- 
land. We  were  everywhere  received  and  treated  with 
the  utmost  hospitality,  and  with  demonstrations  of  joy 
and  gladness  not  soon  to  be  forgotten.  The  Saints  and 
others  convened  from  far  and  near  at  the  sessions  of 
our  several   conferences,  and   vast   crowds  of   strangers,  as 

25 


386 


AUTOBIOGrEAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 


well  as  Saints,  listened  to  us.  Public  feasts,  tea  parties, 
public  dinners  and  all  kinds  of  demonstrations  of  joy  and 
welcome  greeted  us  as  we  visited  from  place  to  place. 
So  that  our  sojoui-n  was  more  like  a  triimiphal  procession 
than  like  a  tlreary  pilgTimage.  We  preached  the  gospel, 
set  in  order  the  chm-ches,  directed  the  labors  of  the 
Elders,  comforted  the  Saints,  and  reproved  and  corrected 
the  abuses  introduced  by  President  Hedlock  and  others  in 
relation  to  the  joint  stock  companies,   etc. 

Hedlock  fled  at  our  approach,  leaving  many  debts  un- 
paid, and  finally  lived  incog,  in  London  with  a  vile  woman 
— he  being  severed  from  the  Church. 

It  was  during  my  travels  in  England  on  tliis  mission 
that  I  wrote  the  '  following  letter  in  blank  verse  to  my 
family,  whom  I  had  left  at  Council  Bluffs,  on  the  Missouii 
Eiver.  It  was  published  in  England  at  the  time,  on  a 
beautiful  sheet  with  a  handsome  border,  and  designed  to 
be  put  in  a  frame  as  a  household  ornament;  and  is  fre- 
quently seen  to  this  day  (1856)  as  a  memorial  m  the 
parlors  of   the  Saints  on  both  sides  of   the  Atlantic. 

May  it  be  handed  down  to  posterity  as  a  monument  of 
suffering  and  self-denial  of  women  and  children  for  the 
gospel's  sake. 


CHAPTER     XL  IV. 
AN  APOSTLE  OF  THE   CHUECH  OF  JESUS   CHEIST, 

OF     LATTER-DAY     SAINTS, 

Was  in  the  Ishmd  of  Great  Britain  for  the  gospeVs  sake ;  and  being  in  the 
Spirit  on  the  2-ith  of  Isoveinher,  184G,  addressed  the  following  ivords  of 
comfort  to  his  dearly  beloved  wife  and  family,  dwelling  in  tents,  in 
the  camp  of  Israel,  at  Council  Bluffs,  Missouri  Territory,  North  America ; 
luhere  they  and  tiuenfy  thousand  others  were  banished  by  the  civilized 
Christians  of  the  United  States  for  the  word  of  God  and  the  testimony 
of  Jesus : 

My  Dearest  Wife, 

Thy  kindly  soul  and  all 
Thine  acts  of  love  to  him,   thy  chosen  head, 
Are  treasured  deep  in  memory's  archives. 

And  when,   amid  the  busy  throng  of  towns, 
I  pass  unheeded,   or  wander  lonely 
In  some  country  lane,   or  gravelled  highway, 
Lined  with  hawthorn  hedge — or  turn  aside 
From  the  busy  walks  of  men  in  meadows  green, — 
Or  wander  'mid  the  solitary  grove 
At  twilight  hour,  where  silence  reigns,   and  the 
Fading  tints  of  autumn  tell  of  time's  flight, 
And  the  low  murmur  of  the  whispering  breeze 
Steals  o'er  the  senses  like  a  funeral  dirge, — 
Or  flying  swift  o'er  country  hedge  and  ditch 
In  flaming  chariot ;    while  hills  and  vales — 
And  towns,   and  villas,  farms,  plains,   and  woods 
Are  swiftly  whirled  behind  : — or  musing  in 
The  midnight  hour  in  lonely  solitude 


388  ATJTOBIOGEAPHY     OF     PAELEY     P.     PRATT. 

Upon  my  bed  : — 'Tis  then  I  think  of  thee. 

Sweet  thoughts  steal  gently  o'er  the  memorj'  ; 
And  my   spirit  wanders  o'er  the  wide  sea 
And  far  away   o'er  Alleghany's  heights, 
And  down  the  broad  Ohio,  from  its  source 
To  where  it  mingles  its  limpid  waters 
"With  the  dark  waves  of  Missouri's  current ; 
And  onward  stUl,   with  lightning  speed  it  flies, 
Till  towns  and  cities   all  are  left  behind  ; 
And  the  last  trace  of  Gentile  dwelling  fades 
From  A-iew,   and  disappears  in  the  far  east. 

At  length  the  long  sought  vision  bursts  to  view 
And  stays  my  spirit  in  its   onward  flight. 

Towering  bluffs; — deep  indented  vales; — wide  spread 
Prairies; — ^boundless  plains  and  beauteous  groves 
Expand  to  view  ;    all  clad  in  green,   and  deck'd 
In  summer's  richest  livery  of  flowers  ; 
Or  with  the  gTcy  tints  of  fading  autumn 
Crown'd  : — emblem  of  ]!s  ature's  dissolution. 

There  one  eternal  silence  seems  to  reign. 
And  slumbTing  IS'ature  rests  in  solitude. 

There  peace  prevails; — the   Sabbath  rules  the  year; 
And,  in  its  own  primeval  innocence, 
Uncursed  by  man's  polluted  touch,  the  earth 
Seems  resting  in  sacred,   sublime  repose. 

Xo  GentUe  tyrant  sways  his  sceptre  there ; — 
Xo  pris'ners  groan  in  solitary  cells. 

There  freedom  dwells  ;    no  superstitious  creed 
Enslaves  the  mind  of  man ; — no    Christian  mobs 
To  drive  him  from  his  home  or  shed  his  blood. 

0  sacred  solitude,  divinely  blest — 

Zion's  retreat; — where  dwell  the  great  and  good. 

There,  with  delight  my  spirit  lingers  still, 
And  would  prolong  the  heavenly  \ision. 

1  love  thee,  for  thyself,  O  land  of  Zion ! 
The  beauty  of  thy  landscape,— thy  flowers, — 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      389 

Thy  boundless  immensity  of  green  fields, 
Mingling  with  the  wide  expanse  of  Heaven's 
Blue  arch; — thy  star-bespangled  fii^mament 
Have  charms  for  me. 

The  mellow  moonlight 
Gently  stealing  o'er  thy  sacred  forests; — 
The  fading  tints  of  twilight  painted  on 
Your  evening  sky  ;— the   soft  and  plaintive  voice 
Of  the  autumnal   cricket,   as  he   sings 
The  funeral  knell  of  expiring  insects, 
Or  sounds  a  requiem  to  the  closing  year  : — 

All  these  steal  o'er  my  senses  with  delight. 
And  wake  the  memory  to   scenes   afar  : 

They  whisper  to  the  lonely  exile, 
And  tell  of  youth,   and  Mends,   and  native  clime. 

Yet  not  for  these  charms  alone  I  love  thee  ; 
I^or  yet  for  peace,   or  freedom  sweet,   or  rest. 
Or  sacred  Sabbath  of  sublime  repose. 

All  these,  though  dear  to  me,   are  worthless  toys,— 
Mere  baubles, — compared  to  that  precious  gem 
Which  yet  remains  to  beautify  my  verse, 
And  swell  the  music  of  my  joyous  theme. 

There  dwell  my  family,— my  bosom  fi'iends,— 
The  precious  lanbs  of  my  Bedeemer,— my 
Best  of  Heaven's  gifts  to  man,— my  germs  of 
Life  and  immortality,— my  hope  of  Heaven,— 
My  principality  on  earth  began, — 
My  kingdom  in  embryo,  big  with  thrones 
Of  endless  power  and  wide  dominion. 

Ye  kindred  spirits  from  world's  celestial ! 
Offsprings  of  Deity  ;— Sons  and  daughters 
Of  eternity  ; — Ye  nobles  of  Heaven 
Whose  dwellings  were  of  old  among  the  Gods 
In  everlasting  mansions,   and   who  stood 
In  the  councils  of  the  High  and  lofty 
One,  ere  chaos  sprang  to  order,  or  the 


390  AUTOBIOGEAPHY     OP     PAKLEY     P.     PRATli 

Foundations  of  the  everlasting  hills 
Were  laid  :    Why  came  ye  to  this  world  of  woe  1 
Why  this   disguise  ? — This  painful  sojourn  in 
A  land  of  death  ?— 

Why  wander  far  from  Heaven's  eternal  fold, 
And  from  the  bosom   of  your  Father  there  ? 
Had  He  no  love  ?    No  fond   affection  for  * 

His  own,  that  you  are  banished  thus,   and  left 
As  exiles  wandering  in  some  dreary    Avaste  I 
And  if  thus  fallen,   and  forsaken  quite, 
Like  evil  spirits  thrust  from  Heaven,   to 
Eeturn  no  more  ; — why  that  latent  spark  of 
Heaven's  pure  love  still  glowing  in  your  breast ! 
Why  does  your  bosom  swell  with  hope  and  joy. 
And  fire  celestial  kindle  in  your  eye  ? 

O  heavenly  gift !    The  key  of  knowledge 
Restored  to  man,   the  mystery  unfolds 
Of  God's  elect — their  final  destiny. 

Tou  are  here  because  your  father  loved  you  ; 
Because  in  Heaven  ye  kept  your  first  estate. 
And  firm  remained  when  angels  did  rebel, 
And  Lucifer  drew  a  third  of  Heaven's  host 
From   God ;   and  with  them   sunk  in  dark  despair. 

You  are  here  for  further  proof  and  trial ; — 
For  a  second  estate  ;   which  if  ye  keep 
As  ye  did  the  first,  will  purify  your  souls. 
And  fit  you  for  a  Heaven  celestial. 

You  came  to  the  earth  to  be  bom  of  flesh, 
To  fashion  and  perfect  your  earthly  house, — 
To   Uve^  to   love,   to  suffer  and  to  die, — 
To  rise  and  reign,   in  immortality. 
To  form  your  kindred  ties  with  kindred  souls, — 
To  blend  your  s^nnpathies  hj  mutual  acts 
Of  kindly  charity  : — 

To  love  and  serve 
Each  other  in  ten  thousand  nameless  ways  j 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      391 

And  thus  give  exercise  to  mutual  love, 
Aud  quaUfy  yourselves  for  union  endless 
In  that  world  of  bliss. 

0  ye  beings  of  noble  birth  !   ye  lambs 
Of  celestial  origin,   to   Zion  bound  ! 

1  know  ye  now  ;   and  knowing,   can  but   love. 
O   my  Father  in   Heaven  !      Thine  they  were, 

And  Thou  gavest  them  to  me  : — Precious   gifts  ! 

Eudear'd  by  long  acquaintance  in  the  heavens. 

By  the  soid's  best  affections  on  the  earth, 

By  mutual  love  and  sympathy  of  soul, 

By  all  the  kindred  ties   which  twine  around 

The  heart  in  sacred,  inexpressible 

Delight. — Made  nigh  by  a   Saviour's  blood  ; — 

Seal'd  by  the   Holy  Ghost,   and  secur'd 

By  the  spirit   aud  power  of  Elijah, — 

By  which   the  hearts   of  the  fathers   are   turn'd 

To  the  children  :     Enliven'd  by  the  hope 

Of  endless  imion  in  that  world  of  life 

"VMiere  aU  is  pure  : — 

Thrones,   i:)rincipalities, 
Powers,  majesty,  might  and  dominion. 
As  a  mutual  reward  !      Who  can  but  love  I 

O  precious  kindred  !   my   loveliest,  best ! 
Are  motives   wanting   still  to  prompt  my  love, 
And  kindle  my  soul's   affection  to  its 
Highest,  purest  flame?  sweet  memory  dwells 
On  all  the  past, — Your  sufferings   vdth  me  ; 
Your  sacrifices  for  the  Gospel's  sake. 

For  me  and  truth  you  gladly  left  your  home, 
Your  native  clime,  your  father,  mother,  friends. 
And  kiudred  dear,  and  wandered  far   away 
O'er  mountain,  seas,  and  continents.    The  wide 
Expanse  of  ocean — its  waves  and  tempests 
Could  not  quench  your  love,  or  cool  your  courage: — 

Towering  mountains  rose  before  you ;  rivers 


392      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Intervened  to  check  you  on  your  journey: 

Wide  lakes,  gloomy  forests,  and  desert  plains 
Forbid  your  further  progiess,  but  in  vain. 

Truth  was  the  prize  you  sought;   and  love  impeU'd 
You    onward.    These  overcome,  a  host 
Of  fiends  assailed  you  next,  with  lying  tongues 
To  flatter,  frown,  to  pity  or  deceive; 
To  coax,  or  drive  you  from  your  chosen  course. 

When  slander,  rage,  and  lies,  and  pity  fail'd. 
Then  came  the  deadly  strife!— The  fii-e  consumed; 
The  sword  devoured ;— Widows  and  orphans  moui-n'd; 
Hell's  artillery  bellow'd;    Martyrs  bled; 

The  world  exulted; — Devils  hugely  grinn'd; 

Heaven  wept;    saints  prayed;    Justice  stood  aghast;— 
Mercy,  retmng,  dropped  a  tear  of  blood;— 
Angels  startling,  half  drew  their  glittering  swords; 
And  the  Gods,  in   solemn  council  decreed 
A  just  VENGEANCE! 

Amid  these  awful  scenes  ye  firmly  stood 
For  truth,  and  him  you  loved;    And  leaving  house 
And  home   again  behind,  in  poverty 
Ye  fled;    and  pitch'd    your  humble  tent  amid 
The  storms  of  winter:    And  wandering  o'er  the 
Wide,  unsheltered  plain,  ye  braved  the  tempest 

^.  Many  a  weary  month  without  a  murmur: 

Without  a  murmur !    Nay  more — ^Ye  smilino- 
Stood,  amid  the  awful  storms,  and  hail'd  the 
Tempest  welcome.    The  solitary  wilds 
Eeverb'rated  with  freedom's  joyful  songs. 
While  there  you  fondly  pressed  your  infant  to 
Yom^  bosom,— smil'd  on  your  lord,— receiv'd  his 
Smile  in  turn,  and  realized  your  freedom. 
Supremely  blest  with  heaven's  approving  smile, 
With  peace  and  friendship,  liberty  and  love; 

And  with  the  daily  presence  of  your  lord, 

Whose  best  affection  sweeten'd  every  care- 


AUTOBIOGRA.PHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


393 


Ye  still  were  happy  iu  your  low  estate, 
Kor  siglied  for  more. 

One  only  sacrifice  remained  for  us 
To  make,  to  further  test  our  depth  of  love 
For  God  and  ti-uth ;— 'twas  all  that  Heaven  could  ask. 

Will  you,  my  lambs,  be  left  alone,  to  spend 
Another  winter  in  this  dreary  wild. 
While  him  you  Jove  shall  wander  far  away 
Beyond  the  sea,  for  truth   and  Zion's  sake? 

Yoirr  pidse  beat  quick;    your  bosom  heav'd 
Your  heart  swell'd  with  emotion;    a  big  tear 
Gush'd  forth,  and  stole  in  silence  down  yom-  cheek; 
While  yoiu^  spirit  said :    ^'  If  I  must,  I  tcill  /" 

The  Eecording  Angel  smil'd ;— Heaven  approved, 
And  said— "It  is  enough,^^  record  the  same, 
And  with  it  Our  decree:— They  are  Elect! 
Eternal  life  is  theirs:    They  shall  be  one, 
While  ekdless  ages  roll! 

Parley  P.  Pratt. 


a   sigh; 


CHAPTER     XLY. 

Return  with  Elder  Jolm  Taylor  to  America :-Arrival  at  Winter  Quarters.— 
Camp  Starts  for  the  Rocky  Mountains :— Meet  the  Pioneers —Amval  in 
Great  Salt  Lake  VaUey;— Visit  to   Utah  and  Great  Salt  Lakes. 

Tj^ARLY  in  January,  1847,  having  completed  our  mission 
-L^  in  the  British  Isles,  brother  John  Taylor  and  myself 
went  to  Liverpool,  preparatory  to  om-  return,  >yith  a  few 
of  the  Saints,  who  were  accompanying  us  as  emigrants. 
Here  we  soon  made  arrangements  for  passage  to  New 
Orleans,  chartermg  the  second  cabin  of  a  large  new  ship 
called  "America."  ' 

We  bid  adieu  to  our  warm  hearted  and  affectionate 
friends  in  England,  and  embarked  on  this  ship.  Our  com- 
pany consisted  of  fourteen  persons  in  all,  composed  of 
returning  Elders  and  a  few  famUies  or  hidividuals  who 
were  emigrating  with  us.  We  were  very  '  comfortable  in 
our  own  little  cabin,  where  we  had  our  own  pro^isions, 
and  set  our  own  table,  hiring  the  ship's  cook  to  do  ou^ 
cooking.  We  sailed  January  19th,  but  we  soon  met  a  gale 
of  wind,  which  was  directly  contrary  to  us.  This  gale  con- 
tinued for  nine  days,  without  any  cessation  or  abatement, 
during  which  time  we  were  beating  in  a  land-locked  chan- 
nel between  Ireland  and  England,  without  gaining  fifty 
miles  on  our  course,  being  in  iminent  danger  of  being  cast 
away  on  a  lee  shore.  During  all  this  time  our  Captain  lay 
sick  in  his  berth  with  a  fever  on  the  brain,  and  much  of 
the  time  in  a  state  of  mental  derangement.  We  frequently 
watched  with  him,  and  in  his  rational  moments  he  would 
converse  a  little.      He  said  his  family  Uved  in  America,  and 


ATJTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY    P.     PRATT.  395 

lie  much  wished  to  get  to  them,  but  was  very  positive  he 
should  never  see  them  more,  having  been  for  many  days  oj)- 
pressed  with  a  sure  and  certain  presentiment  that  he  should 
never  reach  America  alive.  We,  in  reply,  allowed  that  pre- 
sentiments of  that  kind  were  possible,  and  sometimes  true, 
and  to  be  depended  on,  but  not  always.  And  brother 
Taylor  and  myself  assui^ed  him,  as  men  of  God,  that  his 
present  i)resentiment  was  false,  and  that  both  him  and  his 
vessel  would  reach  America  in  safety.  This  we  assured 
him  over  and  over  again,  from  day  to  day.  After  nine 
days  of  severe  struggle  with  the  wind  and  waves,  the 
mate  and  supercargo  becoming  discouraged,  and  the  men 
worn  out,  they  counselled  with  us  and  concluded  to  put 
back  into  the  port  of  Liverpool,  which  was  accordingly 
done  after  some  difficulty  and  delay.  Here  the  Captain, 
who  was  still  dangerously  ill,  went  on  shore,  and  under 
proper  medical  aid,  recovered,  and  afterwards  landed  in 
America  per  steamer,  where  he  reached  his  family  in  safe- 
ty. Our  mate  was  sworn  in  captain,  and  we  again  put 
to  sea,  after  visiting  our  friends  on  shore,  and  recruiting 
our  stock  of  provisions.  On  taking  this  second  farewell 
of  oiu'  friends  in  the  British  Isles  I  sent  forth  through 
the  columns  of  the  Star  the  following  farewell  address  : 

To  THE  Saints  in  Great  Britain. 

Beloved  Brethren  : — Having  been  so  crowded  with  busi- 
ness and  care  on  my  late  departure  from  your  shores  for 
my  home  in  the  distant  wilds  of  western  America,  I  had 
no  time  to  say  farewell,  or  to  leave  my  blessing  with  you 
in  a  formal  manner  as  a  whole,  although  expressed  fre- 
quently in  our  farewell  meetings.  I  have,  therefore,  provi- 
dentially returned  to  your  midst,  after  nuie  days  of  sea- 
faring life,  in  order  to  take  a  fair  start,  and  to  say  fare- 
well through  the  medium  of  the   Star. 

I  feel  the  most  perfect  satisfaction  with  the  manner  of 
our    reception    and    entertainment    among    you    as    men    of 


396      AUTOBIOaRAPHT  OF  PARLEY  P.  PEATT. 

God.  I  also  feel  that  we  have,  as  far  as  time  would  per- 
mit, Jiccomplished  the  work  for  which  we  came,  aud  that 
the  utmost  success  and  prosperity  has  attended  our  labors. 
The  Church  universally  has  manifested  a  spirit  of  confi- 
dence and  obedience  to  the  instructions  we  had  to  impart, 
and  the  measures  we  were  sent  to  propose  for  their  i)ros- 
perity  and  deliverance,  both  temporally  and  spiritually. 

We  have  also  been  received  aud  entertained  in  the  most 
kind  and  hospitable  manner  in  every  j)lace  we  have  been 
permitted  to  visit.  TVe  have  been  lodged,  fed,  comforted 
and  cheered  as  if  we  had  been  angels  of  glad  tidings, 
and  we  feel  the  utmost  satisfaction  in  expressing  our  most 
grateful  thanks  for  all  the  kindness  and  assistance  rendered 
unto  us  while  in  your  midst;  and,  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  by  authority  of  the  holy  priesthood  and  apostle- 
shij)  vested  in  us,  we  bless  the  congregations  of  the  Saints 
throughout  this  land,  with  all  the  officers  and  members 
thereof,  with  the  blessings  of  time  and  eternity  in  all  their 
fulness.  We  also  bless  the  Queen,  ministers,  magistrates, 
and  i^eople  of  this  realm,  while  they  continue  to  administer 
equal  justice  for  the  protection  of  every  subject,  without 
respect  of  persons ;  and  we  pray  that  Heaven's  choicest 
blessings  may  rest  upon  the  Saints,  and  upon  all  that  fear 
God  and  work  righteousness  in  this  land.  Ye  sons  aud 
daughters  of  Zion,  be  of  good  cheer ;  for  God  will  deliver 
you  in  due  time,  and  gather  in  one  the  children  of  God. 
Pray  for  us  and  for  the  camp  of  the  Saints  in  the  wil- 
derness.   Farewell. 

P.  P.  Pratt. 

Liverpool,  January  29,  1847. 

Elder  Hyde  did  not  sail  with  us,  but  stayed  a  few  days 
longer  to  complete  the  business  in  the  office.  Soon  after 
we  set  sail  Elder  Joseph  Cain,  returning  missionary,  was 
married  on  board  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Whittaker.  It  was  a 
fine  affair,  and  we  had  a  good  dinner  on  the  occasion. 
The  wind   was    now    fair    continually,   and    we    were    only 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      397 

thirty-five  days  in  coming  to  anchor  off  the  port  of  New 
Orleans — having  sailed  some  seven  or  eight  thousand  miles. 
Here  we  were  delayed  a  day  or  two  by  a  dense  fog,  but 
as  the  weather  cleared,  a  tug  steamer  soon  got  hold  of 
us,  and  took  us  into  port. 

Here,  as  soon  as  we  could  get  clear  of  the  custom  house, 
we  took  a  steamer,  and,  in  about  six  days,  arrived  in  St. 
Louis. 

Here  I  left  brother  Taylor  to  pass  up  the  Missouri 
Eiver  on  a  steamer,  with  the  company  and  baggage,  while 
I  took  a  horse  and  rode  through  the  northwestern  por- 
tion of  Missouri,  and  into  Iowa,  by  land.  I  went  incog. 
for  fear  of  my  old  enemies  in  that  State. 

I  struck  the  wagon  trail  we  had  made  the  year  before, 
near  Garden  Grove,  and  tarried  there  with  the  Saints 
one  day.  It  was  then  quite  a  flourishing  place — the  farms 
which  I  helped  to  open  and  enclose  the  j)revious  year 
having  yielded  abundance  of  provisions,  and  other  farms 
having  been  opened. 

Being  a  little  refreshed  I  passed  on  to  "  Mount  Pisga," 
where  I  found  another  flourishing  settlement  of  the  Saints, 
and  stayed  over  night.  Thence  I  passed  on  to  the  Mis- 
souri Eiver,  finding  Saints  to  entertain  me  every  night. 
In  making  the  journey  from  St.  Louis  to  Missouri  Eiver, 
near  Winter  Quarters,  I  had  probably  travelled  near  four 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  on  horseback.  I  crossed  over  the 
ferry  at  noon  of  a  fine  April  day,  and  came  suddrnly 
upon  my  friends  and  family.  This  was  April  8,  1847.  I 
found  my  family  all  alive,  and  dwelling  in  a  log  cabin. 
They  had,  however,  suffered  much  from  cold,  hunger  and 
sickness.  They  had  oftentimes  lived  for  several  days  on 
a  little  corn  meal,  ground  on  a  hand-miU,  with  no  other 
food.  One  of  the  family  was  then  lying  very  sick  with 
the  scurvy — a  disease  which  had  been  very  prevalent  in 
camp  during  the  winter,  and  of  which  many  had  died.  I 
found,   on  inquiry,   that  the  winter  had    been  very  severe, 


398      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

the  suow  deep,  and,  consequently,  that  all  my  horses  (four 
in  number)  were  lost,  and  I  afterwards  ascertained  that 
out  of  twelve  cows  I  had  but  seven  left,  and  out  of 
some  twelve  or  fourteen  oxen  only  four  or  five  were 
si)ared. 

President  Young  and  Council,  with  a  company  of  pio- 
neers, were  then  encamped  on  the  Elk  Horn  Eiver,  twenty 
miles  west,  ready  to  start  for  the  mountains.  Some  of 
them,  however,  returned  to  Winter  Quarters  on  business, 
and  I  had  an  interview  with  them.  I  then  gave  a  rela- 
tion of  our  Eui'opean  mission,  and  deUvered  to  them  an 
account  of  four  hundred  and  sixty-nine  sovereigns  in  gold, 
collected  in  England  as  tithing,  which  had  crossed  the 
sea  in  my  charge,  and  was  then  in  charge  of  Elder 
Taylor  on  the  Missouri  Eiver,  and  might  be  expected 
soon.  This  small  sum  proved  a  very  acceptable  and  timely 
relief  in  aiding  the  Presidency  to  relieve  some  of  the 
distress,  and  to  fit  out  as  pioneers  for   the  mountains. 

The    President    and    Council    seemed    well    pleased    with 
our  mission  and    management.    They  expressed  an  earnest 
wish  for    me    to    accompany  them    on    the    pioneer  trip  to 
the    moimtains;    but    my  circumstances    seemed    to  forbid 
and  they  did  not  press  the  matter. 

After  a  few  days'  rest  I  began  to  prepare  for  journey- 
ing to  the  mountains  mth  my  family.  My  wagons  were 
overhauled  and  put  in  order,  tires  reset,  chains  repaired, 
yokes  and  bows  arranged  in  order,  wagon  bows  made  or 
mended,  etc.,  etc.  This  occupied  most  of  my  time  tiU 
June. 

Early  in  June  I  loaded  my  goods  and  family  into  my 
wagons,  and,  obtaining  a  few  more  cattle,  started  for  the 
Eocky  ]\Iountaius ;  or  rather  for  the  Elk  Horn  Eiver,  where 
we  expected  to  form  a  rendezvous,  and  establish  a  ferry 
and  wait  the  arrival  of  others,  and  the  organization  of 
companies  for  the  purpose  of  mutual  safety  in  travelling. 
Arriving  at  Elk    Horn  Eiver  with  a  small  company,  we 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      399 

made  a  ferry  of  a  raft  of  dry  cotton  wood  timber,  and 
rafted  over  our  own  company  of  about  fifty  wagons.  We 
then  organized  for  herding  and  grazing  purposes,  and  con- 
tinued to  aid  others  in  crossing  and  organizing  until  five 
hiuidred  and  sixty-six  wagons  were  finally  crossed  and 
organized  ready  for  a  march.  In  the  final  organization 
of  this  vast  company  Father  Isaac  Morley  and  Bishop 
TSTiitney  assisted,  or  rather  took  the  oversight — being  a 
committee  aijpointed  for  that  piu-pose  by  the  Presidency 
before  they  left.  As  brother  Taylor  and  myself  were 
present,  we  were  appointed  and  ul^ited  to  take  a  general 
supertntendency  of   tliis  emigration. 

The  organization  consisted  of  companies  of  tens,  fifties 
and  hundreds,  vrith  a  captain  over  each,  and  the  whole 
presided  over  by  a  president  and  two  councilors,  a  mar- 
shal, etc.  President  John  Young  was  called  to  preside — 
having  been  nominated  by  the  Presidency  before  their  de- 
parture.   John  Tan  Cott  was  appointed  marshal. 

Thus  organized,  this  large  comi^any  moved  on  up  the 
Platte  about  the  Fourth  of  July.  There  were  some  diffi- 
culties and  jealousies  diu'iug  the  first  few  days,  on 
account  of  some  misunderstanding  and  insubordination  in 
the  order  of  travel.  This  at  length  became  so  far  devel- 
oped that  it  was  found  necessary  to  call  a  general  halt 
on  the  Platte  Eiver,  and  hold  a  council  of  the  principal 
officers,  in  which  things  were  amicably  adjusted  and  the 
camp   moved  on. 

Arriving  at  the  Loupe  Fork  of  Platte  Eiver,  we  con- 
tinued up  it  quite  a  distance  above  the  trail  the  pio- 
neers had  made,  as  we  could  not  ford  the  river  in  their 
track.  We  at  length  found  a  ford,  and  with  some  difficulty 
on  accoimt  of  quicksands,  forded  the  river  and  made  our 
way  over  to  the  Main  Platte,  re-entering  the  pioneer 
trad.  As  we  passed  up  the  Platte  on  this  trail  the  com- 
panies in  front  had  frequently  to  halt  and  build  bridges, 
etc.    On  one  occasion  Peregrine  Sessions,  who  was  captain 


400 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  TARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


Of  our  company  of  fifty,  and  myself  found  two  horses 
which  had  probaDly  strayed  from  some  former  traveUers, 
and  which,  after  several  unsuccessful  attempts  by  different 
parties,  brother  Taylor  succeeded  in  driving  into  camp, 
^nd  he  and  I  captui^ed  them.  We  were  at  the  time  ahead 
of  the  company,  foUowing  up  a  stream  to  try  and  find  a 
ford.  This  was  a  very  timely  providence  to  me,  as  I  had 
lost  all  my  horses  the  previous  winter,  and  was  now  pio- 
neering for  the  company  without  any  horse,  and  on  foot. 

After  journeying  for  several  hundred  miles  up  the  Platte, 
we  at  length  met  two  messengers  from  the  pioneers 
under  President  Young,  from  Salt  Lake  VaUey.  These  were 
P.  EockweU  and  E.  T.  Benson  5  who  had  been  sent  out 
to  try  to  find  us  and  report  our  progress  and  circum- 
stances. Having  visited  aU  the  camps,  they  returned  to  the 
vaUey,  or  rather  to  where  they  met  the  President  and 
pioneers,  on  their  way  back  to  Winter  Quarters  on  the 
Missouri.  I  accompanied  them  back  nearly  one  day's  ride 
on  the  way,  and  then  bid  them  God  speed,  and  returned 
to  my  own  camp.  Soon  after  this  our  fifty  met  the  Presi- 
dent and  company  of  pioneers  and  camped  with  them  one 
day. 

A  councU  was  caUed,  in  which  I  was  highly  censm-ed 
and  chastened  by  President  Young  and  others.  This  arose 
in  part  from  some  defect  in  the  organization  under  my 
superintendence  at  the  Elk  Horn,  and  in  part  from  other 
misunderstandings  on  the  road.  I .  was  charged  with 
neglecting  to  observe  the  order  of  organization  entered 
into  under  the  superintendence  of  the  President  before  he 
left  the  camps  at  Winter  Quarters  j  and  of  variously 
interfering  with  previous  arrangements.  In  short,  I  was 
severely  reproved  and  chastened.  I  no  doubt  deserved 
this  chastisement  5  and  I  humbled  myself,  acknowledged 
my  faults  and  en-ors,  and  asked  forgiveness.  I  was  frankly 
forgiven,  and,  bidding  each  other  farewell,  each  company 
passed  on  their  way.      This  school  of  experience  made  me 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY    OF    PARLEY    P.     PRATT.  401 

more  humble  and  careful  in  fature,  and  I  think  it  was  the 
means  of  making  me  a  wiser  and  better  man  ever  after. 

After  bidding  farewell  to  the  President  and  pioneers, 
and  to  my  own  brother,  Orson  Pratt,  who  was  one  of 
them,  we  continued  our  journey ;  and  after  many  toUs^ 
vexations  and  trials,  such  as  breaking  wagons,  losing 
cattle,  upsetting,  etc.,  we  arrived  in  the  Valley  of  Great 
Salt  Lake  late  in  September,  1847.  Here  we  found  a  fort 
commenced  and  partly  built  by  the  pioneers,  consisting  of 
an  enclosure  of  a  block  of  ten  acres  with  a  wall,  or  in 
part  of  buildings  of  adobes  or  logs.  We  also  found  a 
city  laid  out  and  a  public  square  dedicated  for  a  Temple 
of  God.  We  found  also  much  ground  i)lanted  in  late 
crops,  which,  however,  did  not  mature,  being  planted  late 
in  July;  although  there  were  obtained  for  seed  a  few 
small  potatoes,  fi^om  the  size  of  a  pea  upward  to  that  of 
half  an  inch  in  diameter.  These  being  sound  and  planted 
another  year  produced  some  very  fine  potatoes,  and,  finally, 
contributed  mainly  in  seeding  the  territory  with  that 
almost  indispensable  article  of  food. 

After  we  had  arrived  on  the  ground  of  Great  Salt 
Lake  City  we  pitched  our  tents  by  the  side  of  a  spring 
of  water  ;  and,  after  resting  a  little,  I  devoted  my  time 
chiefly  to  building  temporary  houses,  putting  in  crops, 
and  obtaining  fiiel  from  the  mountains. 

Having  repented  of  our  sins  and  renewed  oar  cov- 
enants. President  John  Taylor  and  myself  administered  the 
ordinances  of  baptism,  etc.,  to  each  other  and  to  our  families, 
according  to  the  example  set  by  the  President  and  pioneers 
who  had   done  the  same  on  entering  the  valley. 

These  solemnities  took  place  with  us  and  most  of  our 
families,  ISTovember  28,   1847. 

Some  time  in  December,  having  finished  sowing  wheat 
and  rye,  I  started,  in  company  with  a  brother  Higby  and 
others,  for  Utah  Lake  with  a  boat  and  fish  net.  We 
travelled  some    thirty  miles  with  our  boat,  etc.,   on  an  ox 

26 


40^ 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


wagon,  while  some  of  us  rode  on  horseback.  This  dis- 
tance brought  us  to  the  foot  of  Utah  Lake,  a  beautiful 
sheet  of  fresh  water,  some  thirty- six  miles  long  by  fifteen 
broad.  Here  we  launched  oiu-  boat  and  tried  our  net, 
being  probably  the  first  boat  and  net  ever  used  on  this 
sheet  of  water  in  modem  times. 

We  sailed  up  and  down  the  lake  shore  on  its  western  side 
for  many  miles,  but  had  only  poor  success  in  fishing. 
We,  however,  caught  a  few  samples  of  mountam  trout 
and  other  fish. 


GREAT     SALT     LAKE. 

After  exploring  the  lake  and  vaUey  for  a  day  or  two 
the  company  returned  home,  and  a  brother  Summers  and 
myself  struck  westward  fi^om  the  foot  of  the  lake  on 
horseback,  on  an  exploring  tour.  On  this  tour  we  dis- 
covered and  partly  explored  Cedar  VaUey,  and  there 
crossed  over  the  west  mountain  range  and  discovered  a 
vaUey  beyond;  passing  through  which  we  crossed  a  range 
of  hiUs  northward,  and  entered  Tooelle  Yalley.  Passing 
stiU  northward,  we  camped  one  night  on  a  bold  mountain 
stream,    and    the   next  day  we   came   to    the   southern  ex- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


403 


treme  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  and  passing  round  between  it 
and  the  west  moimtain  we  journeyed  in  an  eastern  course, 
and,  crossing  the  Jordan,  arrived  in  Salt  Lake  City — hav- 
ing devoted  nearly  one  week  to  our  fishing,  hunting  and 
exploring  expedition.  During  all  this  time  we  had  fine 
weather  and  warm  days  ;  but  the  night  we  arrived  home 
was  a  cold  one,  with  a  severe  snow  storm.  And  thus 
closed  the  year  1847. 


CHAPTER      XLVI. 

Spring    of    1848  : — Scarcity    of    Provisions  : — "  Harvest    Feast :" — Arrival    of 
President  Young   and   Company : — G-old  Fever  : — Explore   Southern   Utah. 

January  1st,  1848. 

THE  opening  of  the  year  found  ns  and  the  community 
generally  in  good,  comfortable,  temporary  log  or  adobe 
cabins,  which  were  built  in  a  way  to  enclose  the  square 
commenced  by  the  pioneers,  and  a  portion  of  two  other 
blocks  of  the  city  plot.  Here  life  was  as  sweet  and  the 
holidays  as  merry  as  in  the  Christian  palaces  and  man- 
sions of  those  who  had  driven  us   to  the  mountains. 

In  February  we  again  commenced  to  plough  for  spring 
crops,  while  I  had  the  happiness  to  behold  the  tender  blade 
of  my  wheat  and  rye  clothing  a  few  acres  with  a  beautiful 
green,  pleasingly  contrasted  with  the  gray;  wild,  wormwood 
and  other  traits  of  our  dreary  solitude ;  while  similar 
pleasing  sights  stretched  away  in  the  distance,  marking 
the    bounds    of   agriculture  as    possessed    by  my  neighbors. 

March  2oth. — My  oldest  son  Parley  celebrated  his  birth- 
day with  a  family  party — being  then  eleven  years  of   age. 

After  dinner,  in  presence  of  the  assembled  family,  I  re- 
lated the  circumstances  of  his  being  a  promised  child, 
with  an  account  of  his  birth,  his  history,  and  the  death 
of  his  mother.  I  reminded  him  tliat  he  was  my  iirst 
born — my  heir,  both  to  estate  and  priesthood.  I  exhorted 
him  to  prepare  to  walk  in  my  footsteps,  and  to  do  good 
and  serve  God  and  his  fellow  men  by  a  well  ordered 
life,  and  by  laying  hold  of  knowledge  and  a  good  educa- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      405 

tion.  I  rehearsed  to  liini  my  own  sufferings,  and  the  suf- 
fermgs  of  my  family,  and  of  the  Church  while  in  the 
States — telling-  him  of  the  murder  of  our  prophets  and 
saints,  and  how  we  had  been  driven  to  the  mountains, 
robbed  and  plundered  of  a  very  large  amount  of  property 
and  possessions.  The  day  was  spent  most  pleasantly  and 
profitably  by  all. 

I  continued  my  farming-  operations,  and  also  attended  to 
my  ministry  in  the  Church.  Devoting-  my  Sabbaths  and 
leisure  hours  to  comforting  and  encoiu^ag-ing  the  saints,  and 
lU'ging  them  to  faith  and  persevering-  industry  iii  ti-ying- 
to  produce  a  first  harvest  in  a  desert  one  thousand  miles 
from  the  nearest  place  which  had  matured  a  crop  in 
modern  times. 

We  had  to  struggle  against  great  difficulties  in  trying 
to  matm-e  a  first  crop.  We  had  not  only  the  difficulties 
and  inexperience  incidental  to  an  unknown  and  untried 
climate,  but  also  swarms  of  insects  equal  to  the  locusts  of 
EgJTt,  and  also  a  terrible  drought,  while  we  were  entirely 
inexperienced  in  the  art  of  krigation  5  still  we  struggled 
on,  trusting  in  God. 

During  this  spring  and  summer  my  family  and  myself, 
in  common  with  many  of  the  camp,  suffered  much  for 
want  of  food.  This  was  the  more  severe  on  me  and  my 
family  because  we  had  lost  nearly  all  our  cows,  and  the 
few  which  were  spared  to  us  were  dry,  and,  therefore,  we 
had  no  milk  to  help  out  our  provisions.  I  had  ploughed 
and  subdued  land  to  the  amount  of  near  forty  acres,  and 
had  cultivated  the  same  in  grain  and  vegetables.  In  this 
labor  every  woman  and  child  in  my  family,  so  far  as  they 
were  of  sufficient  age  and  strength,  had  joined  to  help  me, 
and  had  toiled  incessantly  in  the .  field,  suffering  every 
hardship)  which  human  nature  could  well  eudiu^e.  Myself 
and  some  of  them  were  compelled  to  go  with  bare  feet 
for  several  months,  reserving  our  Indian  moccasins  for  extra 
occasions.      We  toiled  hard  and  lived  on  a  few  gTeens  and 


406  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF    PARLEY    P.     PRATT. 

on  thistle  and  other  roots.  We  had  sometimes  a  little 
flour  and  some  cheese,  and  sometimes  we  were  able  to  pro- 
cure from  oiu?  neighbors  a  little  sour  skimmed  milk  or 
buttermilk. 

In  this  way  we  lived  and  raised  our  first  crop  in  these 
valleys.  And  how  great  was  our  joy  in  partaking  of  the 
first  fruits  of  our  industry. 

On  the  10th  of  August  we  held  a  public  feast  under  a 
bowery  in  the  centre  of  our  fort.  This  was  called  a  har- 
vest feast  ;  we  partook  freely  of  a  rich  variety  of  bread, 
beef,  butter,  cheese,  cakes,  pastry,  green  corn,  melons,  and 
almost  every  variety  of  vegetable.  Large  sheaves  of  wheat, 
rye,  barley,  oats  and  other  productions  were  hoisted  on 
poles  for  public  exhibition,  and  there  was  prayer  and 
thanksgiving,  congratulations,  songs,  speeches,  music,  dan- 
cing, smiling  faces  and  merry  hearts.  In  short,  it  was  a 
great  day  with  the  people  of  these  vaUeys,  and  long  to  be 
remembered  by  those  who  had  suffered  and  waited  anxiously 
for  the  results  of  a  first  effort  to  redeem  the  interior  des- 
erts of  America,  and  to  make  her  hitherto  unknown  soli- 
tudes  "  blossom  as  the  rose." 

During  this  autunm  our  little  colony  was  reinforced  by 
the  arrival  of  President  Yoimg  and  family,  accompanied 
with  large  trains  of  emigrants,  amounting  in  all  to  several 
thousands.  Under  his  wise  counsels  city  lots  were  given 
out,  and  people  began  to  build  on  them  and  vacate  the 
forts.  I  obtained  some  lots  south  of  the  Temple  square 
and  built  a  temporary  adobe  house,  where  I  soon  removed 
with  most  of  my  family.  Here,  in  our  new  habitation,  we 
spent  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

January  1st,  1849.— Our  city  now  began  to  take  form  and 
shape,  and  to  be  dotted  here  and  there  \Aith  neat  little 
cottages,  or  small  temporary  buildings,  composed  of  adobes 
or  logs.  The  roofs  were  generally  of  poles  or  timbers 
covered  with  earth.  Saw  mills  were  now  in  operation  and 
a   few   boards    were   obtained    for   floors,    doors,  etc.     Our 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY    OF  •PARLEY    P.     PRATT.  407 

happy  new  year  passed  off  merrily,  and  we  were  probably 
as  liappy  a  people  as  could  be  found  on  the  earth. 

February  12tJi. — I  met  in  council  with  the  First  Presidency 
and  members  of  the  Twelve,  in  which  certain  vacancies  in 
our  quorum  were  filled.  We  were  then  instructed  to  assist 
in  reorganizing  the  different  quorums  here,  and  in  establish- 
ing righteousness.  We  accordingly  met  with  the  Presi- 
dency almost  daily,  and  proceeded  to  organize  and  ordain 
the  Presidency  of  the  High  Priests,  quorum,  the  Presidency 
of  the  Stake  at  Salt  Lake  City,  with  its  High  Coimcil,  and 
to  divide  the  city  and  country  into  wards  and  ordain  a 
bishop  over  each.  In  these  and  similar  duties,  and  in 
meeting  with  my  quorum  and  teaching  and  preaching  in 
the  several  branches  of  the  Church  my  time  was  chiefly 
spent  until  spring. 

March  lotJi. — I  was  appointed  by  a  General  Convention  as 
one  of  a  committee  of  ten  to  draft  a  constitution  for  the 
Provisional  State  of  Deseret. 

March  18th. — The  committee  reported,  and  the  Convention 
unanimously  adopted  the  constitution. 

I  devoted  the  fore  part  of  the  summer  to  farming  ;  but, 
my  crop  failing,  I  commenced  in  July  to  work  a  road  up 
the  rugged  Kanyon  of  Big  Kanyon  Creek.  I  had  the  pre- 
vious year  explored  the  Kanyon  for  that  purpose,  and  also 
a  beautiful  park,*  and  passes  from  Salt  Lake  City  to  Weber 
Kiver  eastward,  in  a  more  southern  and  less  rugged  route 
than  the  pioneer  entrance  to  the  valley.  EmigTants  now 
came  pouring  in  from  the  States  on  their  way  to  Califor- 
nia to  seek  gold.  Money  and  gold  dust  was  plenty,  and 
merchandise  of  almost  every  description  came  i)ouring  into 
our  city  in  great  plenty. 

I  soon  so  far  completed  my  road  as  to  be  able  to  obtain 
a  large  amount  of  fuel  and  timber.  In  November  I  ceased 
operations  in  the  Kanyon  and  broke  up  my  mountain  camp 
and  returned  to  the  city. 

*  Since  called  Parley's  Park. 


408 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


I  now  received  a  commission  from  the  Governor  and 
Legislative  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Deseret  to  raise  fifty 
men,  with  the  necessary  teams  and  outfit,  and  go  at  their 
head  on  an  exploring  tour  to  the  southward. 

This  company  was  soon  raised,  armed,  equipped,  and 
ready  for  a  march  into  the  dreary  and  almost  unknown 
regions  of  Southern  Utah. 

I  will  here  give  the  list  of  names  composing  the  com- 
pany, and  also  a  short  summary  of  the  report  that  I  gave 
in  to  the  Legislative  Assembly  on  our  return. 

Parley  P.  Pratt,  President. 
W.  W.  Phelps,  D.  Fulmer,  Counsellors. 
Feb.  7th,  1850.  Eobert  L.  Campbell,  ClerJc. 


FIRST  ten. 
Isaac  C.  Haight,  Captain. 
Parley  P.  Pratt, 
William  Wadsworth, 
Eufus  Allen, 
Chauncey  West, 
Dan.  Jones, 
Hial  K.  Gay, 
George  B.  Mabson, 
Samuel  Gould, 
Wm.  P.  Yance. 

SECOND  TEN. 

Joseph  Matthews,  Captain. 
John  BroAvn, 
Nathan  Tanner, 
Sterling  G.  Driggs, 
Homer  Duncan, 
Wm.  Matthews, 
Schuyler  Jennings, 
John  H.  Bankhead, 
John  D.  Holiday, 
Robert  M.  Smith. 


THIRD  TEN. 

Joseph  Horn,  Captain. 
Wm.  Brown, 
George  Nebiker, 
Benjamin  P.  Stewart, 
Alexander  Wright, 
James  Farrer, 
Henry  Heath, 
Seth  B.  Tanner, 
Alexander  Lemon, 
David  Fulmer. 

FOURTH  TEN. 

Ephraim  Green,  Captain. 
Wm.  W.  Phelps, 
Charles  Hopkins, 
Sidney  Willis, 
Andrew  Blodgett, 
Wm.  Heniy, 
Peter  Dustin, 
Thomas  Ricks, 
Robert   Campbell, 
Isaac  H.  Brown. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY      P.     PRATT.  409 

FIFTH  TEN. 

Josiah  Ainold,  Captain.  Stephen  Taylor, 

Joiiathau  Packer,  Isaac  B.  Hatch, 

Christopher  WilUams,        *  Johu  C.  Armstrong, 

Dimick  B.  Huntington. 

Our  company  had  12  wagons;  1  carriage;  24  yokes  of 
cattle;    7  beeves;  number  of  horses  and  mules,  38. 

Average  in  floiu^,  150  lbs.  to  each  man ;  besides  crackers, 
bread  and  meal.  One  brass  field  piece;  firearms;  ammu- 
nition in  proportion. 

At  Captain  John  Brown's,  on  Cotton  Wood,  23d  of  No- 
vember, 1849,  at  2  P.  M.,  a  meeting  of  the  company  for 
exploring  the  south  was  convened.  Called  to  order  by  P. 
P.  Pratt,  who  gave  instructions  relative  to  the  necessity  of 
peace,  order  and  good  feeUngs  bemg  preserved  during  this 
expedition.  Supported  in  this  by  W.  W.  Phelps  and  Da\id 
Fulmer. 

Voted,  that  Parley  P.  Pratt  be  President  of  the  com- 
pany. That  W.  W.  Phelps  and  David  Fulmer  be  his 
Counsellors ;   carried  unanimously. 

Voted,  That  John  Bro^ii  be  Captain  of  Fifty;  carried 
unanimously. 

Voted,  That  W.  W.  Phelps  act  as  TopogTaphical  En- 
gineer; carried  unanimously. 

Voted,  That  Ephraim  Green  be  Chief  Gunner;  carried 
unanimously. 

During  our  exploring  expedition  we  encountered  severe 
weather,  deep  snows,  and  many  hardships  and  toils  incident 
to  such  an  undertaking.  We  explored  the  best  portions 
of  the  country  south  from  Great  Salt  Lake  City  to  the 
mouth  of  Santa  Clara,  on  the  Eio  Virgin,  which  is  a  prin- 
cipal branch  of  the  Eio  Colorado.  Our  distance  in  going 
and  returning  was  (coimting  the  direct  travelled  route  as 
afterward  opened),  between  seven  or  eight  hundred  miles. 
In  much   of  this   distance   we  made   the   first  track;    and 


410      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

even  the  portion  which  had  before  been  penetrated  by 
wagons  was  so  completely  snowed  under  that  we  seldom 
found  the  trail. 

It  was  during  these  toUs,  and  perils,  and  amid  the  snows 
of  these  regions,  that  I  composed  the  song,  beginning,  "O 
come,  come  away,  from  northern  blasts  retiring,"  which  be- 
came a  favorite  with  the  singers  in  camp,  and  seemed  to 
beguile  tiie  tedious  winter  evenings  around  our  camp  fires. 
I  here  give  a  few  extracts  from  my  journal  while  on 
our  return  trip: 

January  21sf.— Having  been  on  our  homeward  journey  for 
some  twenty  days,  and  it  snowing  severely,  we  remained  in 
camp.    This  day  I  was  taken  very  sick  of  a  bilious  attack, 
and   was    confined  to    my   bed.     We    held    a   council,   and 
finding  that  our  provisions  would   only   sustain  half  of  our 
company  till    spring,    and    traveUing  with  the  wagons  was 
impossible,   we  decided    upon  leaving  half  the  company  to 
Avinter  there  with    the  wagons    and  cattle,    and    the    other 
half,  with  some  of  the  strongest  mules  and  horses,  should 
attempt  to  reach  Provo— the  southern  frontier— distance  up- 
wards of  one  hundred  mUes.    The  company  that  remained 
were  mostly  young  men  without    families.      My  counsellor, 
David  Fulmer,   being  placed  in  command. 

It  was  in  a  country  of  shrub  cedars,  which  would  afford 
some  shelter  for  the  animals,  and  richly  clothed  in  bunch 
grass,  and  some  portions  of  the  hill  sides  where  the  snow 
had  blown  off  being  nearly  bare,  the  cattle  could  live. 

January  22d-In  the  morning  I  was  stiU  sick,  but  about 
noon  bid  farewell  to  those  who  stayed,  mounted  a  mule, 
and,  with  upwards  of  twenty  men  and  animals,  we  com- 
menced our  wallowing  in  the  snow.  We  made  about  nine 
miles,  and  camped  in  a  cedar  thicket.  Being  unable  longer 
to  sit  on  my  mule,  or  stand  on  my  feet,  the  snow  was 
shoveUed  away,  some  blankets  spread,  and  I  lay  down. 
I  had  not  eaten  one  mouthful  for  a  day  or  two,  but  vom- 
ited many  times  very  severely. 


AUTOBIOaRAPHr  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT,      411 
s 

Wednesday^  23(?. — I  was  better,  and  we  agaiu  started,  the 
snow  being  from  three  to  four  feet  deep  on  a  level.  The 
men  went  ahead  on  foot,  the  entire  company,  men  and  ani- 
mals, making  but  one  track.  The  person  breaking  the  track 
would  tire  out  in  a  few  moments,  and,  giving  place  to 
another,  would  fall  into  the  rear.  This  day  we  made 
nine  or  ten  mdes,  and  camped  in  a  mountain  pass,  thir- 
teen miles   south  of  the  Sevier  River. 

Thursday,  2Uli. — It  was  long  after  night  when  we  wal- 
lowed into  camp,  waist  deep  in  snow ;  and,  shovelling 
away  the  snow,  we  made  fires,  spread  our  blankets,  and 
sank  down  to  rest,  being  entirely  exhausted — om-  animals 
either  tied  to  cedar  bushes  without  food,  or  wallowing  up 
the  hills  in  search  of  bare  spots  of  bunch  grass. 

Friday,  25th. — We  were  obliged  to  leave  several  of  our 
animals  which  gave  out.  We  passed  through  Eound  Valley 
made  about  ten  miles,  camped  on  the  heights,  some  four 
miles  south  of  the  Sevier.  It  was  still  snowing;  our  ani- 
mals foimd  some  bunch  grass  on  the  hill  sides. 

Saturday,  26th. — In  the  morning  we  found  ourselves  so 
completely  buried  in  sno^'  that  no  one  could  distinguish 
the  place  where  we  lay.  Some  one  rising,  began  shovelhng 
the  others  out.  This  being  found  too  tedious  a  business, 
I  raised  my  voice  like  a  trumpet,  and  commanded  them  to 
arise ;  when  all  at  once  there  was  a  shaking  among  the 
snow  piles,  the  gTaves  were  opened,  and  all  came  forth ! 
We  called  this  Resurrection  Camp.  Passing  on,  we  forded 
the  Sevier,  and  camj)ed  on  the  heights,  six  or  seven  miles 
north  of  the  same,  the  snow  this  day  being  much  less. 

Sunday,  21th. — Our  provisions  being  nearly  exhausted, 
Chauncey  West  and  myself  volunteered  to  take  some  of  the 
strongest  animals  and  try  to  penetrate  to  Provo,  which 
was  still  some  fifty  miles  distant,  in  order  to  send  back 
provisions  to  the  remainder,   who  were  to  follow  slowly. 

We  started  at  dayUght,  breaking  the  way  on  foot,  and 
leading  the  mules  in  our  track,  and  sometimes  riding  them. 


412      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Travelled  all  day,  averaging  about  knee  deep  in  snow. 
Camped  at  eleven  at  night  on  Summit  Creek,  extremely 
hungry  and  feet  badly  frozen.  We  built  a  small  fire,  it 
being  the  coldest  night  we  had  ever  experienced,  and  after 
trying  in  vain  to  thaw  out  our  frozen  shoes,  stockings  and 
the  bottoms  of  oui*  drawers  and  pants,  we  rolled  ourselves 
in  oiu'  blankets,  and  lay  trembling  with  cold  a  few  hours. 

Monday,  2Sth. — Arose  long  before  day  ;  bit  a  few  mouth- 
fuls  off  the  last  black  frozen  biscuit  remaining.  Saddled 
up  our  animals,  and,  after  another  laborious  day,  h^ing 
on  a  piece  of  biscuit  not  so  large  as  ovu"  fist,  we  entered 
Provo  at  dark  ;  raised  a  posse  of  men  and  animals,  with 
pro\i.sions,  and  sent  back  same  night. 

These  picked  up  one  of  our  men,  whose  name  was 
Taylor,  who  had  wandered  off  ahead  of  the  rest,  and  had 
reached  within  some  eight  miles  of  Provo.  They  found 
him  sunk  down  in  the  snow,  in  a  helpless  condition,  his 
horse  standing  by  him,  and  both  nearly  frozen  to  death. 
He  lived,  but  in  a  measure  lost  the  use  of  his  limbs. 

This  relief  company  met  those  we  had  left  behind  some- 
where in  the  southern  end  of  Utah  Valley,  some  twenty 
miles  from  Provo.  They  were  entirely  out  of  food  and 
very  faint  and  weary.  They  were  plentifully  supplied  and 
safely  conducted  to  the  settlement. 

I  rested  a  day  or  two  in  Provo  and  then  started  again 
for  home.  After  riding  thirty-six  miles  on  a  mule,  I  took 
supper  with  a  friend  in  Cottonwood,  and,  lea\Tng  the  mule, 
started  at  sundown  and  walked  the  other  ten  miles  w^hich 
brought  me  once  more  to  my  home.  This  was  about  the 
1st  of  February,  1850. 

The  company  we  had  left  with  the  wagons  and  oxen 
wintered  themselves*  and  cattle  very  well,  and  finally  arrived 
home  in   safety  in  March  following. 

After  my  return  from  my  southern  exploring  expedition 
I  reentered  the  Legislatui-e  and  continued  my  duties  as  a 
member  of  that  body  until  its  annual  adjouinment. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


413 


Some  time  in  this  month  I  again  commenced  work  on 
my  road  in  Big  Kanyon  Creek,  and  in  getting  out  timber 
and  wood  from  the  same.  I  continued  this  operation  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  season — obtaining  much  building 
and  fencing  timber  and  a  large  quantity  of  poles.  In 
July  I  had  so  far  completed  the  road  as  to  open  it  for 
the  California  emigration.  The  amount  of  toll  taken  this 
first    season  was  about  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 

The  following  winter,  being  reelected  to  the  Legivslative 
Assembly  of  the  State  of  Deseret,  I  devoted  much  of  the 
time  in  the  dnties  thereof.  I  also  continued  in  the  du- 
ties of  my  priesthood.  And,  lest  any  time  should  run  to 
waste,  I  filled  up  the  interstices  not  otherwise  occupied,  in 
the  study  of  the  Spanish  language. 

During  this  winter  I  was  called  by  the  First  Presidency 
and  set  apart  to  take  charge  of  a  General  Mission  to  the 
Pacific.  I  composed  a  song,  which  was  sung  before  the 
congTegation  in  the  Tabernacle,  on  the  occasion  of  our  de- 
parture on  this  mission,  commencing 

"  Holj,  happy,  pure   and   free,"  etc. 

I  now  close  this  chapter  of  my  history  by  saying  that 
my  life  np  to  this  date  has  been  an  eventful  one,  some- 
what hurried  and  laborious  ;  and,  if  "  variety  is  the  spice 
of  life,"  I  think  it  may  truly  be  called  a  spicy  one 
— which  circumstance  will  account  for  the  imperfect  sketch 
I  have  written  of  it 


CHAPTER    XLYII. 

Start  oa  my  Pacific  Mission: — Sketch  of  the  Journey: — Attacked  by  Indians: 
^Orossing  the  Desert: — Arrival  at  Los  Angelos. 

March  16th,  1851. 

T  LEFT  Great  Salt  Lake  City  for  the  Pacific,  on  a 
-■-  mission  to  its  islands  and  coasts,  being  commissioned 
and  set  apart  for  that  work  by  the  First  Presidency  of 
the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-Day   Saints. 

Passing  through  various  settlements,  and  visiting  the 
brethren,  I  arrived  at  Fort  Utah,  and  assisted  the  Presi- 
dency to  organize  a  stake  of  Zion,  with  its  High  Council 
and  other  officers,   and  to  ordain  and  set  them  aiiart. 

Friday,  21st. — I  took  leave  of  my  friends  and  pursued 
my  journey  on  horseback,  twenty-eight  miles  to  Peteetneet, 
where  I  overtook  my  teams,  and  spent  Saturday  in  organ- 
izing the  company  with  which  we  journeyed.  Their  outfit 
consisted  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  wagons.  Most 
of  the  company  were  emigrating  with  C.  C.  Kich  and  A. 
Lyman  to  Southern  California. 

My  own  party  of  missionaries  consisted  of  the  following 
Elders,  viz. :  John  Murdock,  Eufus  Allen,  Wm.  Perkins, 
S.  Woodbury,  F.  H.  Hammond,  P.  B.  Wood,  Mr.  Hopkins 
and  Morris  Miner. 

Mr.  Perkins,  Mr.  Woodbury,  Mr.  Hammond  and  Mr.  Hop- 
kins were  accompanied  by   a  wife  each,  as  weU  as  myself. 

Monday,  2Uh. — We  commenced  our  journey  from  Peteet- 
neet organized  in  companies  of  tens,  fifties  and  one.  hun- 
dred—fifty journeying  together. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PARTT.      415 

Our  fifty,  coinmauded  by  Captain  Seely,  travelled  six 
miles  to  Summit  Creek. 

Tuesday^  15th. — I  took  a  walk  in  the  morning  about 
three  miles  and  ascended  a  beautiful  height,  which  afforded 
a  fair  view  (with  a  telescoj)e)  of  the  head  of  Utah  Lake 
and  the  valley  of  Salt  Creek,  which  enters  the  lake 
through  an  extensive  meadow  at  the  head  of  the  lake, 
forming  at  its  junction  a  beautifid  harbor  and  a  convenient 
beach  of  sand.  The  depth  of  water  not  kuown,  but  its 
deep  blue  color  intimated  sufficient  depth  for  small  crafts. 

About  two  miles  west  of  an  encampment  on  Summit 
Creek  I  discovered  a  beautiful  and  inexhaustible  stone 
quarry  of  blue  lime,  which,  both  for  building  and  lime, 
will  be  very  useful  and  convenient  to  the  settlement  which 
wdl  soon  grow  up  on  that  beautiful  site. 

Returning  to  camp,  we  journeyed  eleven  miles  to  Willow 
Creek — the  country  being  rich  in  grass,  and  watered  by 
Salt  Creek,  a  stream  of  one  and  a  half  rods  wide,  and 
several  large  springs  running  north  into  Utah  Lake. 

Friday,  28th. — I  ascended  a  ridge  of  mountaius,  and 
obtained  a  view  of  an  extensive  country  to  the  West, 
composed  of  desert  plains,  hills,  and  confused  fragments 
of  broken  mountain  chains,  without  fertility  or  anything 
to  redeem  or  enliven  this  landscape  except  the  windings 
of  the  Seviere  River  and  narrow,  grassy  bottoms.  And 
even  this  scene  soon  loses  itself  amid  the  black  and 
barren  hills   of  the   dreary  waste. 

This  day  we  passed  through  about  ten  miles  of  waste 
country,  with  some  grassy  spots  and  cedar  groves,  and 
encamped  on  the  Seviere  River. 

Saturday,  29th. — We  passed  the  ford,  three  feet  deep  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  wide — a  smooth  and  sluggish 
current — and  encamped  on  its  southern  bank. 

The  weather  bad,  with  squalls  of  snow  and  cold  winds. 
The  hills  afford  some  scattered  bunch  grass,  which  is  very 
good. 


416      AUTOBIOORAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Monday,  31st. — We  travelled  thirteen  miles  through  a 
pass  where  the  hills  were  very  rich  in  grass  and  fuel, 
and  full  of  fine  stone  quarries.  This  pass  was  five  miles 
from  the  river. 

Thence  through  a  valley  rich  in  grass  and  soil,  beauti. 
ful  and  extensive,  and  abundantly  supplied  with  fuel  on 
its  borders,  but  destitute  of  living  streams,  although  the 
melting  snows  of  its  bordering  mountains  supply  some 
streams  which  run  a  short  distance  at  certain  seasons  of 
the  year,  and  then  sink. 

April  1st. — Camp  divided  for  convenience  of  travel,  and 
General  Eich  and  myself,  with  twenty-three  wagons,  trav- 
elled thirteen  miles,  and  encamped  at  a  beautiful  spring 
brook,  among  grassy  hills,  interspersed  with  cedar,  like 
an  orchard. 

Our  road  to-day  led  through  a  pass  in  the  mountains 
by  a  gradual  ascent  for  about  three  miles,  and  then  down 
very  gradually  for  ten  miles  among  hills,  plains  and  little 
vales,  more  rich  in  bunch  grass  and  cedar  fuel,  and  more 
varied  and  beautiful  than  any  other  country  I  ever  beheld. 
Every  high  hill,  every  dell,  every  vale  or  nook  seemed 
richly  coated  with  a  living  green  of  rich  grass,  and  set 
about  with  cedars  from  twelve  to  twenty-five  feet  high, 
like  on   old    orchard. 

Its  northern  bounds,  limited  by  a  rocky  and  barren 
range  of  high  mountains  through  which  we  had  passed. 

Its  eastern  limit  was  a  snowy  and  timbered  range, 
which  divides  between  the  valley  where  we  were  and  the 
Seviere  Eiver,  which  heads  in  the  south,  near  the  rim  of 
the  Great  Basin,  in  a  beautiful  salmon  trout  lake,  sur- 
rounded with  lofty  pines  and  cedars,  and  runs  in  a  northerly 
direction,  till  it  sweeps  round  to  the  west  and  southwest,  and 
forms  a  lake  which  is  in  ^dew  from  our  camp,  and  appears 
like  a  silver  mirror  at  some  thirty  or  forty  miles  distance. 

I  arose  in  the  morning,  and  with  my  large  telescope 
viewed  from  an  eminence  the  vast  country  before  me. 

J  1  ,  ,  / 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAELEY  P.  PRATT.      417 

On  the  east  the  high  momitain  chains  at  several  miles 
distance  appears  snowy  and  timbered,  and  pierced  with 
gorges  accessible  for  roads  to  be  made  to  the  timber; 
and  giving  rise  to  several  streams  which  meander  through 
this  vast  valley  on  our  south  and  west,  and  enter  the 
lakes  or  sinks  in  their  own  rich  alluvials. 

To  our  southwest  and  northwest  the  view  is  almost 
boundless;  consisting  of  a  vast  valley  interspersed  with  fer- 
tile meadows,  desert  spots,  known  by  their  darker  hues; 
lakes,  rivulets,  distinguished  by  the  yellow  meadow  grasses 
and  red  willow  streaks ;  and  hills  here  and  there  dotted 
with  cedars,  and  the  whole  bounded,  in  the  vast  and  dim 
distance,  by  dark  moimtains  not  very  high.  Beyond  which, 
at  the  distance  of  perhaps  a  hundred  miles,  appear  other 
and  more  lofty  peaks  white  with  snow,  and  looking  up  like 
distant  white  clouds  on  the  horizon. 

Here  are  resources  for  farming,  stock  raising,  fuel,  etc., 
in  sight  of  our  present  encampment,  probably  more  than 
sufficient  to  sustain  the  present  population  of  Ehode  Island; 
and  yet,  not  a  domestic  animal,  except  those  of  the  pass- 
ing traveller,  or  a  human  T)eing,  save  the  occasional 
savage  in  his  wanderings,  occupies  any  portion  of  this 
wide  domain. 

Crossing  several  streams  in  the  same  large  valley,  all 
bordered  by  rich  lands,  we  at  length  left  the  valley  and 
journeyed  two  miles  over  a  hilly  country,  weU  supphed  with 
cedar  and  shrub  pines  for  fuel,  and  bunch  grass  for  feed, 
but  not  well  watered. 

Thence  a  few  miles  over  a  worthless  country  to  the 
Beaver  Eiver. 

This  is  a  large  stream,  swift  and  clear,  running  in  sev- 
eral branches  through  a  large  and  fertile  bottom;  the  soil 
of  which  appears  rich,  but  highly  impregnated  with  sale- 
ratus,  and  the  table  lands,  which  surround  it,  barren,  or 
nearly  destitute  of  pasturage. 

However,   I  think  the    place  worthy   of  settlement,    and, 

27 


418      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

probably,  containing  eight  or  ten  thousand  acres  of  land 
which  may  be  watered  and  cultivated. 

Leaving  this  place,  we  passed  another  long  stretch  of 
upland,  destitute  of  all  resources,  except  grass  and  fuel, 
which  were  abundant  in  places. 

We  were  at  length  met  by  Q.  A.  Smith  and  others,  from 
Little  Salt  Lake  settlement;  and  accompanied  by  them,  we 
all  arrived  on  Red  Creek,  in  the  same  vaUey.  Here  the 
cami)  found  water  and  grass  to  refresh  themselves  after  so 
wearisome  a  journey. 

April  10th. — Same  evening  I  arrived  in  the  fort,  accom- 
panied by  the  citizens,  who  came  out  to  meet  us.  I  found 
the  inhabitants  all  weU,  and  the  settlement  in  a  truly 
flourishing  condition.  Hundreds  of  acres  of  grain  had  been 
sown,  gardens  planted,  etc.,  and  the  farming  land  nearly 
enclosed;  together  with  a  most  substantial  saw  mill,  and 
many  houses  of  wood  and  of  sun  dried  brick,  built  and  in 
progress.  Building  materials  consisting  of  timber  of  the 
finest  quaUty,  viz. :  pine,  fir  and  cedar,  together  with  good 
building  stone  and  brick,  were  scattered  in  profusion  in 
every  direction. 

Water  ditches  were  flowing  for  mUls  and  irrigation  pur- 
poses in  many  directions. 

Mechanics'  shops  were  in  operation;  such  as  joiners, 
carpenters,  millwrights,  coopers,  blacksmiths,  shoemakers,  etc. 

All  this  was  the  work  of  two  or  three  months,  in  win- 
ter and  early  spring  ;  not  to  mention  a  large  enclosure  of 
pickets  in  the  centre  of  the  foit — a  council  house  of  hewn 
timber,  and  a  bastion  of  the  same  material. 

The  number  of  men  composing  the  settlement  and  j)er- 
forming  aU  this  work,  did  not  exceed  one  hundred  and 
twentj'  all  told,  including  old  men,  boys  and  Indian  ser- 
vants, just  being  tamed  and  initiated  into  the  first  rudi- 
ments of  industry. 

All  the  camps  moved  from  Red  Creek  and  encamped 
near  the  fort,  where  we  tarried  a  few  days. 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY     OF     PAULEY     P.     PRATT.  419 

April  12th. — Celebrated  my  birthday  by  a  feast  jointly 
provided  by  us  aud  G.  A.  Smith,  at  his  house.  Ten  or 
twelve  persons   sat  down  to  a  sumptuous  repast. 

April  14:th. — We  removed  to  Summit  Creek — distance 
seven  miles.  Here  we  tarried  one  week,  in  course  of 
which  the  rear  camj),  headed  by  Amasa  Lyman,  arrived  in 
good  contlition. 

Sunday,  20th, — AU  met  in  a  general  assembly,  to  worship 
God  and  to  edify  one  another ;  being  joined  by  the  people 
from  the  fort,  we  had  a  good  time.  The  Spirit  was  poured 
out  upon  us.  G.  A.  Smith  aud  others  spake  with  jjower 
in  the  Spirit  and  testimony  of  Jesus ;  rebuking  iniquity, 
worldly  mindedness,  unbelief,  profanity,  and  all  manner  of 
iniquity,  aud  exhorting  the  people  to  obey  the  servants  of 
the  Lord  in   all  righteousness. 

As  the  meeting  was  about  to  close  P.  B.  Lewis,  who 
lived  in  this  settlement,  was  set  apart  by  prayer,  prophecy 
and  the  laying  on  of  hands  of  the  four  Apostles  present, 
as  one  of  the  Pacific  missionaries.  He  had  already  moved 
into  camj)  with  his  wife  and  teams,  etc.,  to  accompany  us. 
We  travelled  eight  miles  to  a  stream  called  Coal  Creek. 
Encamped  and  built  a  bridge  across  the  deep  and  narrow 
channel,  about  foiu'  feet  wide,  and  tarried  here  next  day 
for  the  remainder  of  oiu'  company,  some  of  whom  had 
failed  to  obtain  their  animals  the  day  before. 

This  encampment  was  about  ten  miles  below  the  cross- 
ing of  the  same  stream  on  the  old  road.  I  had,  however, 
looked  out  a  new  route,  Avhich  would  save  some  eight  or 
ten  miles. 

This  stream  forms  a  rich  meadow  bottom,  of  about  fif- 
teen miles  long  and  two  broad. 

Abundance  of  cedar  fuel  and  rich  pasturage  is  found 
on  the  table  lands  which  liorder  this  bottom  j  and  ii'ou  ore 
abounds  a  few  miles  to  the  southwest,  not  to  mention  a 
large  cottonwood  grove  in  the  ui^per  i^art  of  the  meadow, 
and  a   canon  opening  into  the  mountains,   from  which  the 


420      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

stream  issues.    Taken  all  together,  this  place  combiaes  ma- 
terials for  a  large  settlement. 

Wednesday^  23d,  we  travelled  twenty  miles  without  water, 
over  hills  and  plains,  and  among  forests  of  cedar,  and  en- 
camped after  dark  at  a  spring,  having  regained  the  old 
road  a  few  miles  "before  encamping. 

While  the  cattle  were  feeding  I  ascended  an  eminence, 
and,  with  my  telescope,  viewed  the  largest  valley  I  had 
ever  seen  in  the  great  basin.  It  might  have  been  seventy 
miles  from  south  to  north,  and  thirty  miles  from  east  to 
west. 

Some  signs  of  water  and  rich  and  fertile  spots  ai)peared 
in  the  dim  distance ;  but,  generally  speaking,  it  was  a 
cheerless  monotony,  without  water,  and  clothed  in  the 
leaden  hue  of  the  desert. 

We  travelled  several  mUes  over  a  fine  table  land,  on 
east  of  said  valley,  which  still  stretched  away  some  thirty 
miles  to  the  west,  and  was  finally  bounded  by  a  low 
range  of  mountains  on  its  south  and  west,  and  these  again 
were  backed  by  a  still  higher  range  and  white  with  snow. 
Their  lofty  peaks,  at  fifty  or  sixty  miles  distance,  peepuig 
up  from  behind  the  nearer  hills  like  distant  clouds  on  tlie 
far  off  horizon. 

After  passing  a  few  mUes  of  very  hiUy  road  we  came 
down  ujion  a  small  stream,  which  heads  in  numerous 
spring  meadows  near  the  rim  of  the  basin,  on  the  divide 
between  it  and  the  Colorado.  Here  we  camped  to  rest 
on  Saturday  and  Sunday. 

This  Uttle  mountain  paradise  was,  by  the  present  road, 
three  hundred  and  eleven  mUes  from  the  Great  Salt  Lake 
City,  and  was  altogether  the  most  beautiful  place  in  all, 
the  route.  Some  thousand  or  fifteen  hundred  acres  of 
bottom,  or  meadow  lands,  were  spread  out  before  us  like  a 
green  carpet  richly  clothed  with  a  variety  of  grasses,  and 
possessing  a  soil  both  black,  rich  and  quick — being  a  mix- 
ture   of   sand,   gravel    and    clayey    loam,  and    the    decayed 


AtTTOBIOGEAPHY     OF     PARLEY    P.     PKATT.  421 

visitations  of  ages.  It  was  everywhere  moistened  with 
springs,  and  would  produce  potatoes,  vegetables  and  the 
smaller  grains  in  abundance  without  watering. 

The  surrounding  hills  were  not  abrupt,  but  rounded  off, 
presenting  a  variety  of  beauteous  landscapes,  and  every- 
where richly  clothed  with  the  choicest  kind  of  bunch 
grass,  and  bordered  in  their  higher  eminences  with  cedar 
and  nut  pine  sufficient  for  fuel. 

Afar  off,  behind  the  hills  in  the  east,  could  be  seen 
from  the  eminence  high,  snowy  mountains,  black  in 
places  with  tall  timber,  plainly  distinguishable  with  the 
telescope,  probably  from  ten  to  twenty  miles  distance. 

May  13th,  we  encamped  at  a  large  spring,  usually 
called  the  Yegas — havmg  travelled  nearly  two  hundred 
miles  since  the  foregoing  was  ^vlitten.  The  country  through 
which  we  have  passed  is  a  worthless  desert,  consisting  of 
mountains  of  naked  rock  and  barren  i^lains,  ^vith  the  ex- 
ception of  here  and  there  a  small  stream,  with  feed  suffi- 
cient for  our  cattle. 

The  longest  distance  without  water  is  about  fifty  miles, 
which  we  passed  on  Saturday  and  Sunday  last,  and  arrived 
here  safe  and  without  much  suffering.  We  have  as  yet  lost 
no  cattle  through  hunger,  thii^st,  or  fatigue.  Two  cows 
were  stolen  from  us  by  the  Indians  on  the  Bio  Virgin. 

The  place  where  we  now  are  is  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  from  the  coast  settlements  on  the  Pacific.  It 
is  well  watered,  abundance  of  grass,  and  would  admit  of 
a  small  settlement — say  one  or  two  hundi'ed  families — 
has  a  good  soil,  good  water  and  fuel,  but  no  building 
timber. 

The  same  remarks  would  apply  to  the  last  stream,  fifty- 
three  miles  from  this,  caUed  the  Muddy.  The  Indians 
already  raise  wheat  and  com  there. 

'Wednesday,  21st. — ^We  encamped  at  a  place  called  Besting 
Springs,  where  we  arrived  on  the  19th  after  dark. 

This  is  a  fine  place    for    rest    and    recruiting    animals — 


422 


AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OP  PAKLEY  P.  PEATT. 


being  a  meadow  of  rich  grass  and  sufficiently  extensive  to 
sustain  thousands  of  cattle.  The  water  is  sufficient  for 
all  travelling  puq^oses,  although  the  stream  is  small. 

Since  leaving  the  Vegas  we  have  travelled  seventy-five 
miles  through  a  most  horrible  desert,  consisting  of  moun- 
tain ridges  and  plains  of  naked  rock,  or  sand  and  gravel, 
and  sometimes  clay,  destitute  of  soil  or  fertility,  except  a 
few   small  springs  and  patches   of  grass. 


ATTACK     BY     IXDIAXS. 


The  weather,  contrary  to  our  expectations,  has  been 
universally  cool  since  we  left  the  Muddy  ;  thick  vests,  and 
sometimes  coats,  have  been  worn  in  the  noon  of  a  sunny 
day,  and  the  sun  has  been  sought  rather  than  the  shade. 
The  nights  have  all  been  cool,  and  some  of  them  as  cold 
in  the  middle  or  latter  part  of  May  as  the  nights  usually 
are  in  March  and  April  in  Great  Salt  Lake  City. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      423 

Twenty  miles  from  the  Vegas,  our  camj)  was  assailed  ia 
the  evening,  about  ten  o'clock,  by  a  shower  of  arrows 
from  the  savage  mountain  robbers  ;  some  of  which  passed 
near  mens'  heads  and  all  fell  promiscuously  among  men, 
women,  children  and  cattle,  but  did  no  injury.  Our 
men  mustered  and  returned  the  fire  without  effect. 

Afterwards,  in  the  same  place,  a  savage,  single  handed, 
made  his  way  among  the  cattle,  in  open  day,  while  they 
were  under  the  care  of  armed  herdsmen  and  shot  an  ox  and 
a  mule  ;  one  was  wounded  in  the  hip,  and  the  other  in 
the  leg  ;   but  they  are  both  doing   well. 

Friday,  2Sd. — Provided  with  water  and  hay  we  travelled 
on  fourteen  miles.  Eoad  heavy,  up  hill  and  sandy ;  day 
hot.  Arrived  at  Salt  Spring  gold  mines  towards  evening  ; 
water  brackish  ;  but  answered  for  stock  and  use. 

After  resting  for  a  few  hours  we  started  on  in  the 
evening  and  travelled  all  night,  with  the  exception  of 
short  intervals  of  rest.  The  hot  day  and  heavy  road  had 
so  harrassed  the  cattle  that  we  made  but  little    progress. 

Kext  morning  we  continued  to  travel,  finding  no  grass 
nor  water.  The  road  was  up  hill  for  ten  or  twelve  miles, 
and  rough  ;   the  day  rather  cool. 

Long  before  night  our  hay  and  water  were  consumed, 
and  the  camx)  in  a  suffering  condition.  Some  cattle  had 
given  out  entirely  ;  and  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  still  inter- 
vened between  us  and  water,  and  without  grass  sufficient 
to  feed  a  goat.  Six  or  eight  miles  of  the  way  was  still 
up  hill.      This  was  the  most  trying  time  of  aU. 

At  dark,  about  fourteen  miles  from  water,  onr  ten  was 
behind,  and  my  two  wagons  were  the  rear  of  all;  and 
some  of  my  oxen  had  already  failed.  We  still  rolled 
slowly,  resting  every  few  minutes.  We  soon  found  the 
different  portions  of  the  camj)  ahead,  halted,  and  lost  in 
slumber — every  man  and  beast,  by  common  consent,  sunk  in 
profound  slumber,  and  probably  dreaming  of  water  and 
feed  ahead. 


424  AXTTOBIOGEAPHY     OF    PAULEY    P.     PRATT. 

We,  viz.,  our  ten,  with,  some  exceptions,  slipped  quietly 
past  them,  and  resting  often  and  a  few  minutes  at  a  time 
continued  to  roll.  The  night  was  cool,  and  a  miraculous 
strength  seemed  to  inspire  the  cattle. 

At  suni'ise  next  morning  we  arrived  at  the  Bitter 
Springs  J  the  water  of  which,  was  about  as  palatable  as  a 
dose  of   salts. 

The  other  camps  followed  us  in,  and  by  ten  o'clock  all 
were  in,  except  tliree  oxea  left  by  the  way,  and  two 
wagons  with  their  loads,  left  twenty  miles  back. 

Men  and  animals  were  so  exhausted  that,  after  digging 
and  improving  the  water,  and  a  general  watering,  it  was 
ten  hours  or  more  before  the  cattle  were  driven  to  what 
little  feed  there  was,   a  mile  or  two  distant. 

I  rode  back  ten  miles  and  carried  water  and  feed  to 
two  animals,  and  tried  in  vaiii  to  drive  them  in. 

In  this  desert  we  had  travelled,  without  much  inter- 
mission, two  days  and  two  nights ;  during  which  we  had 
no  feed  nor  water,  excepting  that  which  we  carried  with 
us,  and  the  Salt  Springs,  and  the  Bitter  Springs,  and  a 
little  dry  feed  to  refresh  upon  after  this  toil — women  and 
children,  young  and  old,  and  old  men  walked  on  foot 
day  and  night. 

It  was  certainly  the  hardest  time  I  ever  saw;  but  we 
cried  unto  God,  and  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  asked 
Him  to  strengthen  us  and  our  teams,  and  He  did  so  in 
a  miraculous  manner,  and  we  were  saved  from  the  horrors 
of  the  desert. 

Wednesday,  28tJi, — ^We  arrived  on  the  Mohave  Eiver  in 
the  evening,  in  an  exhausted  condition ;  having  travelled 
thirty-one  mUes  without  water  or  much  rest.  The  day  had 
been  warm  and  some  two  or  three  cattle  gave  out,  and 
were  left  by  the  way. 

At  this  camp  we  found  plenty  of  water,  timber,  soil 
and  grass.  Those  appointed  to  the  Pacific  mission  (with 
the  exception  of  brother  Hopkins,  who  said  he  should  not 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       425 

fill  tlie  mission),  now  took  leave  of  brother  Eich  and 
company,  and  travelled  twelve  miles  up  the  Mohave,  and 
encamped  in  a  pleasant  place,   with    water,  feed  and  fuel. 

June  Is^.— Rested  Sunday.  At  two  o'clock  had  a  prayer 
meeting  in  the  shade  of  some  trees.  All  the  members  of  the 
mission  offered  themselves  in  prayer,  acknowledging  their 
faults  and  imperfections  5  seeking  the  remission  of  the 
same;  renewing  their  covenants  with  God  and  with  each 
other;  and  giving  thanks  to  Him  for  deliverance  from 
the  perils  of  the  desert,  and  praying  that  God  would 
graciously  open  the  way  for  the  further  prosecution  of 
the  appomted  mission.  AU  seemed  renewed  in  spirits, 
faith  and  union,  and  felt  blessed  of   the  Lord. 

Passing  on  our  journey  over  one  hundred  miles  we 
came  to  a  fine  farm,  which  had  wheat  and  other  grain, 
gardens,  and  even  bearing  fruit  trees,  etc.  We  also  found 
a  member  of  our  society  by  the  name  of  Crisman,  who,  with 
his  family  resided  on  the  place.  We  were  kindly  received, 
and,  after  resting  a  few  days,  obtained  a  team,  and  brother 
Wood  went  to  Los  Angelos,  thirty  miles,  to  obtam  sup- 
plies to  send  back.  We  sent  a  load  of  supphes  to  the 
companies  on  the  Mohave  Eiver,  and  then  moved  our 
camp  to  brother  Crisman's,  where  we  arrived  at  noon, 
and  were  received  with  welcome;  and  all  rejoiced  that 
our  desert  and  toilsome  joui-ney  was  at  an  end.  Having 
rested  the  last  week,  every  man  who  was  with  me  as 
a  fellow  missionary  accompanied  me  to  the  lone  hills, 
about  one  mile  from  camp,  where  in  solitude  we  joined 
in  prayer  with  all  the  energy  we  possessed;  praying  in 
turn,  and  asking  our  Father  in  Heaven,  in  the  ^name  of 
Jesus  Christ,  to  open  our  way,  to  guide  us  in  wisdom  in 
our  duties,  to  give  us  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  to 
supply  us  with  means  to  proceed  on  our  journey  in  His 
own  way,  and  in  His  own  time. 

We  also  remembered  our  families  before  the    Lord,    and 
all  the  authorities  and  interests  of   the  kingdom    of   God. 


426 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


Selling  some  of  our  cattle  and  one  wagon,  vre  journeyed 
seventeen  miles  and  encamped  on  a  smaU  stream  near 
some  hnis  of  wild  oats,  whicli  served  us  for  feed.  We 
also  pulled  several  bundles  to  fill  our  beds,  and  to  take 
with  us  to  Los  Angelos,  where  we  arriv^ed  in  the  evening 
of  the  10th  of  June. 

Several  Americans  called  on  us,  conversed  in  a  friendly 
manner,  and  seemed  much  interested  in  the  Mormon  set- 
tlement about  to  be  made.  More  particularly  as  to  the 
additional  security  this  population  would  afford  to  the 
peace   and  order  of  a  distracted  country. 


/^ 


CHAPTER    XL  y  III. 

Lo3   Angelos  :— CathoUc   Celebration  of  Corpus  Cliristi :— Arrival  iu    San  Fran- 
cisco :— Letter   to  President  B.    Young  :— Family  Letter. 


I 


OS  AKGELOS  is  a  fertile,  weU  watered,  and  delightful 
-^  valley  of  vineyards  and  orchard*,  with  a  fine  old 
Spanish  town— a  niixtme  of  American,  European,  Span- 
ish   and    Indian    population— and    has  been    cultivated    for 

eighty  years. 

Thursday,  19th.— I  attended  the  Catholic  celebration  of 
Corpus  Christi,  and  witnessed  perhaps  five  hundred  people 
of  all  ages,  sexes  and  colors,  the  Indian  blood  prevailing- 
three  priests  at  their  head— performing  the  various  cere- 
monief.  The  ladies  in  the  finest  dresses  I  ever  beheld  in 
any  country,  consisting  of  silks  and  satins  of  various  figures 
and  extreme  costliness;  white  muslm,  cambric,  etc.,  made 
in  fuU  dresses,  together  with  costly  silk  and  satin  shawls 
worn  over  the  head  and  enclosing  the  shoulders,  bosom 
and  waist,  leaving  only  the  face  in  view  ;  while  all  other 
portions  of  their  persons  were  buried  beneath  the  rich 
and  ample  folds  of  costly  apparel. 

In  these  cos%  robes  every  female  knelt  or  sat  on  the 
filthy  floor  of  earth  in  the  old  church  for  hours!  No 
seats,  carpets,  or  spreads  of  any  kind  ;  while  various  im- 
ages were  exhibited  in  turn,  and  were  worshipped  in 
humble  postures,  and  with  low  chants,  amid  the  dis- 
charges ,of  cannon  and  crackers,  the  beating  of  drums, 
and  the  tinkling  of  bells. 

Clouds  of  incense  rose  before  each  image,  and  perhaps 
one  hundred   candles    were    burning    at    midday.      AU    the 


428      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

men  were  also  dressed  in  their  best,  and  knelt  in  a  de- 
vout manner,  or  stood  in  a  reverent  posture  with  hats  off. 
^N^ot  one  changed  place,  or  was  seen  to  leave  the 
church,  although  the  services  lasted  for  hours,  without  one 
seat  or  other  convenience  whereon  to  rest. 

This  ended,  all  formed  in  procession  and  moved  around  the 
public  square,  beneath  the  beautiful  arches  richly  deco- 
rated, and  the  walk  lined  on  each  side  with  green  branches. 
At  proper  distances  were  placed  images  amid  costly- 
decorations,  before  which  all  fell  upon  their  knees,  and 
remained  for  a  length  of  time  prostrated  in  the  thick 
dust  with  all  their  finery,  chanting  hymns,  prajing  and 
worshipping,  while  crackers  were  discharged  in  profusion. 
Even  all  the  spectators  must  stand  in  the  broiling  sim  in 
the  roads  uncovered,  or  give  great  offence. 

In  a  few  days  brother  Wood  returned  from  the  rear 
camps  where  he  and  brother  Allen  had  been  with  provi- 
sions. Eeported  all  well  and  prosperous.  Brother  Lyman 
and  Rich   also  paid  us   a  visit,   and  some  others.* 

Brothers  Hammond,  Perkins,  Wood  and  Murdock  with 
their  baggage,  etc.,  started  for  the  landing  at  San  Pedro. 
The  remainder  tarried  to  complete  their  sales. 

Sioiday,  29th.— 1  preached  in  the  court  house  in  Los  An- 
gelos  to  some  forty  attentive  persons,  mostly  ^Vmerican 
gentlemen. 

Morulay,  30th. — I  sold  my  last  wagon  and  moved  down 
to  the  Port  at  San  Pedio.  Found  that  portion  of  the 
brethren  well  who  went  down  before,  and  camped  with 
them  on  the  beach. 

July  1th. — We  embarked  on  board  the  steamship  Ohio, 
and  set  sail  for  San  Francisco,  at  d  o'clock  P.  M. 

After  four  days'  rather  rough  passage,  we  arrived  in 
San  Francisco  on  the  11th  inst.  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Found  some  good  brethren  who  rendered  us  assistance  in 
various  ways.  Rented  a  house  the  same  day,  and  all 
moved  into  it  together. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      429 

Brothers  Lyman  and  Eicli  arrived  per  steamer  Goliah. 
We  visited  and  received  visits. 

Sunday,  20th.— 1  preached  at  eleven  A.  M.  in  a  large 
room,  a  goodly  number  of  persons  out  to  hear,  and  good 
attention.  Next  morning  we  repaired  to  the  water  and 
baptized  eight  persons,  and  the  same  evening  met  at  the 
house  of  brother  Winner  and  organized  a  branch  of  the 
Church,  confirming  the  above  persons. 

I  was  chosen  president  of  this  branch,  and  Philo  B. 
Wood,  clerk.  The  remainder  of  the  week  devoted  to 
writing  and  instructing  inquirers   who  caUed. 

I  wrote  the  following  letter  to  Elder  Addison  Pratt, 
Society  Isles: 

San  Francisco,  July,  26,  1851. 

Dear  Brother  Pratt  :  My  long  contemplated  mission 
to  the  Pacific  has  at  length  become  a  reality.  I  am  here, 
having  left  home  in  March  last.  Eight  of  us  are  here,  and 
wUl  go  to  the  Sandwich  Islands  and  elsewhere  as  the 
way  opens  and  the  Spirit  directs.  Brother  P.  B.  Lewis 
and  wife  would  have  sailed  for  your  islands  with  letters, 
etc.,  but  brothers  Clark  and  Thompkins  having  arrived, 
we  concluded  to  send  no  more  laborers  to  that  part  of 
the  vineyard    at  present. 

I  hold  the  presidency  of  all  the  islands  and  coasts  of 
the  Pacific,  under  the  direction  of  the  First  Presidency  of 
the  Church— to  open  the  door  to  every  nation  and  tongue, 
as  fast  as  the  Avay  is  prepared  and  the  Lord  directs,  for 
the  preaching  of   the  gospel  of   salvation. 

As  president  of  that  part  of  the  vineyard  you  will 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  people  as  fast  as  possible. 
Send  men  to  the  Friendly  Isles,  or  to  any  other  groups 
where  the  way  may  be  open,  and  as  circumstances  ^\111 
permit,  as  you  are  led  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  If  you  need 
more  laborers  send  to  me  at  this  place.  I  am  well 
known  here,  and  making  some  progress.    Also  make    your 


430 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


report  to  me  from  time  to  time,  and  ask  such  counsel  as 
you  may  need. 

Elder  PhiHp  B.  Lewis  wiU  sad  for  the  Sandwich  Islands, 
accompanied  by  his  wife,  brother  Hammond  and  wife,  and 
brother  TVoodbury  and  wife.  He  wHl  have  the  presidency 
of  those  islands.  It  would  be  well  if  you  would  corres- 
pond with  him. 

The  work  is  prospering  wonderfuUy  in  Deseret,  England, 
Wales,  Scotland,  Switzerland,  Italy,  Denmark,  Sweden, 
Norway,  etc.  Several  young  men  are  with  me  who  will 
go  to  Chili  and  Peru  in  due  time.  Bishop  Murdock  will 
also  go  soon  to  the  English  Colonies  in  New  Zealand,  Van 
Dieman's  Land,  or  New  Holland,  if  the  Lord  will. 

Oiu'  instructions  to  the  Elders  abroad,  everywhere,  are 
to  seek  the  Spirit  and  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  hum- 
ble prayer  and  faith  and  good  works.  Also,  to  take  no 
part  in  government  matters,  except  to  uphold  and  obey 
the  authorities  and  laws  of  every  nation  where  they  may 
labor,   and  teach  others   to   do  so. 

The  laws  of  the  country  we  are  in  will  govern  us  in 
aU  things  consistent  with  liberty  of  conscience,  freedom  of 
speech,  etc. 

With  sentiments  of  love  and  good  will  I  subscribe 
mjself. 

Tour  brother  in  the  gospel, 

Parley   P.   Pratt. 
San    Francisco,  July  26,  1851. 
To  His  Majesty  King   Ka3IAhamaha  and  the  People  of  the 
Sandicieh  Isles.    Greeting  : 

I  beg  leave  to  introduce  to  the  favorable  notice  of  your 
Majesty  and  subjects,   and  to   commend  to   your  proteciion 
hospitality   and    kind    consideration    the   following    persons' 
who  go   out  as  missionaries  and  residents  to   your  country: 

Elders  P.  B.   Lewis,  Francis  A.  Hammond  and   Stilhuan 
Woodbury,  with  their  -wives. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PKATT.      431 

These  persons  are  from  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 
Territory,  U.  S.,  and  have  been  selected  by  the  Presidency 
of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-Day  Saints  to 
fulfil    a  mission  to  the  Pacific. 

Mr.  Hammond  is  a  former  resident  and  artizan  of  your 
kingdom,  and  we  trust  is  favorably  known  to  your  Ma- 
jesty and  some  of  his  fellow  citizens.  We  can  confidently 
recommend  these  gentlemen  as  men  of  good  character, 
and    men  who    bring    good    news,   peace  and  good  will  to 

man. 

With  sentiments  of  high  consideration  and  esteem  for 
your  Majesty  and  the  people  of  your  realm,  I  have  the 
honor  to  subscribe  myself. 

Your  humble  servant  and  the  friend  of   man, 

P.  P.  Pratt, 

President  of  the  Pacific  Mission  of  the 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-Day  Saints. 

I  here  give  a  few  extracts  from  a  letter  to  President 
Brigham  Young: 

San  Francisco,  Augmt  28.  1851. 

President   Young. 

Dear  Brother :  I  am  well,  or  rather  so  as  to  be  able 
to  perform    my  daily  duties,   although  not    iu    good  health. 

I  arrived  iu  this  place  some  time  iu  July,  together 
with  those  who  accompanied  me  on  the  mission.  *  *  * 
*  *  *  If  the  Presidency  wishes  to  make  any  communi- 
cation on  any  subject,  letters  addressed  to  me  at  San 
Francisco,  California,  will  be  forwarded  to  me  to  Chih,  or 
elsewhere,  as  I  shall  not  leave  this  place  without  ap- 
pointing an  agent  to  receive  and  forward  all  papers  and 
communications. 

The  Sandwich  Islands  are  at  peace,  and  enjoy  a  free 
government.  We  have  sent  to  those  islands  three  addi- 
tional missionaries,  who,  sailed  on  the  sixth  day  of  August 


432      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

for  the  Port  of  Honolulu.  P.  B.  Lewis  is  appointed  to 
preside  over  that  mission. 

*  *  *  *  Since  I  have  arrived  here  I  have  been  dili- 
gent in  the  duties  of  my  calling  every  hour,  and  have 
called  upon  God  for  His  Spirit  to  help  me  with  all  the 
energy  I  possessed,  and  without  ceasing.  The  result  is,  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  has  been  upon  me  continually,  in 
such  light,  and  joy,  and  testimony  as  I  have  seldom  ex- 
perienced. 

Brothers  A.  Lyman  and  G.  C.  Eich  have  been  here  with 
me  some  of  the  time ;  we  have  called  together  the  old 
members  and  others,  and  preached  repentance  and  reforma- 
tion of  life.  We  have  re-baptized  many  of  them,  and  have 
re-organized  the  Church.  Several  new  members  are  being 
added — some  of  whom  are  young  people  of  the  old  mem- 
bers, and  others  are  strangers  from  different  countries.  We 
are  upwards  of  fifty  members  in  number.  We  have  preach- 
ing twice  a  day  on  Sundays  in  a  large  theatre  in  the 
centre  of  the  city,  and  prayer  meetings  on  Sunday  and 
Thursday  evenings.  Strangers  give  good  attention.  The 
members  feel  well,  and  are  fuU  of  faith  and  the  good 
Spirit,  and  the  Spirit  is  poured  out  till  our  hearts  are 
full. 

I  expect  to  leave  this  country  soon  for  South  America, 
unless  I  should  be  able  to  go  to  New  York,  via  the  Isth- 
mus,  to   get  some  books  printed. 

I  am  studying  Spanish  with  all  dUigence,  and  wUl,  I 
trust,  master  it  in  the  course  of  a  few  months. 

Now,  my  dear  brethren  of  the  Presidency,  accept  this 
manifestation  of  my  remembrance,  good  wishes  and  deter- 
minations, and  rest  assured  you  are  always  upheld  by  my 
prayers  and  good  wishes.  I  want  your  prayers — your  con- 
tinued confidence,  and  your  good  wishes  and  fellowship.  I 
want  the  Spirit  of  God  and  His  angels  to  be  with  me; 
and  I  fear  not  earth,  nor  hell,  nor  men,  nor  devils,  nor 
death.      I    desire    power    to    do    good    continually,    and    to 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      433 

bring  about  the  restoration  of  His  people.  I  glory  iu  my 
calling.  I  would  not  exchange  it  for  any  other  position 
or  calling  on  this  earth. 

I  hope  to  come  home  by  and  by  and  see  you  all,  and 
see  the  preparations  for  the  ordinances  and  powers  of 
Heaven  in  yoiu'  midst  in  state  of  forwardness;  such  as 
peace,  union  and  diligence  can  alone  produce.      So  farewell. 

With  my  best  wishes  and  prayers, 

Your  brother  and  laborer  in   the  truth, 

P.  P.  Pratt. 

During  my  stay  in  San  Francisco  I  wrote  a  j)roclama- 
tion  of  the  gospel  addressed  to  the  people  of  the  coasts 
and  islands  of  the  Pacific,  which  was  afterwards  published 
by  Elder  Wandell  in  Australia.  I  also  commenced  the 
book  entitled  Key  to  Theology.  At  a  public  meeting  of  the 
Saints,  Elder  George  K.  Winner  was  unanimously  chosen 
and  set  apart  to  preside  over  the  San  Francisco  branch 
— myself  being  honorably  discharged  from  the  duties  of 
the  same,  with  a  view  of  a  mission  to  Chih. 

I  then  spoke  of  my  duties  to  other  parts  of  the  Pacific; 
was  honorably  discharged  from  the  presidency  of  the  branch 
with  a  vote  of  thanks,  and  a  sum  of  money,  amounting  in 
all  to  fourteen  hundred  and  ten  dollars,  was  then  and 
afterwards  subscribed  to  assist  me  on  my  mission. 

Sept.  5. — I  sailed  for  Valparaiso,  Chili,  on  board  the  bark 
Henry  Kelsey.  After  a  tedious  and  disagreeable  passage 
of  sixty -four  days,  arrived  safe  in  Valparaiso,  Nov.  8th,  ac- 
companied by  my  wife  and  Elder  Rufus  Allen,  all  in  tol- 
erable health. 

Found  the  country  in  a  state  of  civil  war,  and  most 
kinds  of  business  at  a  dead  stand — men's  hearts  failing 
them  for  fear. 

I  then  finished  the  following  letter  which  I  had  com- 
menced on   the  sea: 

28 


434      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


Ship  "Henry  Kelsey,"  Pacific  Ocean,") 

Lat.  24  K,  Ion.  115  W.,  }■ 

Sept.  15,  1851.     3 

Dear  Family : — Here  we  are  on  the  deep,  bound  for  Chili, 
S.  A. — self,  Phebe  and  E.  Allen.  We  sailed  from  San 
Francisco  on  the  5th  inst.  Have  had  fine  weather,  except- 
ing three  days,  in  which  we  were  becalmed;  and  have 
sailed  more  than  eleven  hundred  miles.  We  are  now  run- 
ning before  the  wind  seven  miles  an  hour.  We  have  all 
been  sea  sick,  and  have  not  yet  recovered  in  full.  We  are 
the  only  passengers,  and  have  the  cabin  to  ourselves,  ex- 
cept at  meals.  We  study  Spanish  every  day.  It  is  a 
beautiful  language,  and  wonderfully  adapted  to  the  simplicity 
of  the  Lamanites.  I  hope  to  master  it  during  the  passage 
and  a  few  months'  residence  among  the  Chilians. 

We  pay  sixty  dollars  for  passage  in  the  cabin,  and 
found.     We  expect  to  be  two  months  in  going. 

WeU,  dear  ones,  six  months  have  passed,  and  their 
events  been  recorded  in  the  records  of  eternity  since  we 
parted ;  aU  this  time  I  have  had  not  one  lisp  from  you.  Oh, 
how  lonesome !  Just  imagine  the  monotony !  Sky  and  sea ! 
Sea  and  sky !  Night  and  day !  Day  and  night !  Infinitude 
of  space !  Boundless  waste !  Emblem  of  eternal  silence ! 
Eternal  banishment !  Eternal  loneliness,  where  the  voice 
of  the  bridegroom  and  of  the  bride  are  not  heard.  Where 
the  holy  music  of  children's  voices,  in  joyous  merriment, 
falls  not  on  the  ear;  where  no  changing  or  varied  land- 
scape relieves  the  eye;  where  no  vegetation,  or  leafy  bow- 
er, or  sweet  blooming  flower  cheers  the  senses  ;  where  no 
birds  tune  their  soft  notes  of  praise  to  announce  the  dawn, 
or  sound  the  requiem  of  the   closing  day. 

Even' 'the  fierce  and  ravenous  beast  of  the  desert  (which, 
in  his  native  solitude,  announces  with  doleful  and  pro- 
longed   howls    the    midnight   hour,    or    wakes    the    weary 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      435 

traveller  at  early  dawii,  and  gives  the  signal  for  another 
day  of  thirst,   and  toil,   and  suffering)   is  lacking  here. 

On  this  boundless  waste  of  waters  there  is  seldom  any- 
thing to  break  the  monotony  of  eternal  silence,  or,  rather, 
of  the  roar  of  the  waves  as  they  break  in  increasing  foam 
upon  each  other,  or  against  the  vessel's  side. 

Thanks  for  that  promise,  "  There  shall  he  no  more  seaP 
Thanks  for  the  hope  that  all  the  elements  of  nature  will 
one  day  be  adapted  to  the  enjoyment  or  occupation  of  in- 
tellectual life,  or  social  and  sympathetic  existence. 

Just  imagine  sundown,  twilight,  the  shades  of  evening, 
the  curtains  of  the  solitary  night  gathering  in  silent  gloom 
and  lone  melancholy  around  a  father  who  loves  his  home 
and  its  inmates  5  his  fireside  and  the  family  altar !  Be- 
hold him  standing  leaning  over  the  vessel's  side  as  it 
glides  over  the  waters  of  the  lone  and  boundless  Pacific, 
gazing  for  hours  in  succession  into  the  bosom  of  its  dark 
abyss,  or  watching  its  white  foam  and  sparkling  spray ! 
What  are  his  thoughts  *?  Can  you  divine  them  %  Behold, 
he  prays  !  For  what  does  he  pray  %  For  every  wife,  for 
every  child,  for  every  near  and  dear  friend  he  has  on  earth, 
he  prays  most  earnestly !  most  fervently  !  He  calls  each 
by  name  over  and  over  again,  before  the  altar  of  remem- 
brance. And  when  this  is  done  for  all  on  earth,  he  re- 
members those  in  Heaven  5  calls  their  names ;  communes 
with  them  in  spirit ;  wonders  how  they  are  doing  ;  whether 
they  think  of  him.  He  calls  to  mind  their  acts  and  suf- 
ferings in  life,  their  death,  and  the  grave  where  sleeps 
their  precious  dust. 

This  done,  he  i)rays  for  Zion,  Jerusalem,  Judah,  Israel, 
the  Church,  the  Holy  Priesthood,  the  resurrection  of  the 
just,  the  kingdom  and  coming  of  Messiah,  the  end  of  war, 
and  sin,  and  death,  and  'vvrong,  and  oppression,  and  sor- 
row, and  mourning,  and  tears  ;  and  for  earth,  and  Heaven, 
and  God,  angels  and  men,  to  be  joined  forever  in  the 
bonds  of  eternal  j^eace,  and  love  and  truth. 


436      AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

This  done,  he  commends  himself,  the  vessel  and  his  all 
on  board  to  God,  and  to  the  guardianship  of  his  good 
angel.  Amen.  Walks  the  deck  a  few  minutes,  examines 
the  sails,  the  speed  of  the  vessel,  the  course  of  the  wind, 
and  then  retires  to  rest  to  dream  of  home. 

October  5f/t.— Coast  of  Peru,  S.  A.,  lat.  3  deg.  30m.  S. 
A  month  has  passed  on  the  ocean  ;  much  head  wind,  some 
calms,  and  more  or  less  sea-sickness  has  attended  us  by 
turns  until  the  present.  We  have  not  been  able  to  read, 
write,  or  study  much,  therefore  the  time  has  passed  off 
very  tediously  indeed. 

We  have  a  miser  for  a  captain,  who  thinks  more  of  a 
sixpence  than  he  does  of  our  lives  or  even  of  his  own. 
He  will  not  suifer  the  steward  to  cook  potatoes,  bread, 
pies,  puddings  or  any  other  wholesome  food,  but  keeps  us 
on  hard,  mouldy  bread,  full  of  bugs  and  worms,  and  on  salt 
beef  and  pork — the  pork  being  rotten.  He  has  flour,  po- 
tatoes and  good  pork,  but  will  not  allow  it  to  be  used  j 
thus  you  will  readily  perceive  that  we  are  truly  in  unpleas- 
ant circumstances. 

Last  evening  we  came  near  a  shipwreck,  having  run  near 
the  land  without  knowing  it,  and  it  fell  calm.  The  ship 
became  unmanagable,  and  was  drifting  on  to  the  shore, 
but  we  cast  anchor  and  awaited  the  light  of  morning, 
when  we  got  under  weigh  with  much  labor,  and  stood  again 
to  sea. 

French  Hotel,  Valparaiso,  Chili,  8.  A.,  > 
November  9th.  ' 

Dear  Friends: — After  a  most  disagreeable  and  tedious  pas- 
sage of  sixty-four  days  we  have  at  length  arrived  in  port, 
in  tolerable  health.  We  landed  yesterday  at  noon,  and 
took  lodgings  and  board  at  a  French  Hotel,  where  we  have 
a  great  variety  of  good  eating,  and  a  front  parlor  to  our- 
selves— price  four  dollars  per  day  for  three  of-  us.  The 
proprietor  speaks  French,  the  clerk    French,   with    a    little 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      437 

English,    the    hmdlady    German,   the    waiter    Spanish,    and 
ourselves  English,  with  a  little  Spanish. 

So  you  see  we  have  a  little  Babel  of  our  own,  indepen- 
dently of  Ximrod  or  the  great  tower. 

We  find  the  country  in  the  midst  of  revolution  and  civil 
war.  Two  persons  and  their  adherents  fighting  for  pow- 
er and  rule.  Business  is  dull,  living  high,  and  doubt  and 
uncertainty  characterizing  every  transaction  in  the  various 
business  departments. 

On  Sunday  we  attended  a  meeting  in  a  very  large  build- 
ing. We  saw  thousands  of  both  sexes,  and  of  all  classes 
and  ages,  throng  the  place,  bow  down  on  their  knees  and 
worship  certain  images  and  paintings  with  much  apparent 
devotion.  Ko  instructions  were  given  in  any  language,  no 
music,  no  voice  or  sound,  except  a  low,  plaintive  voice  in 
the  far  end  of  the  room,  not  addressed  to  the  people, 
neither  sufficientlj*  loud  or  distinct  to  be  understood  by 
them. 

The  worshippers  were  dressed  in  a  variety  of  degrees 
of  neatness  or  of  its  opposite.  Some  of  them  wore  very 
costly  apparel,  and  others  were  very  neatly  clad.  All 
seemed  full  of  zeal  and  devotion.  All  bowed  down  on 
their  knees  in  silent,  solemn  attitudes.  All  their  faces 
seemed  disfigured  with  a  painful  and  awe-stricken  solem- 
nity. All  made  certain  signs  and  motions,  while  they  said 
nothing  audible,  and  the  impression  of  a  strange  observer 
would  be  that  the  image,  to  which  every  eye  was  turned 
with  long  and  supplicating  gaze  and  imploring  look,  had 
no  ears  to  hear,  but  was  deeply  versed  in  the  science  of 
physiognomy,  and  also  acquainted  with  the  deaf  and  dumb 
alphabet. 

On  inquiry,  we  were  informed  that  this  kind  of  wor- 
ship prevailed  throughout  Spanish  America  and  various 
other  countries,  and  that  it  is  called  by  the  dignified  name 
of  Christianity,  and  that  it  is  very  ancient. 

From   all  which   circumstances  I  infer  that  it  must  have 


438     AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

been  instituted  soon  after  tlie  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  be- 
came extinct  in  the  Eoman  world,  and,  by  some  unaccount- 
able blunder,  borrowed  its  name  from  those  institutions, 
which  it  does  not  even  resemble  in  the  least  in  any  one 
feature  save  the  name. 

Sunday,  Hfovemher  IQth.  Dear  friends : — During  the  past 
week  we  have  rented  a  house,  purchased  furniture  and 
commenced  housekeeping.  We  devote  almost  our  entire 
tune  to  the  Spanish  language. 

Our  house  is  in  the  rear  of  a  block  of  buildings  which 
fronts  a  large  and  beautiful  street,  called  Victoria  street. 
It  opens  into  a  large  yard,  surrounded  with  high  walls 
and  with  other  buildings,  and  filled  with  beautiful  trees, 
such  as  orange,  fig,  peach,  pear,  etc.,  together  with  pinks 
and  a  variety  of  other  flowers  and  shrubs.  Its  walks 
and  pavements  are  neatly  swept,  and  the .  houses  around 
it  occupied  with  widows,  orphans,  etc.  of  a  good  class  of 
Spanish  or  Chilanoes,  and  their  kind  and  sociable  young 
people  and  little  children. 

We  divide  our  time  between  reading  and  studying  our 
Spanish  lessons,  and  chatting,  visiting,  reading  Spanisli, 
hearing  them  read,  and  playing  with  the  little  ones,  etc., 
all  of  which  pleases  them  much,  and  causes  us  to  advance 
in  the  language  with  a  rapidity  which  is  almost  astonish- 
ing to  ourselves  and  to  them.  Truly  Providence  has  or- 
dered our  footsteps  and  cast  our  lot  in  pleasant  circum- 
stances, when  we  were  strangers  in  a  strange  land,  and 
among  a  people  of  a  strange  tongue.  Truly  He  has  opened 
our  way  to  learn  that  tongue,  and  we  can  learn  it  if  we 
are  diligent. 

Eents  are  high  here,  provisions  and  fuel  dear.  Straw- 
berries, oranges,  lemons,  etc.,  are  in  market,  as  well  as 
green  peas  and  other  vegetables,  and  melons.  It  is,  in 
fact,  a  state  of  advanced  spring  or  early  summer.  The 
peaches,  pears  and  figs  are  perhaps  one  third  their  size  on 
the  trees,  while  the  flowers  are  in  full  bloom. 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


439 


NOVEMBER    IN    CHILI. 

'Tis  the  spring   of  the  year,    all  the   fountains   are  full. 

All  nature   is  pregnant  with  life  and  with  love; 
A  chorus   of  voices  ascend  from  each  pool, 

A  myriad  of  songsters   enliven  the  grove. 
To  her  nest  in  the   Andes,   the   condor   retires, 

The   -ft-inds  from  Magellan  no  longer  prevail, 
And  Sol,   with  the   north  breeze  returning,   inspires 

New  life   on  the   zephyr,   and  love   on   the  gale. 
The   forest  is   clad  in  its  robes  of  fresh   green- 
Where  the   dove   smgs   an  anthem,   his  mate  to  decoy. 
The  orchard  is   dressed   as   a  hohday   queen. 

And  the   rose   bud   is   burstmg   with  fuhiess  of  Joy. 
The   orange,    the   olive,    the   fig   and  the   vine 

Are   clothed  as   in  Eden,   with  innocent  bloom;  -' 

The  earth  is   an  altar  of  incense  divine. 

Exhales  a   sweet  odor   of  richest  perfume. 
The   young   of  the   flock  bound   exulting  away 

WhUe  their  dams  nip  the  blade,   'mid  the  dewdrops  of  morn, 
And   groups   of  young   children   are   sportive   and   gay; 

Yet  my  heart,  'mid  tliis  gladness,  is  sad  and  forlorn. 
I  sigh   for  the   storms   of  November  to   come. 

The   frost,   and  the   snow-drifted  plain   I  would   see; 
The  bleak,   wintry  blasts   of  my   own  mountam  home, 

And  the   storm-beaten  glaziere  are  dearer  to  me. 
The   chime   of  the   sleigh-bell  again  I  would  hear, 

The  low  moaning  tempest  in  harmony  roll — 
It  would   speak   of  my   country   and  kindred  so   dear; 

Oh  I   this  would   be  music  indeed   to  my   soul. 

With   sentiments   of  the  most  endearing  affection, 

I  remain  yours,   &c., 

P.  P.  Pratt. 


CHAPTER    XLIX. 

Valparaiso:— QuiUota:— Letter  to  President    Brigham   Young. 

January  19,   1852. 

XVrE    have    continued    to    reside    in   Valparaiso,    and   to 

*  '  study  Spanish  diligently  until  this  day.  We  make 
much  progress,  being  already  able  to  understand  in  part 
that  which  we  read  in  the  Spanish  Scriptures,  and  in  the 
daOy  papers,  as  well  as  in  history.  We  have  also  gath- 
ered much  general  information  of  the  countries  of  Spanish 
America,  their  manners,  customs,  laws,  constitutions,  in- 
stitutions— civil,   religious,   &c. 

Eevolutions  have  been  in  progress  more  or  less  in 
nearly  all  Spanish  America  during  the  past  year. 

In  Chili  the  present  revolution  has  ended  with  the  loss 
of  many  thousand  lives,  and  without  success. 

In  Buenos  Ayres  it  still  rages,  and  a  great  battle  is 
soon  expected  between  the  combined  armies  of  Brazil  and 
Montevideo  on  the  one  part,  and  Buenos  Ayres  on  the 
other — the  two  armies  amounting  to  near  twenty-five 
thousand   men  each,   as  reported. 

Priestcraft  reigns  triumphant  in  all  these  countries,  as 
by  law  established  5  and  by  law  paid  and  supported— by 
marriages  and  christening  fees,  forgiving  sins,  etc. 

In  Chili  the  charges  are  as  foUows :  Twenty-five  dol- 
lars for  a  marriage,  and  one  dollar  for  christening. 
For  forgiveness  of  sins  there  are  various  prices  to  suit 
the  circumstances  of  the  customers. 

We  departed  from  Valparaiso  in   a  cart  drawn  by  oxen 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      441 

and  arrived  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty-fifth  at  Quil- 
lota — a  small  town  situated  in  a  beautiful  and  fertile  val- 
ley on  a  river  thirty-six  miles  from  Valparaiso. 

Here  we  have  hired  a  house  and  live  with  a  widow 
and  two  daughters,  young  ladies  of  fifteen  aud  seven- 
teen ;  they  are  very  sociable,  and  much  pleased  with  us. 
They  can  read  Spanish,  and  they  take  every  possible 
pains  to  teach  us  the  language.  They  are  very  frank 
and  friendly,  and  seem  as  much  void  of  guile  as  little 
children. 

I  read  to  them  in  the  Spanish  Testament,  which  pleases 
them  much,   as  they  have  never  read  it. 

The  people  in  this  town  seem  to  be  a  neat,  plain,  lov- 
ing and  sociable  people ;  very  friendly,  frank,  and  easy 
to  become  acquainted  with.  They  are  mostly  white,  in- 
telligent, and  good  looking ;  very  plain  and  simple  in 
dress  and  manners.  The  houses  are  mostly  neat  and 
comely,  and  are  situated  on  a  line  with  the  mud  walls 
which  separate  the  streets  from  the  gardens  and  ^^Jle- 
yards. 

The  houses  are  built  of  sun  dried  brick,  plastered  and 
whitewashed  outside  and  inside ;  with  brick  floors  and 
tiled  roofs.  Many  of  them,  however,  have  no  floors  ex- 
cept the  earth,  and  but  few  of  them  have  glass  windows. 
The  streets  are  straight,  and  cross  at  right  angles.  A 
clear,  cool  stream  runs  in  the  centre  of  each  street,  and 
vast  rows  of  tall  stately  poplars,  as  well  as  fruit  trees 
and  vines  adorn  the  entire  vale,  both   in  town  and  country. 

A  mountain  or  round  hill,  perhaps  500  feet  in  height, 
rises  in  the  midst  of  the  town,  and  is  surrounded  on  all 
sides  by  the  level  of  the  fertile,  well  watered  and  well 
cultivated  plain.  This  hill  is  near  our  residence,  easy  of 
access,  and  commands  a  view  of  the  whole  valley  Avith 
its  farms,  orchards,  vineyards,  towns,  streets,  river  and 
water  ditches,  fertile  as  Eden,  and  stretching  away  tiU 
lost  in*  the  dim  distance  ;   or  bounded    by  lofty    hills    and 


442      AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PARLEY  V.     PRATT. 

mountain  chains,  whose  lower  swells  are  checked  with 
fences  and  houses,  and  covered  %vith  flocks  and  herds, 
while  theu-  bosoms  are  rugged  with  rocky  precipices,  and 
checquered  by  dark  ra\Tnes,  or  mantled  with  clouds  ;  while 
the  rugged  summits  repose  in  solemn  grandeiu^  on  the 
bosom  of  the  clear  blue  sky,  unobscured  by  clouds  or  any 
of  the  gloomy  shadows  of  the  lower  world. 

The  land  of  this  valley  is  extremely  fertUe,  and  easily 
irrigated  by   small  canals  from  the  river. 

The  whole  taken  in  at  one  view  from  the  summit  of 
the  centre  hill,  presents  one  of  the  most  beautiful  scenes  I 
ever  beheld  in  the  old  or  new  world. 

On  the  toj)  of  this  moiuitain  is  a  place  for  retirement 
and  prayer,  which  I  intend  to  use  every  evening  about  sun- 
set or  twilight.  Figs,  plums,  pears,  peaches,  api)les,  or- 
anges, grapes,  and,  indeed,  most  kinds  of  fniit  are  very 
plentiful  here.  A  quarter  of  a  dollar  will  purchase 
enough  for  three  of  us  to  eat  in  one  day.  The  figs  and 
plums  are  sweet  as  honey,  and  will  melt  in  the  mouth. 
There  is  not  much  need  of  other  food.  The  grapes, 
peaches  and  apples  are  not  generally  ripe  yet. 

Having  dwelt  in  QuiUota  one  month  we  returned  to 
Valparaiso,  and  on  the  2d  of  March  embarked  on  board 
the  ship  "  Dracut "  for  San  Francisco ;  weighed  anchor 
on  the  5th  of  March,  and  saUed  out  of  port  with  a  light 
breeze. 

The  following  is  the  copy  of  a  letter  written  to  Presi- 
dent Young  during  the  voyage  fiom  Chili  to  San  Fran- 
cisco : 

Ship  "  Dracut,"  Pacific  Ocean,  lat.  18.  ) 
March   13,  1852.  i 

President  Young. 

Bear  Brother — ^We  are  well.  Elder  Eufus  Allen,  myself 
and  wife,  sailed  from  San  Francisco,  September  5,  1851, 
for  Chili,  S.  A.,  and  arrived  in  Valparaiso,  November  8 — 
passage  sixty-three  days.      From  that   time  to  the  present 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      443 

has  been  devoted  to  the  study  of  the  Spanish  language 
and  the  laws,  constitutions,  geography,  history,  character, 
religion,  manners,  customs,  revolution,  and  events  of 
Chili  and  Peru  in  particular,  and  of  Spanish  America  in 
general. 

By  intense  appUcation  I  soon  l)ecame  able  to  read  with 
a  degree  of  understanding  and  interest  in  that  language. 
I  have  already  read  through  the  Spanish  Testament ; 
while,  in  the  same  language,  I  have  copied  in  ^vriting 
many  of  its  most  important  passages,  and  have  read  them 
over  perhaps  twenty  times — committing  some  of  them  to 
memory. 

I  have  also  read  a  small  work,  on  Natural  History  of 
ChUi,  near  three  times  through,  in  which  are  many  curi- 
ous and  important  facts  in  relation  to  the  wars  with 
that  brave  and  patriotic  nation  of  freemen  called  the  Ar- 
raucanians.  These  have  maintained  their  liberty  and  in- 
dependence unimpaired  for  300  years  against  the  combined 
powers  of  old  Spain  and  of  all  her  colonies,  sustaining  a 
defensive  war,  with  but  little  cessation,  for  near  200 
years,  without  firearms  or  other  modern  means  of  defence. 
Some  of  their  history  I  hope  to  translate  and  pubMsh 
hereafter. 

I  have  also  read  the  Spanish  school  geography  of  Chili, 
and  some  other  works,  while  a  constant  perusal  of  their 
newspapers,  and  those  of  Peru  and  Buenos  Ayres,  have 
given  me  a  general  insight  into  their  governments,  laws, 
politics,  religion,  revolutions,   hopes   feelings    and  prospects. 

The  civil  wars,  and  my  own  pecuniary  circumstances, 
but  more  particularly  the  want  of  language,  prevented  my 
travelling  much  in  the  country,  or  even  visiting  the  Arrau- 
canians.  I,  however,  visited  a  small  town  in  the  interior, 
forty  miles,  and  lived  there  one  month. 

On  the  second  day  of  March  we  embarked  on  this  ship 
bound  for  San  Francisco,  without  a  sufficiency  of  the 
language  to  turn    the  keys   of   the  gospel  as  yet  to  these 


4^4      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OV     PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

nations.  We  staid  tiU  aU  our  means  were  exhausted  and 
sought  and  prayed  diligently  for  our  way  to  open;  but 
we  could  neither  speak  the  language  sufficiently  to  preach 
the  gospel  nor  find  any  way  to  earn  our  lining,  so  we 
found  it  necessary  to  return  to  California  while  we  still 
study  the  language  on  board. 

We  have  one  fine  young  man  in  the  cabin  who  is  very 
useful  to  us.  He  is  a  native  Chihan,  reads  and  con- 
verses fluently  in  Spanish,  is  conversant  with  the  Scrip- 
tures, which  we  read  together  and  converse  upon.  He 
has  borrowed  the  Spanish  Bible  of  me  and  is  reading  it 
by  course.  I  have  told  him  of  our  doctrine,  baptfsm, 
Church  persecution,  settlement  in  the  mountains,  and  of 
the  Book  of  Mormon.  Also  of  the  evils  of  adulter^', 
drunkenness,  gambling,  and  other  sins,  and  the  wicked- 
ness of  the  Catholic  abominations.  He  has  taken  the 
whole  in  good  part,  and  talks  of  going  to  the  mountams 
with  us.  What  is  very  remarkable  for  a  Chilian,  he 
neither  smokes  nor  di'inks.  He  has  some  means,  and  is 
going  to  California  to  make  more.  We  pray  much  in 
secret  that  God  will  open  his  heart  and  give  him  to  us 
for  a  help  in  the  ministry. 

The  Chilians  are  a  mixed  ra«e  of  Spanish  and  Indian 
blood— say  four  fifths  Indian— consequently  coarse  features, 
black  hair  and  eyes,  low  foreheads,  high  cheek  bones 
broad  fa^es,  and  in  most  cases  copper  color  in  its  various 
shades  and  degrees,  whilst  a  few  are  white  and  even  fair 
and  beautiful.  In  general  they  are  ignorant  and  devoted 
Catholics.  Probably  more  than  one  half  of  them  can  neither 
read  nor  write.  Their  knowledge  of  arts  and  industry  is 
extremely  limited.  In  manners  they  are  simple,  frank,  and 
extremely  sociable  and  apparently  afl'ectionate,  but  subject 
to  a  small  low  meanness  in  their  dealings,  and  to  trifling 
thefts.  There  are,  however,  many  honorable  exceptions  to 
those  faults  or  evil  habits. 
The  Bible  is  not  in  general  use  among  them,  being  pro- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      445 

hibited  by  their  religion ;  but  I  found  many  who  had 
read  it,  and  all,  so  far  as  I  tried  the  exfjeriment,  seemed 
willing  to  hear  it  read.  Some  said  they  could  understand 
it  better  when  I  read  it  than  when  it  was  read  by  their 
own  natives.  I  spoke  freely  to  many  against  their  priest- 
craft and  errors  ;  showed  them  the  true  mode  of  baptism, 
etc.,  which  very   seldom   gave  offence. 

They  frequently  told  me  of  the  abominations  of  their 
priests,  and  how  they  administered  aU  the  ordinances  for 
money,  at  so  much  per  head.  The  constitution  estab- 
lishes the  Koman  Catholic  religion,  supi^orts  it  out  of 
the  treasury,  and  jjrohibits  all  others.  There  is,  notwith- 
standing this  prohibition,  a  Church  of  England  and  an 
American   Congregational  Church  in  Valparaiso. 

The  latter  I  visited  and  conversed  with  the  minister. 
He  said  there  was  no  difficulty  in  landing  religious  books 
or  papers  and  circulating  the  same,  although  the  press  is 
not  free  to  print  or  imblish  any  religion  but  the  Catholic. 
He  had  imported  and  distributed  Bibles  in  Spanish,  and 
had  placed  them  for  sale  in  the  bookstores.  Foreign 
books  are  landed  free  of  duty. 

The  revolution  which  raged  so  violently  this  season  in 
Chili  professed  to  be  in  favor  of  universal  suffrage,  and 
of  absolute  liberty  of  conscience,  of  speech,  and  of  the 
press.  The  masses,  so  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge,  are 
warm  revolutionists,  but  they  don't  like  to  fight.  The 
revolution  cost  some  5,000  lives,  and  ended  in  a  goi!('ral 
amnesty,  without  any  alteration  of  the  Government.  But 
the  people  are  sanguine  in  their  hopes — they  thiuk  to 
accomj)lish   their  liberties  in   a  few  years. 

In  the  provinces  of  Buenos  Ayres  a  long  civil  war  has 
raged,  which  is  now  about  terminating  in  favor  of  the 
more  liberal  party,  aided  by  Brazil. 

Peru  is  tranquil.  The  public  prints  of  Lima,  its  capi- 
tal, have  interested  me  much — they  are  in  Spanish,  and 
I  have  spent  days  in  their  perusal.      The    Government    of 


446      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Peru  is  much  influenced  by  England  and  the  Uidted 
States.  Its  constitution  guarantees  liberty  of  the  press, 
of  speech,  and  of  worship.  But  it  seems  to  have  re- 
mained a  dead  letter  on  these  points  till  the  present  year, 
in  which  the  Congress  Peruana  has  made  a  special  law 
to  carry  out  these  general  principles  of  liberty,  making 
special  provision  for  the  liberty  of  other  worship,  and  for 
Protestants  to  officiate  in  the  holy  sacraments  of  matrimony 
and  of  burial,  which  is  a  step  ahead  of  even  Protestant 
England  (where  all  must  go  to  the  National  Church  for 
these  things). 

Peru  has  also  made  a  special  treaty  with  Great  Britain, 
in  which  all  these  liberties  are  guaranteed  tp  British  sub- 
jects there.  These  liberal  measures  have  alarmed  '^  His 
Holiness,"  the  Pope  of  Eome,  to  such  an  extent  that  he 
has  issued  his  letter  of  disfellowship  of  the  Government 
Peruana,  in  which  he  denounces  all  these  liberal  meas- 
ures as   anti- Catholic,  unchristian  and  heretical. 

This  official  document,  in  the  hands  of  the  Archbishop 
of  Peru  and  of  his  clergy,  was  brought  to  bear  Avith  con- 
siderable power  against  the  liberal  proceedings  of  the  Gov- 
ernment ;  but,  in  the  meantime,  a  very  learned  and  talented 
man  (I  suppose  a  clergyman),  called  Dr.  Yigel,  and  many 
other  writers  come  out  against  the  Poi^e  in  the  columns  of 
the  public  prints.  They  denounce  him  in  no  measured 
terms  as  a  usurper  of  more  power  than  Peter  of  old,  who, 
they  say,  meddled  not  with  governments,  wealth,  or  any 
other  thing,   but  to  preach  the   gosjiel   and  catch  fish. 

They  boldly  inquire  of  "His  Holiness"  "  AVhere's  Peter's 
salary !  crown !  title !  palace,  etc. !  where  his  dictations  of 
political  government  f  They  then  inform  him  that  Peru  is 
a  free  and  independent  sovereignty,  and  will  not  be  dic- 
tated to  by  any  foreign  power  whatsoever.  They  refer  "  His 
Holitwss "  to  Simon  Magus,  who  ^vished  to  purchase  the 
gift  of  God  with  money.  Remind  him  and  the  public  how 
much  it    has   cost  certain  other    governments    to  purchase 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      447 

remission  of  sins  for  similar  offences,  and  inquire  how 
much  i^oor  erring  Peru  vriU  have  to  pay  to  His  Holiness 
for  the  remission  of  the  great  sins  she  has  committed  in 
giving  her  citizens  the  liberty  to  worship  as  they  please; 
and  to  marry y  die  and  he  buried  in  such  manner  as  seemeth 
to  them   good. 

Such  writings  have  a  wide  circulation  in  Peru,  and  are 
popular,  but  are  also  opposed  by  lengthy  replies  and  de- 
fences on  the  part  of  the  more  orthodox  clergy.  All  these 
things  go  to  show  that  the  press,  as  well  as  the  mind,  is 
beginning  to  exert  its  freedom  in  the  countries  where,  for 
three  centuries,  all  intellect  has  slept,  and  all  freedom  of 
thought  been  crushed — buried — ^iinder  the  incubus  of  the  hor- 
rid institutions   of  the  great  Mother  of  Abominations. 

Should  Peru  sustaui  her  liberties,  a  field  is  o]iened  in 
the  heart  of  Spanish  ^Vmerica,  and  in  the  largest,  best  in- 
formed and  most  influential  cits'  and  nation  of  South 
America,  for  the  Bible,  the  Book  of  Mormon,  and  the  fid- 
ness  of  the  gosijel  to  be  introduced. 

Four  fifths,  or  perhaps  nine  tenths  of  the  vast  population 
of  Peru,  as  well  as  of  most  other  countries  of  Spanish 
America,  are  of  the  blood  of  Lehi.  'Tis  true  they  are  de- 
graded. Civilization  is  at  a  low  ebb;  and  modesty  and 
virtue,  in  the  sense  they  are  understood  among  the  more 
poUshed  nations,  may  hardly  exist  among  them,  even  in 
idea.  Yet  Jesus  came  not  to  call  the  righteous  but  sin- 
ners to  repentance.  The  whole  need  no  physicians,  but 
those  who  are   sick. 

'Ne^Y  Granada  has  also  revolutionized  in  favor  of  the  same 
great  principles  of  liberty ;  while  the  revolution  in  Xorthem 
Mexico,  and  other  movements  of  a  like  nature  in  other 
I)arts,  all  go  to  show  that  a  door  is  opening  more  wide 
than  can  be  filled  very  soon  in  tJie  Spanish  language,  unless 
God  shall  raise  uj)  (as  in  England)  thousands  of  native 
teachers   of  the  fulness   of  the   gospel. 

I  had  much  desire  to  go  to  Peru  at  this  time:    but  an 


448      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

empty  purse  and  imperfect  tongue,  -wliich  has  only  barely 
begun  to  stammer  in  that  language,  together  with  the  want 
of  books  or  the  means  to  print  them,  with  other  circum- 
stances,  all  combined  to  cause  me  to  wait  a  little  till  1 
could  study  the  language  more  fully ;  while,  in  the  mean- 
time, I  return  to  where  1  can  communicate  more  fully  with 
the  Church  at  home,  with  the  various  missions  on  the 
islands  and  with  my  family,  for  whom  I  must  do  some- 
thing as   speedily  as  possible,  if  God  will  open   my  way. 

I  feci  as  though  the  Book  of  Mormon  and  some  cheap 
publications  should  be  translated  into  "Spanish  and  printed, 
and  then  the  key  be  turned  to  these  nations  while  a  liv- 
ing priesthood  is  accompanied  by  something  for  them  to 
read — even  those  \\TitiQgs  which  have  the  promises  of  God, 
the  prayers  and  faith  of  the  ancients,  and  the  power  and 
Spirit  of  God  to  work  with  them  in  restoring  the  house  of 
Israel. 

It  is  in  my  heart  to  translate  the  Book  of  Mormon  and 
some  other  works,  and  to  print  the  same  in  Spanish  as 
soon  as  I  have  the  language  sufficiently  i)erfect.  As  print- 
ing is  very  expensive  in  all  parts  of  the  Pacific,  it  may 
be  wisdom  to  go  to  England  and  get  some  printing,  and, 
perhaps,  some  stereotypuig  done ;  and  also,  to  bring  out 
two  or  three  Elders  from  there  with  English  passports^  etc., 
to  assist  in  Spanish  America. 

As  these  contemplated  labors  would  be,  under  the  bless- 
ing of  God,  a  furtherance  of  the  great  work  of  laying  the 
foundation  for  the  restoration  of  unnumbered  millions  of 
the  house  of  Israel  and  of  Joseph — even  of  many  nations 
extending  over  a  large  and  important  portion  of  the  earth 
— I  feel  to  labor  with  patience,  and  to  take  time  to  pre- 
jiare  the  way  before  me  and  before  those  who  will,  in  due 
time,  be  sent  imto  them  in  power;  knowing  that  God, 
who  has  said  certaui  things,  will  cause  those  things  to  be 
l)erformed  in   due  time. 

If  before  half   these  things    are    accomi)Lished    I    should 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      449 

return  to  the  valley  and  sit  in  council  with  you  and  my 
brethren,  or  even  do  the  translation  there,  I  hope  I  shall 
not  be  counted  a  slothful  servant;  for  I  assure  you  that 
I  do  all  in  my  power,  with  all  diligence,  and  with  all  the 
prayer  of  faith  I  possess ;  and  my  earnest  desiie  is  to  be 
counted  worthy  to  labor  for  the  restoration  of  Israel  until 
it  be  accomplished. 

I  study  the  language  all  day  and  think  of  itj  and  even 
dream  and  talk  it  aloud  in  my  sleep,  in  which  I  sometimes 
learn  more  than  in  the  day.  But  it  is  no  small  work  to 
become  familiar  with  the  entire  grammar,  words  and  style 
of  a  language,  so  as  to  write  for  publication. 

If  the  Twelve  Apostles  will  di\ide  the  European  lan- 
guages between  them,  and  each  become  thoroughly  versed 
in  one,  so  as  to  translate  the  fulness  of  the  gospel  and 
turn  the  keys  of  the  same,  it  will  be  one  great  step 
towards  the  consummation ;  for  a  host  of  feUow  laborers 
would  soon  be  raised  uj)  in  each  to  cooperate  with  them, 
and  these  languages  command  the  influence  and  keys  of 
communication  with  most  of  the  nations,  tribes  and  lan- 
guages of  the  earth.  I  trust  and  hope,  also,  that  they  will 
soon  be  introduced  into  our  University,  and  among  the 
Elders  of  Israel,  in  iireference  to  the  dead  languages,  or  of 
those  of  less   consequence. 

Pacific  Ocean,  lat.  o°  N. ) 
March  27,  1852.  J 

Dear  Brother — We  have  now  sailed  for  twenty-three 
days  and  made  nearly  half  the  passage.  We  are  well, 
and  the  wind  is  generally  fair^  but  now  and  then  a  calm. 
Brother  AUen  and  myself  still  study  the  language  with 
diligence,  and  still  talk  with  the  Chilian,  who  is  also 
reading  diligently  in  our   Spanish  Bible. 

The  "  Book  of  Mormon,"  "  Voice  of  Warning,"  etc.,  have 
been  the  rounds,  and  been  read  by  the  captain  and  mates; 
but  they  wiU  not  believe  in  them,  nor  in  the  testimony  of 

29 


450      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

men  or  angels.  However,  there  is  one  intelligent,  sober 
young  man,  who  is  interested  much. 

April  29th,  lat.  27°  i^. — Fifty-five  days  have  passed 
like  a  dreary  imprisonment  to  us,  with  hut  little  to  eat. 
"We  live  on  a  little  poor,  hard  bread,  probably  baked  some 
two  or  three  years  ago,  and  some  beans,  and  very  poor 
damaged  salt  beef  and  pork.  We  have  no  flour,  potatoes, 
sugar,  molasses,  rice,  or  other  comforts,  although  we  pay 
a  good  price  for  cabin  passage. 

We  have  not  had  one  day  of  good  sailing  in  a 
month;  it  is  either  calms  or  light  head  winds.  We  seldom 
sail  more  than  from  thirty  to  fifty  miles  in  twenty-four 
hours.  We  are  hungry,  and  weary,  and  lonesome,  and 
disconsolate.  But,  after  praying  much  for  a  fair  wind  and 
speed,  we  find  our  prayers  are  not  answered,  and  we  have 
given  it  up,  and  have  asked  our  Heavenly  Father  to  give 
us  patience  and  reconciliation  to  His  will. 

We  are  now  some  eight  or  nine  hundred  miles  from 
port,  and  our  provisions  (poor  as  they  are)  must  fail  us 
soon.  But  live  or  die  we  trust  in  God  and  try  to  serve 
Him. 

There  is  no  one  on  board  who  fears  God  or  regards  man, 
as  far  as  we  know,  except  one  of  the  sailors  and  ourselves. 
The  most  horrid  blasphemies  resound  in  our  ears  every  day 
in  the  cabin  and  on  deck,  from  captain  and  mate  together, 
with  gambling  and  blackguardism. 

We  are  shunned  and  hated  because  of  our  testimony, 
and  because  our  example  is  a  reproof.  But  we  mind  our 
own  business,  and  study  language  and  the  Scriptures  every 
day. 

The  young  man  of  which  I  speak  is  a  Mr.  Howard,  from 
the  United  States,  who  is  well  educated,  and  has  read  our 
books  with  much  interest  during  the  passage,  and  has  re- 
quested to  be  baptized  and  join  the  Church  as  soon  as  we 
land.  He  is  not  accustomed  to  a  seafaring  life,  and  wishes 
to  go    to    the   mountains   with  us.      He  has   been   brought 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 


451 


up  at  school  and  in  clerking.  I  think  his  calling  is  to 
preach  the  gospel,  but  1  have  not  yet  even  hinted  this  to 
him. 

Brethren,  I  want  to  see  you  all  with  a  desire  above  all 
other  times  of  my  life.  I  feel  as  though  I  wanted  to  sit 
down  with  you  and  seek  the  powers  and  gifts  of  God  and 
the  powers  of  Heaven,  even  that  which  shall  be  shed  forth 
for  the  restoration  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

Oh,  when  wiU  the  time  come  ?  When  shall  the  veil  be 
rent  and  the  full  powers  of  the  apostleship  be  permitted 
to  be  exercised  on  the  earth  ?  It  must  be  before  long  or 
no  flesh  be  saved — for  the  powers  of  darkness  prevail 
abroad  to  that   degree   that  it  can  even  be  felt  physically. 

There  are  none  who  know  the  Lord ;  none  who  seek 
after  the  truth  ;  none  who  appreciate  it  when  found  5  none 
who  incline  to  cease  from  sLa.  I  had  like  to  have  said  to 
be  found  abroad  in  the  earth.  To  find  one  is  like  lighting 
a  candle  and  searching  diligently  for  food  among  the  dun- 
geons  of  darkness,   death   and  famine. 

Adieu  till  we  land. 

Tom'  brother, 

P.  P.  Pratt. 


CHAPTER     L. 

Arrival   in   San   Francisco: — Return   to   Salt    Lake   City: — Second    Mission    to 
the   Pacific: — Articles   from   the   Press. 

AFTEE  a  long  aud  tedious  passage  of  seventy-uine  days 
we  landed  in  San  Franeisco  on  the  21st  of  May, 
having  suffered  severely  for  the  last  forty  days  for  the 
want  of  proper  food. 

After  resting  aud  recuperating  for  a  few  days,  my  time 
was  again  devoted  to  the  ministry  in  the  Church  at  San 
Francisco  and  San  Jose,  and  in  visiting,  studying  language, 
writing  to  the  other  missionaries,  and  in  the  j^reparations 
for  our  homeward  journey,  until  near  the  end  of  July ; 
and  I  would  here  add,  that,  through  the  kindness  of  my 
brethren  and  friends,  near  twelve  hundred  dollars  in  money, 
mules  and  a  wagon  was  contributed  to  assist  me  in  my  mis- 
sion and  for  my  journey  home,  being  given  at  various  times 
after  my  arrival  from  Chili. 

I  found  the  Saints  in  the  above  named  places  possessed 
of  some  faith  and  kindness,  benevolence  and  charity.  They 
were  also  endeavoring  to  serve  the  Lord,  and  to  set  good 
examples  of  life,  and  they  met  often  to  worshii)  aud 
edify  each  other  and  as  many  as  came  to  their  meetings. 
Many  attended  their  meetings  and  listened  with  interest, 
and  some  were  baptized  and  added  to  the  Church. 

I  lu-ged  the  principles  of  the  gathering  with  all  the  en- 
ergy of  the  gift  of  God  within  me,  but  seemingly  almost 
in  vain.  The  world  and  the  gain  thereof  seemed  to  have 
a  strong  hold  and  influence  over  them.  After  a  trial  for 
months,   I    only    obtained    three    men    to    go    with   me,  for 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      453 

Deseret,  besides  brotlier  AUeu.  These  were  Wm.  Follett, 
Tlionias  Dual  aud  Elislia  Hyatt;  with  these  I  started  on 
the  steamer  "  Sea  Biixl "  about  the  last  of  July. 

We  landed  in  St.  Pedi-o  after  three  days,  and  on  the 
14th  day  of  August  we  arrived  all  safe  in  San  Barnar- 
dino,  where  we  were  kindly  received  by  brother  Amasa 
Lyman  and  the  Saints  in  general,  whom  we  found  well 
and  i)rosi)erous.  We  camped  near  sister  Eich's,  and  were 
entertained  by  them  very  hospitably. 

Sunday,  15th. — Met  with  the  Saints  for  worship  and 
preached  to  them.  It  was  a  meeting  full  of  interest,  well 
attended  by  both  sexes  ;  good  singing,  good  instruction, 
the  sacrament,  and  in  the  afternoon  a  Sabbath  school. 

Their  meeting  house  is  large  and  commodious,  and  is  used 
for  school  purposes  every  day. 

August  20th. — Brother  C.  C.  Kicli  arrived  in  good  health 
from  Salt  Lake  City  with  seventeen  men,  making  their 
journey  in  twenty- two  days  without  loss  or  accident,  hav- 
ing six  wagons.  Eeports  weU  of  the  grass  and  water. 
Tells  of  much  rain  on  the  desert  and  in  Deseret.  Brings 
good  news  of  aU  things  there,  and  letters  from  my  family, 
who  were  all  alive  and  well. 

Sunday,  22d. — Had  a  joyful  meeting  with  brother  Amasa 
Lyman,  C.  C.  Eich  and  the  Church.  After  meeting  we 
three  of  the  Twelve  met  and  appointed  certain  young  men 
to  study  the  Spanish  language,  with  a  ^dew  to  a  mission 
hereafter,  and  brother  Stout  to  teach  a  class  in  Spanish, 
in  this  place,  to  consist  of  such  young  men. 

September  4:th. — Attended  a  harvest  feast  in  the  bowery, 
or  meeting  house.  The  entire  people  made  this  feast,  and 
assembled  to  enjoy  it.  The  room  was  richly  and  taste- 
fully ornamented  and  set  off  with  evergreens,  specimens  of 
grains,  vegetables,  etc. 

Meeting  opened  by  prayer  and  singing,  and  a  few  re- 
marks from  myself  and  others,  after  which  the  entire  day 
and  evening  was  silent  in  feasting,  dancing  and  speaking. 


454      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Every  variety  almost  which  the  earth  produced,  or  skill 
could  ijrepare,  was  spread  out  iii  profusion  and  partaken 
of  hy  all — citizens,  strangers,  Spaniards  or  Indians — with 
that  freedom  and  good  order  which  is  characi  eristic  of  the 
Saints. 

The  dances  were  conducted  with  decorum  and  propriety. 
Old  and  young,  married  and  single,  grandsire  and  child, 
all  mingling  in  the  dance  so  far  as  they  chose,  without  a 
jarring  spirit  to  mar  their  peace. 

With  an  address  from  A.  Lyman,  a  few  words  from 
C.  C.  Eich  and  myself,  and  benediction,  we  closed,  about 
nine  P.  M.,  one  of  the  most  interesting  assemblies  of  the 
Sauits  in  this  place. 

Tuesday,  l^th. — All  being  ready,  we  took  leave  of  the 
Saints  in  San  Barnardino,  and  commenced  oiu'  journey  at 
nine  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Brothers  Rich  and  Lyman,  with  several  other  friends, 
accompanied  us  a  few  miles,  and  ox  teams  and  teamsters 
accompanied  us  for  three  days,  to  haul  us  over  the  Cajon 
Pass,  where  we  took  leave  of  them,  and  at  evening 
organized  our  company  as  follows  : — P.  P.  Pratt  and  wife, 
Rufus  Allen,  William  FoUett,  Clark  Ames,  Samuel  Gonld, 
Andrew  Calhoun  and  wife,  Elisha  Hyatt  wife  and  child, 
Thomas  Dowel,  John  Hyatt,  John  Green,  George  Clark. 
John  Green  was  appointed  captain  of  the  guard.  In  all, 
eleven   men,   four  women  and  one  child. 

We  were  soon  joined  by  five  Spaniards,  who  had  near 
forty  animals,  mostly  horses,  Avho  accompanied  us  for  some 
hundreds  of  miles,  and  joined  us  in  guarding,  etc.  Their 
animals  being  poor  and  unshod,  we  left  them  on  the  Rio 
Virgin.  We  met  a  company  of  twenty-four  emigrants  near 
the   Salt  Spring. 

On  the  Muddy  our  camp  was  thronged  with  near  sixty 
Indians,  in  a  state  of  nudity,  bringing  with  them  green 
com,  melons,  and  dressed  skins  for  sale,  or  exchange  for 
clothing.      They  were  all  good  natured  and  glad  to  see  usj 


ATTTOBIOGrRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  455 

some  of  them  accompanied  us  twenty-five  miles,  held  our 
horses,   guns,    etc.,    and    assisted    us    up    the    hills. 

After  twenty  days  we  all  arrived  in  safety  at  Santa 
Clara,  about  one  hundred  miles  from  the  settlement  in  Iron 
County. 

October  1th. — All  arrived  in  safety  in  the  settlement  in 
Iron  County,  Utah,  and  were  kindly  received  and  enter- 
tained by  the  Saints. 

I  called  on  sister  Eobinson  in  the  twilight  of  evening, 
and  asked  for  the  dinner  which  I  had  spoken  for  one  and 
a  half  years  before.  We  were  kindly  received  by  her  and 
others. 

We  tarried  three  days  in  Parowan  Fort  and  preached  to 
the  Saints. 

Taking  leave  of  the  Saints  we  resumed  our  journey. 
Nothing  worthy  of  note  transpired  during  the  rest  of  the 
journey,  which  was  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  mostly 
among  the  settlements,  where  we  were  kindly  entertained. 

On  the  18th,  near  midnight,  I  arrived  home.  I  found 
my  family  in  usual   health. 

On  my  arrival  home  I  found  my  wife,  Mary  Ann  Frost, 
and  my  two  children,  Olivia  and  Moroni,  who  had  arrived 
from  Maine,  where  they  had  been  for  several  years.  The 
two  children  were  glad  to  see  me,  but  their  mother  had 
for  several  years  been  alienated  from  me.  I,  however,  sup- 
ported her  until  the  following  spring,  when  she  apphed  for 
and  obtained  a  bill  of  divorce ;  after  which,  with  the  two 
children,  she  removed  to  Utah  County. 

I  spent  the  remainder  of  the  autumn  in  the  ministry,  and 
in   overseeing  and  assisting  in  farming,   fencing,  etc. 

I  was  also  chosen  a  member  of  the  Legislative  Council, 
to  which  I  devoted  forty  days,  commencing  in  December, 
1852.  Occupied  with  these  duties,  and  with  the  study 
of  Spanish,   the  year   1852  was  brought  to    a  close. 

January,  1853. — This  month  was  mostly  occupied  in  the 
legislative  councils. 


456 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


April  6th.— I  attended  a  General  Conference,  on  which 
occasion  the  corner  stones  of  the  Salt  Lake  Temple  were 
laid  by  the  first  Presidency,  Twelve  and  others.  "The 
Temple  Block  is  forty  rods  square,  the  lines  running- 
north  and  south,  east  and  west,  and  contains  ten  acres. 
The  centre  of  the  Temple  is  one  hundred  and  fifty-six 
feet  six  inches  due  west  from  the  centre  of  the  east  line 
of  the  block.    The  length  of  said  house,  east  and  west,  is 


SALT   LAKE   TEJrPLE,    IX   PROCESS   OF   ERECTION 

one  hundred  and  eighty-six  and  a  half  feet,  uiduding 
towers,  and  the  width  ninety-nine  feet.  On  the  east  end 
there  are  three  towers,  as  also  on  the  west.  Draw 
a  line  north  and  south,  one  hundred  and  eighteen  and  a 
half  feet,  through  the  centre  of  the  towers,  and  you  have 
the  north  and  south  extent  of  ground  plan,  including 
pedestal." 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PAliLEY     P.     PRATT.  457 

I  devoted  the  remainder  of  the  season  to  the  mmistry, 
and  to  farming,  building,  etc.,  not  wholly  neglecting  the 
study  of  Spanish. 

At  the  August  election  I  was  returned  to  the  Legislative 
Council  by  unanimous  vote,  and  in  December  following  1 
attended  its   session  till  the  end   of  the  year. 

January^  1854. — Still  in  legislative  session,  which  ad- 
journed the  latter  part  of  this  month. 

The  remamder  of  the  winter  was  spent  in  the  ministry ; 
in  the  active  duties  of  a  Eegent  of  the  Universitj^  of 
Deseret  (being  one  of  a  Committee  on  the  Deseret  Alphabet 
and  a  New  System  of  Orthography)  ;  in  teaching  a  class  iu 
the  Spanish  language  ;  in  ministering  in  the  ordinances  of 
the  endowments  in  the  house  of  the  Loi'd  ;  and  in  study- 
ing,  writing,   etc. 

At  a  General  Conference,  held  on  the  6th  day  of  April, 
I  was  appointed  to  a  second  mission  to  California.  Dona- 
tions were  contributed  to  aid  me  in   said  mission. 

May  5th. — I  took  leave  of  my  family  and  friends  iu  Salt 
Lake  City  and  started  on  my  second  mission  to  California. 

Brother  Thui'ston,  a  young  man  who  had  a  mission  to 
the  isles,  accompanied  me.  We  had  a  small  wagon,  drawn 
by  two  mules. 

At  Provo  we  joined  Governor  Young  and  train  on  their 
trip  south,  and  travelled  with  them  as  far  as  Cedar  City. 
At  Parowan  we  were  joined  by  elders  Silas  Smith  and 
brother  West,  who  had  also  been  selected  by  the  con- 
ference  as  missionaries  to  the  islands. 

At  this  place  brother  Young  gave  me  the  parting  hand 
and  blessed  me  ;  and  also  brother  Kimball  rose  up  and 
blessed  me,  and,  as  he  gave  me  the  parting  hand,  prom- 
ised many  good  things.  He  said  I  should  be  blest,  and 
my  posterity  forever. 

Here  we  parted — brother  Young  and  company  on  their 
return,  while  I  and  my  company  proceeded  on  our  Pa- 
cific Mission. 


458      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

^Near  Cedar  City  we  were  joined  by  other  missionaries, 
and  our  company  now  consisted  of  twenty-four  men  and 
one  woman. 

Nothing  of  iiarticular  note  occurred  on  our  journey,  and 
on  June  9th  we  arrived  safely  and  in  good  health  and 
spirits  at  San  Bamardino,  and  were  kindly  entertained  by 
elders  C.   C.   Eich  and  A.   Lyman. 

After  resting  a  few  days  I  here  left  the  main  company 
and  started  with  brother  J.  "VV.  Stewart  in  a  carriage  for 
the  port  of  San  Pedro — distance,  eighty-five  miles.  The 
road  was  good,  and  we  camped  out  two  nights  and  ar- 
rived on  the  14th,  and  were  kindly  received  by  Messrs. 
Alexander   &   Co.,   who  kept  the  warehouse. 

Here  I  unexpectedly  met  with  a  company  of  Saints 
from  Australia,  under  the  direction  of  elder  William  Hyde, 
and  we  mutually  rejoiced  in  meeting  friends. 

I  set  saU  on  the  steamer  "  Southerner "  for  San  Francisco 
on  June  24th,  and  had  kind  treatment  and  passage  free 
in  cabin.  We  had  head  winds  and  were  driven  back 
three  times^  being  five  days  longer  than  usual  on  the 
passage,  arriving  there  on  the  2d  of  July  in  safety.  In 
a  few  days  I  went  to  San  Jose  Valley,  and  at  brother 
Cheeney's  I  found  my  wife  Elizabeth,  in  very  poor  health 
— she  having  come  on  business  a  few  months  previous. 
We  rested  a  few  days  at  brother  Cheeney's  and  were 
kindly  entertained. 

We  then  returned  to  San  Francisco,  and  about  the 
10th  of  July  the  other  missionaries  arrived  from  San 
Bamardino.  I  met  brothers  Tanner  and  McBride,  who  had 
been  on  a  mission  to  the  Sandwich  isles  and  had  re- 
turned. Brother  Taniier  had  purchased  a  vessel  in 
order  to  transport  the  Elders  both  ways  and  to  emigrate 
the  Saints  ;  but  we  coidd  not  pay  for  it  and  fit  it  for 
sea,  notwithstanding  I  ran  in  debt  to  help  him,  so  we  had 
to  sell    it  at  a  gxeat  loss. 

We  now  commenced  holding  meetings,  circulating  books, 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      459 

tracts,   and    in    every  way  we    could,   to    notify    and    warn 

the  people. 

I  devoted  the  time  I  could  spar.^  from  tlic  ministry  to 
writing  my  history  and  for  the  press. 

Some  time  in  August  elders  George  Q.  Cannon,  J. 
Hawkins,  Bigler  and  Farran,  .  of  the  Island  Mission, 
lauded,  and  brother  Camion  assisted  me  some  forty  days 
in  copying  my  autobiography. 

About  the  last  of  August  the  foUowiug  was  pubUshed 
in   a  weekly   paper,  called  the    Chronicle,   of  San  Francisco: 

A   PROPHET    IS   A]VIONG    US. 

Mr.  Parley  P.  Pratt,  of  Salt  Lake  notoriety,  is  among 
us,  and  we  knew  it  not.  He  has  just  addressed  a  letter 
to  Mr.  J.  S.  Hittell,  whose  "proposed  course  of  lectures 
against  Christianity  "  appears  to  have  caught  the  Prophet's 

attention. 

As  Mr.  Pratt's  letter,  which  is  written  on  the  blank 
leaf  of  a  printed  Latter-Day  Saint's  circular,  is  curious 
and  characteristic,  we  give  a  copy  of  it.  We  also  give 
a  copy  of  the  circular  itself.  To  enable  the  reader  to 
understand  Mr.  Pratt's  aUusions  in  the  letter,  he  had  bet- 
ter first  glance  over  Mr.  Hittell's  advertisement  in  another 
column.  One  would  scarcely  have  thought  that  Mr.  Pratt 
coidd  seriously  expect  to  make  converts  to  his  faith  in 
this  "desperately  wicked"  California— the  A-ery  hell  on 
earth  of  the  "  Mormons."  But  so  it  seems  to  be.  We 
give  him  and  his  cause  aU  the  pubUcity  we  can,  by 
publishing  his   circular  gratuitously. 

San  Francisco,   September  1st,  1854. 
Mr.  Jno.   S.  Hittell. 

^,V— What  do  you  mean  by  the  term  "Christianity?" 
If  you  mean  the  system  taught  by  Christ  and  his  Apos- 
tles, as  recorded  in  the  "  New  Testament,"  you  need  give 
yourself  or    the    public  no    uneasiness,  for  no  such   system 


460      AUTOBIOGEAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PKATT. 

has  troubled  the  earth  for  the  last  thousand  years  at 
least,  so  far  as  we  have  any  knowledge,  except  in  the 
single  instance  of  its  restoration  in  the  United  States  by 
the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  ;  and  even  this  has  been  mis- 
named "  Mormonism,"  and  diiven  to  the  mountains  of  Utah. 

In  short,  this  Christianity  of  the  ifew  Testament  is  a 
sjstem  of  visions,  angels,  revelations,  prophecyings,  gifts, 
miracles,  etc.  Such  a  system  you  can  never  oppose — it 
speaks  and  acts  for  itself;  its  votaries  know  what  they 
exi)erience,   see,  hear  and  feel. 

As  to  the  modem  systems — the  forms  without  power, 
they  are  not  worth  opposing ;  they  are  dying  of  them- 
selves before  the  power  and  intelligence  of  truth  made 
manifest  by   "  Mormonism." 

I  am  happy  to   subscribe  myself 

The  friend  of   truth  and  man, 

Pakley  p.  Pratt. 

circular. 

Repent !  ye  people  of  California.  For  Jcnmc,  assuredly^ 
the  Kingdom  of  God  has  come  nigh  unto  you. 

]\Ir.  Pratt,  missionary  from  Salt  Lake,  will  impart  in- 
struction on  the  fubiess  of  the  Gospel  to  individuals,  fami- 
lies, or  congregations  who  may   desire  it. 

HaAdng  authority  of  Jesus  Christ  he  will  also  baptize 
by  immersion  in  Avater  for  remission  of  sins,  aud  admin- 
ister the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spuit  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands  to  all  penitent  believers  in  Christ  who  will  covenant 
to  cease  from  sin,  and  serve  God  with  all  their  hearts. 

Mr.  Pratt  \\ill  accept,  with  pleasure,  any  invitations 
from  his  feUow  citizens  to  preach  in  their  houses,  halls  or 
churches,  without  respect  to  party  or  sect. 

When  not  otherwise  engaged,  he  will  hold  public  meetings 
at  his  residence  on  each  Sunday,  at  the  usual  hours;  also, 
prayer  meetings  on  Thursdays,  at  two  P.  M. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      461 

The  following-  appeared  in  the  Christian  Advocate  of  San 
Francisco,  September  22  : 

CASE   OP  DEFAMATION. 

P.  P.  Pratt,  an  Apostle  of  "  Mormonism,"  takes  us  to 
task  in  no  measured  terms  for  our  luiregenerate  temerity, 
in  daring  to  quote  from  the  Biclimond  Despatcli  Dr.  Ferris's 
account  of  the  "  Mormon "  community  at  Salt  Lake.  To 
have  a  man  i)ossessed  of  divine  authority,  and  capable  of 
raising  the  dead,  threaten  us  so,  is  truly  awful.  ]\Ien 
have  pursued  us  with  bludgeons  and  revolvers  before,  but 
this  thing  of  being  sent  straight  down  to  the  bottom  of 
the  bad  place,  is  a  sprinkle  more  terrific  than  carnal 
weapons. 

We  are  half  inclined  to  repent,  as  much  as  we  can, 
without  doubting  a  word  of  Dr.  Ferris's  description. 

Our  readers  will  rejoice  to  know,  from  an  apostle  of  Joe 
Smithism,  that  all  lyings,  and  decei\'ings,  and  priestcrafts 
and   ichoredoms   shall  be  done  away.     Here  is  the  letter: 

Woe  to  you,  priests,  editors,  hypocrites  !  You  love  to 
publish  lies  to  destroy  the  innocent.  You  condemn  the  just, 
ar,d  he  doth  not  resist  you. 

Eead  your  Christian  Advocate  of  September  15,  headed 
"  The  Mormons,"  and  tremble  ;  for  God  will  not  suffer  such 
lies  to  be  pubUshed  with  impunity.  '^For,"  thus  saith 
the  Lord :  "all  lyings,  and  deceivings,  and  priestcrafts 
and  whoredoms  shall  be  done  away,  and  whosoe^^er  will 
not  repent  and  come  unto  my  beloved  Son,  will  I  cut 
off  from  among  the  people,  and  I  will  execute  vengeance 
and  fury  upon  them,  even  as  upon  the  heathen,  such  as 
have  not  heard." 

J^ow,  Messrs.  Heath,  Taylor,  Blain  and  Philips,  you 
know  in  your  own  hearts  that  you  have  published  lies 
enough  about  the  ''  Mormons "  to  sink  you  and  those  who 
patronize  your  publications  to  the  lowest  heU  with  mur- 
derers. 


462       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

You  know  the  people  of  Salt  Lake  to  be  an  innocent 
community,  therefore,  repent  quickly,  or  your  damnation  is 
sealed,  and  your  hands  will  be  found  dripping  with  inno- 
cent blood.  Yours,   etc., 

P.  P.  Pratt. 

A  few  more  such  will  cause  us  to  retire  to  private 
]ife.— [Eds. 

A  CHALLENGE. 

Editor's  Chronicle  : — I  perceive  by  the  tone  of  the  press 
that  politicians,  moralists  and  religionists  are  in  trouble 
about  Utah  and  Polygamy.  "War!"  "war!"  "blood!"  and 
"  destruction "  to  the  poor  heathen  Mormons!  But,  thanks 
to  the  pious  Methodists,  the  Mormons  are  going  to  be  con- 
verted first.      Missionaries  are  going  to  be  sent  to  them. 

It  is  the  right  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  to 
appoint  a  Governor,  and  to  send  troops  to  Utah.  The 
citizens  of  that  territory  know  this,  and  have  no  objections. 
But  suppose  a  Governor  and  troops  went  there  to  inter- 
fere with  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  people  and  tram- 
ple on  the  laws,  why  then,  of  course,  the  aggressors,  in 
common  with  all  others,  are  amenable  to  the  civil  courts, 
and  are  liable  to  fine,  unprisonment  or  execution,  according 
to  their  crimes.  Even  if  they  only  threaten,  they  might 
be  bound  over  to  keep  the  peace.  The  courts  of  Utah 
have  never ,  yet  been  found  remiss  in  the  execution  of  the 
laws. 

What  is  the  i^articular  crime  alleged  against  the  Gover- 
nor and  citizens  of  Utah,  for  which  they  are  threatened  with 
destruction  or  conversion  ? 

We  will  be  told  it  is  Polygamy.  Well,  "  sin,"  says  the 
Apostle,  "  is  the  transgression  of  law."  We  should  greatly 
I)refer  conversion  to  murder,  and  here  permit  me  to  sug- 
gest a  i)lan  for  a  wholesale  conversion,  without  a  droj)  of 
blood  or  even  the  trouble  of  a  journey  to  Utah. 

I  am  here  in  California  as   an  official    member  and    rep- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      463 

resentative  of  the  Church  in  Utah,  for  which  I  can  pro- 
duce credentials.  I  am  willing  to  meet  a  convention  of 
the  ablest  lawyers  and  clergy  to  be  found  in  our  country, 
and  I  hereby  pledge  my  honor  that  I  will  publicly  re- 
nounce Polygamy,  and  that  the  Church  I  represent  will  do 
the  same,  on  the  following  conditions,  viz  : 

The  Old  and  New  Testaments,  the  Constitution  and  laws 
of  the  United  States,  and  the  laws  of  Utah  Territory 
shall  be  then-  standard  ;  and  if  in  all  this  wide  range  one 
item  of  law  can  be  found  wherein  God,  angels,  men, 
prophets,  apostles,  the  Son  of  God  or  the  Holy  Spirit 
have  made  plurality  of  wives  a  crime,  a  transgression  of 
law  or  an  immorality,  then,  on  these  conditions,  we  will 
renounce  Polygamy.  But  till  this  is  done  we  shall  hold 
the  law  of  God  on  the  subject  of  matrimony,  including  a 
plurality  of  wives,  as  a  most  sacred  institution,  binding  on 
our  own  consciences,  in  the  free  exercise  of  which  we  claim 
the  protection  so  freely  and  fully  guaranteed  by  the  con- 
stitution of  our  common  country. 

If  editors  in  general  throughout  the  country  will  please 
publish  this,  it  may  tend  to  investigation  and  enlighten- 
ment, either  of  the  "poor,  ignorant  Mormons,"  or  of  those 
who  tliink  them  so  far  out  of  the  way. 

Santa  Clara,  Xovemher  22d,  1854.  ^-  ^-  PR^tt- 

December  dth. — I  returned  to  San  Francisco,  and  on  the 
second  evening  attended  a  discussion  at  the  Mercantile 
Library  Association,  on  the  subject  of  Governor  Young, 
the  Utah  Mormons  and  the  general  government.  Spoke 
several  times,  and  was  appointed  to  make  the  opening 
speech  in  one  week  from  that  time  on  the  same  subject, 
and  to  be  answered  by  Eev.  Mr.  Briggs. 

PROM  THE  DALLY    "  ALT  A    CALtFORNLA.." 

Mr.  Parley  P.  Pratt,  for  whom  we  have  considerable 
respect  as  a  man  and  as  a  teacher,  coupled  with  as  much 


464      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

admiration  of  his  talent  as  the  doctriries  which  he  employs 
to  defend  it  ^11  admit  of,  Mr.  Parley  P.  Pratt  appears  to 
have  walked  into  the  temples  of  our  money  changers  in 
this  city,  and  faMy  put  to  flight  all  reason  and  philosophy 
by  the  boldness  of  his  attack  upon  the  Christian  Church. 

Our  readers  wiU  remember  Mr.  Pratt  as  the  self-con- 
fessed Apostle  of  Polygamic  Mormonism  in  California,  and 
his  last  exploit  was  to  draw  upon  him  the  fire  of  a  room 
full  of  debaters  in  the  San  Francisco  Mercantile  Library 
Association,  and  then  commenced  a  bombardment  of  the 
citadel  of  their  reason,  and  silenced  or  rendered  useless 
every  gun  !  For  several  weeks  Mr.  Pratt  has  been  wheel- 
ing and  charging  his  squadron  of  polygamic  arguments  in 
fiiU  sight  of  all  our  church  doors  and  lecture  rooms,  and 
even  advanced  in  person  to  the  foot  of  our  pulpits  to  pro- 
claim himself  the  defender  of  a  new  faith,  flinging  the 
glove  even  into  the  minister's  desk. 

Up  to  the  i)resent  time,  we  believe,  no  David  has  gone 
forth  against  this  Philistine  to  meet  him  on  either  point 
of  law,  morality  or  religion,  which  he  declares  himself 
ready  to  engage  an  enemy  upon. 

We  naturally  ask,  why  is  this  ?  In  a  city  with  so 
many  well  supported  churches  and  able  divines,  can  no  one 
be  found  to  match  this  champion  of  the.  Mormons  !  Or 
are  the  abhorrence  and  contempt  of  such  doctrines,  and 
scorn  of  their  advocates  so  great  as  to  stifle  the  power 
of  expression  among  our  worthy  controversialists  ?  Either 
of  these  causes,  we  consider  fallacious  and  bad.  Passion 
should  play  no  part  in  the  impulses  of  Christian  minds, 
and  we  much  doubt  the  ijropriety  of  contemning  a  doctrine 
because  of  its  low  origin,  or  despismg  argument  because 
it  may  not  present  a  resjiectable  exterior.  Missionaries  are 
sent  to  the  heathen;  and  why  should  discussion  be  denied 
heathenistic  doctrines  when  they  are  brought  to  our  own 
very  doors  ? 

We  have  very  worthy  and  respectable  street  preachers  in 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      465 

San  Francisco,  and  we  do  not  see  how  a  religious  discus- 
sion with  a  Mormon  would  x)rofane  the  walls  of  any  one 
of  oiu"  churches,  or  taint  the  reputation  of  any  of  our 
ministers  of  the  gospel. 

Mr.  Pratt  seems  to  have  the  best  of  the  law  on  his 
side  so  far  as  the  situation  of  the  Salt  Lake  people  is 
concerned  ;  under  our  territorial  regulations  there  really 
appears  to  be  no  law  to  prevent  Polygamy. 

December  dth. — Retui'ned  to  Santa  Clara  by  steamer  and 
stage,   and  foiuid  all  well. 

Smiday,  10th. — Preached  twice  to  an  attentive  and  some- 
what numerous  audience  in  a  large  and  commodious  hall. 
Visited  and  wrote  history  the  four  following  days,  and  in- 
structed such   as  sought  me. 

Friday,  lotJi. — Eepaired  again  to  San  Francisco  in  com- 
pany with  some  five  of  my  friends,  and  at  evening  attended 
the  discussion.  The  place  was  crowded,  and  God  gave  me 
His  Spirit,   and  truth  triumiihed. 

30 


CHAPTER     LI. 

REPLY    TO    THE     REV.    MR.    BRIGGS 

On    the    Subject    of    the    Expediency    of    the    Reappointment    of    His 
Excellency   Governor  Toung,   of  Utah. 

MY  friend,  Mr.  Briggs,  iu  the  fiiliiess  of  his  charity  as 
a  "  peacemaker,"  the  other  evening  kindly,  gently, 
and  in  a  Christian-like  manner  merely  suggested  a  few 
pious  ideas  concerning  myself;  such  as  theft,  robbery, 
murder,  etc.,  being  considered  no  crime  by  me  and  the 
"  Mormons,"  provided  these  crimes  were  committed  on  the 
Gentiles,   and  in  favor  of  the  Church  treasury,   etc. 

This  puts  me  in  mind  of  the  good,  peaceable  Quaker 
who  said  to  a  poor  dog  which  he  wanted  killed,  "I  will 
not  kdl  thee,  but  I  ^yill  give  thee  a  bad  name."  So  he 
cried,  "  Mad  dog  !  Mad  dog  !"  And  on  hearing  this  cry 
the  people  soon  despatched  the  poor  animal. 

Perhaps  my  friend  thinks  to  get  the  Mormons  killed  off 
in  the  same  pious  and  Christian-like  manner.  Even  should 
he  succeed  iu  his  peaceful,  jnous  piu-poses,  it  would  not  be 
the  first  time  that  the  blood  of  martyrs' has  stained  our 
soil  through  the  influence  of  such  Christian  benevolence. 

I  am  truly  sorry  to  see  so  worthy  a  fellow  citizen — so 
pious  a  man — one  so  full  of  charity  and  benevolence — so 
uninformed,  so  utterly  at  fault  on  the  most  familiar  sub- 
jects of  Bible  history  and  morality,  or  of  right  and  wrong, 
as  to  insinuate  that  there  is  no  difference  between  Polj^gamy 
and  adultery  ;  between  a  house  full  of  wives  and  children 
and  a  house  full  of  harlots. 

He  takes  Polygamy,  adidtery,  theft  and  murder,  and  com- 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      467 

pounds  them  all  together  as  crime !  And  then  seems  to 
infer  that  a  man  would  steal,  commit  adultery,  etc.,  simply 
from  the  fact  that  he  has  a  house  full  of  wives  and 
children  !  And  even  my  good  friend,  the  learned  and 
candid  Mr.  Hittell,  although  very  just  in  the  main  drift  of 
his  argument,  the  other  evening  seemed  to  recognize  no 
very  clear  distinction  between  Polygamy  and  adultery,  or 
between  a  man  having  his  own  wife  or  wives,  or  robbing 
a  neighbor  of  his  wife. 

Sir,  in  justice  to  myself  and  the  cause  I  represent,  and 
in  charity  to  those  whose  judgments  are  so  warped  by 
tradition  and  custom ;  whose  otherwise  keen  perceptions 
are  so  blunted  by  Eoman  superstitions  and  Puritan  little- 
ness, I  must  call  the  attention  of  these  gentlemen  to  the 
recognized  standard  of  all  Christian  nations — "  The  law 
and  Testimony'" — and  give  them  a  lesson  on  the  first  prin- 
ciples of  right  and  wrong,  or  of  virtues  and  vices,  accord- 
ing to   the  laws   of  God   and  nature. 

I  will  state  the  question  direct,  as  inferred  or  inquired, 
by  my  friend  the  "  peace  maker."  What  is  the  difference 
between  a  house  full  of  wives  and  children  or  a  house  of 
"  ill  fame,"   or  of  "  harlots  ?" 

Sk,  I  will  tell  you.  The  one  leads  to  life  and  the  other 
to  death — I  mean  literally — or,  in  plainer  language,  one 
rightly  conducted,  under  the  blessings  and  law  of  God, 
multiplies,  preserves  and  trains  our  species  in  the  highest 
order  of  physical,  moral  and  intellectual  endowment;  fills 
the  world  with  cities ;  gives  rise  to  nations ;  and  has  given 
to  the  world  its  i^rincipal  rulers,  kings,  prophets,  apostles, 
and,  finally,  its  Messiah,  and  is  the  lineage  and  order 
through  and  in   which  all   nations   shall   be  blessed. 

The  other  perverts  the  order  of  nature ;  prostitutes  the 
most  holy  principles  and  affections  to  the  \ilest  of  jjur- 
])Oses ;  checks  the  reproduction  of  our  species ;  spreads 
disease  and  death  as  a  sweeping  pestilence  through  the 
world ;    degenerates   the  race  j    and  if  it    fills   the  world   at 


468       AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

all,  fills  it  with  a  mean,  grovelling,  sickly,  puny,  lustful, 
deformed  and  miserable  race  of  beings,  whose  misfortune 
is  that  they  were  born   at  all. 

Such  were  the  i)eople  of  the  flood ;  the  people  of  Sodom 
and  the  Canaanites,  who  were  so  far  degenerated  that  the 
Lord  in  mercy  interfered,  and  doomed  them  to  utter  de- 
struction, that  nations  and  races  so  degenerate  should  no 
longer  propagate  their  species :  and  then,  by  his  own  holy 
laws  of  marriage,  repeopled  those  same  countries  wdth  a 
better  race. 

As  polygamists  Abraham  and  Jacob  were  the  friends  of 
God ;  were  worthy  to  converse  with  Him,  and  to  receive 
His  blessing  on  themselves  and  their  wives  and  children ; 
worthy  of  associating  with  angels  from  Heaven,  and  of 
being  filled  with  the  holy  and  j)ure  spirit  of  prophecy  and 
of  revelation ;  while,  for  their  sakes,  kings  were  reproved, 
saying,  "  touch  not  mine  owti  anointed,  and  do  my  pro- 
phets no  harm." 

As  a  polygamist  Jacob  gave  twelve  tribes  to  the  world 
instead  of  two,  which  was  the  number  born  by  his  first 
intended,  his  beloved  Each  el.  While,  on  the  other  hand, 
his  sons  visited  a  whole  city  with  the  sword,  because  its 
ruler  had   seduced   their  sister  Dinah. 

As  a  polygamist  Moses  beheld  the  face  of  God,  and  was 
filled  with  His  glory  to  that  degree  that  his  face  shone 
like  that  of  an   angel. 

As  an  adulterist,  a  prince  of  Israel,  named  Ziniri,  was 
killed  in  the  very  act  by  Phineas  the  priest,  the  grandson 
of  Aaron ;  which  act  of  justice  so  i)leased  the  Lord  that 
he  stayed  the  plague  which  was  consummg  the  camp  on 
account  of  their  Avhoredoms. 

The  law  of  God  regulating  and  sanctioning  Polygamy  w^as 
thundered  from  Mount  Sinai  in  awful  majesty,  from  the 
mouth  of  the  God  of  Israel,  although  it  had  existed  be- 
fore, and  also  among  the  eternal  and  unchangeable  prin- 
ciples  of  morality,  virtue  and  purity. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      469 

While,  on  the  other  hand,  the  same  God,  in  a  voice  of 
thunder,  proclaimed,  "  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery,  nor 
covet  thy  neighbor's  wife,  or  anything  that  is  thy  neighbor's." 

As  a  bigamist,  Elkanah,  who  had  two  wives,  became  the 
father  of  Samuel,  the  Prophet ;  he  being  a  child  of  pro- 
mise, obtained  by  the  fervent  prayer  of  Hannah,  his 
mother,  in  the  Holy  Temple,  and  by  her  vows  devoted  to 
the  service  of  the  Temjile  from  his  childhood.  While,  on 
the  other  hand,  had  he  been  a  child  of  whoredoms,  in- 
stead of  a  child  of  bigamy,  he  would  have  been  excluded 
from  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  his  children  after  him, 
for  ten   generations. 

The  first  revelation  ever  given  to  this  child  of  bigamy 
rebuked  the  priests,  the  sons  of  Eli,  Raphni  and  Phineas^ 
for  their  whoredoms  and  other  sins,  and  revealed  their 
dooms  In  fulfilment  of  his  words  these  two  fornicators 
fell  in  battle  while  bearing  the  very  Ark  of  God. 

As  a  polygamist,  Da\id,  the  anointed  King  and  Prophet 
of  Israel,  was  called  a  man  after  God's  own  heart ;  and 
God  himself  expressly  declares,  by  the  mouth  of  Kathan 
the  Prophet,  that  he  gave  him  his  wives. 

While,  as  an  adulterer  with  the  wife  of  Uriah,  and  the 
murderer  of  her  husband,  he  is  reproved  by  the  word  of 
the  Lord;  and,  although  he  sorely  repented,  yet  the  child 
of  his  adulterj'  died ;  and  his  punishment  was,  that  the 
sword  should  not  depart  from  his  house ;  that  his  wives 
should  be  taken  from  him  and  given  to  another ;  and  his 
own  salvation  was  suspended  for  ages — the  Apostle  'Peter 
himself  declaring,  in  his  day,  that  the  patriarch,  David,  had 
not  yet  ascended  into  Heaven. 

As  polygamists,  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob  are  approved 
and  commended  by  Jesus  Christ,  who  expressly  declares 
that,  "  many  shall  come  from  the  east,  and  from  the  west, 
and  from  the  north,  and  from  the  south;  and  shall  set 
down  with  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob  in  the  Kingdom  of 
God."    While,  at  the  same  tLme,  he  declares   that,   "  those 


■470  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PAULEY     P.     PRATT. 

wicted  and  adulterous  persons,  who,  in  tliat  age,  considered 
themselves  the  children  of  the  kingdom,  should  be  thrust 
out."  I  sincerely  hope  my  mistaken  Mends  here  will  learn, 
ere  that  eventful  day,  to  distinguish  between  a  house  of 
Polygamy  and  a  crowd  of  adulterers ;  but  they  might  by 
mistake  consider  the  kingdom  of  God  a  house  of  ill  fame, 
and  go  yrith  the  wrong  crowd. 

Sir,  the  Apostle  Paul  sets  forth  Abraham,  the  polygam- 
ist,  as  the  father  of  the  faithful ;  worthy  of  all  imitation, 
as  heir  of  the  eternal  covenants  and  promises ;  in  whose 
seed  all  nations  shall  be  blessed.  He  shows,  most  clearly, 
that  the  gospel  introduces  us  into  the  family  of  polygam- 
ists;  makes  us  children  of  Abraham,  and  heirs  to  the 
same   covenants. 

On  the  other  hand,  this  same  Apostle  declares  that  adul- 
terers and  fornicators  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of 
God. 

Again,  sir,  John  the  Revelator  describes  the  eternal  Je- 
rusalem of  Heaven,  the  Eoyal  City  of  our  God,  as  peopled 
and  governed  by  the  great  family  of  polygamists;  which, 
in  its  lineage,  includes  Jesus  and  the  holy  prophets  and 
apostles  of  all  ages.  The  pearly  gates  are  embellished  with 
the  names  of  twelve  polygamists,  the  sons  of  four  women 
by  one  man. 

While,  on  the  other  hand,  this  same  John  expressly  de- 
clares, that  the  place  for  all  liars,  sorcerers,  whoremongers 
and  adulterers  is  outside ;  and  that  there  shall  in  no 
wise  enter  into  the  city  anything  that  defileth  or  maketh 
a  lie. 

Now  to  come  to  Utah.  There,  sir,  the  law  of  God  is 
honored ;  by  it  we  determine  what  is  virtue  and  what  is 
vice.  Here,  sir,  if  nowhere  else  in  Christendom,  our  vir. 
tuous  wives  and  children,  given  us  by  the  law  of  God,  are 
our  glory ;  our  crown  of  rejoicing  ;  our  Mngdom  in  embryo, 
big  with  thrones  of  power  and  immortality.  There,  sii^, 
the    local    administration   carries   out    the    priuciples   of  the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      471 

glorious  Coustitutiou  aud  laws  of  oiu*  common  country — 
even  to  tlie  protection  of  prophets  and  apostles,  who  have 
dared  to  restore  the  Laws  of  God,  and  to  organize  and 
regulate  their  household  by  the  same.     And — 

Sir,  I  have  yet  to  learn  by  what  constitutional  or  moral 
right  a  local  State  sovereignty  makes  a  crime  of  that 
which,  rightly  conducted,  never  has  been  recognized  as  a 
crime  by  God,  or  angels,  prophets  or  apostles,  or  even  by 
the   Sa^doiu'  of  the   world. 

I  have  yet  to  learn  by  what  right  a  State  of  this 
Union  dooms  a  man  to  x>rison  for  a  conscientious  act,  in 
embracing  the  everlasting  covenant,  made  with  Abraham 
and  the  fathers ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  a  fornicator,  who 
by  the  law  of  God,  is  worthy  of  death,  runs  at  large,  or, 
at  most,  pays  a  fine  for  his  damnable  deeds  of  seduction, 
and  then  is  at  liberty  to  repeat  them,  while  Ms  purse 
will  hold  out  to  pay  the  repeated  fines  and  damages. 

I  have  yet  to  learn  that  a  State  has  the  constitutional 
right  to  deprive  a  Mormon,  a  Jew,  or  even  a  Mahomedan 
or  Pagan  of  his  most  sacred  rights  of  conscience  in  re- 
gard to  marriage  relations  or  family  ties ;  while  they  are 
regulated  by  the  recognized  laws  of  the  Bible,  or  of  most 
ci^aMzed  nations   of  ancient  and  modern  times. 

Kow,  sir,  let  me  say  that,  on  account  of  the  corrupt  in- 
stitutions, and  the  prevalence  of  whoredoms  in  modem 
Christendom,  the  race  is  degenerated;  the  cities  and  nations 
are  corrupted  till  earth  groans ;  the  heavens  weej) ;  the 
sun  will,  ere  long,  veil  his  face  in  shame ;  the  moon  be 
arrayed  in  crimson  blushes ;  the  stairy  heavens  tremble ; 
the  planets  be  thrown  from  their  orbits,  and  tremble  for 
very  anguish ;  w^hile  plagues,  earthquakes,  storms  and  tem- 
pests sweep  the  earth,  and  famine  and  the  sword  devour 
the  wicked;  while  fire  consumes  the  mystic  Babel,  the 
great  whore  of  aU  the   earth. 

Then  will  prevail  the  kingdom  of  our  God,  and  the 
power  of   his    Christ;    "  and  the    saints    shall    i)osses8  the 


472      AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

kingdom  and  tlie  greatness  of  the  kingdom  under  the 
whole  heaven,"  while  the  meek  inherit  the  earth ;  and  the 
house  of  Israel,  under  the  new  and  everlasting  covenant 
of  eternal  matrimony,  blossom  and  bear  fruit,  and  fill  the 
face  of  the  world  with  cities. 

Men,  brethren  and  fathers  :  It  is  for  the  hope  of  Israel 
the  eternal  laws,  promises  and  covenants  of  God  made  to 
the  fathers,  that  myself  and  the  "  Mormons "  are  called 
in  question. 

We  believe  the  prophets,  sir,  and,  therefore,  expect  the 
wreck  of  nations  ;  the  casting  down  of  thrones  ;  the  crash 
of  states,  and  the  winding  up  of  all  mere  human  institu- 
tions ;  while  a  new  dynasty,  as  a  universal  Theocracy,  shaU 
succeed  and  stand  forever. 

The  nucleus  of  this  kingdom,  sir,  is  formed  ;  this  grain 
of  mustard  seed  is  planted  and  has  spiking  up,  and  is  be- 
ginning to  grow  and  flourish  in  the  heart  of  our  country, 
under  the  fostering  care  and  constitutional  guarantee  of  the 
very  best    human  government    now   existing  on  this  earth. 

Sir,  God  raised  up  the  United  States  and  influenced  her 
constitutional  institutions  for  the  very  puriiose  of  shielding 
and  protecting  the  church  in  the  wilderness,  and  all  men 
in  their  liberties,  and  of  throwing  a  guard  around  His  em- 
bryo kingdom  till  He  should  come,  whose  right  it  is  to 
reign   and  subdue  all  enemies  under  his  feet. 

His  kingdom,  sir,  when  organized,  in  the  United  States,  is 
a  constitutional  kingdom  of  God.  It  has  the  perfect  liberty 
and  right,  guaranteed  by  our  institutions,  to  organize  itself 
under  the  administration  of  prophets  and  apostles,  and  to 
receive  the  ministration  of  angels,  and  of  visions  and  reve- 
lations from  Heaven. 

Sir,  one  of  the  strongest  reasons  I  urge  for  the  reap- 
pointment of  Governor  Young  is,  that  as  a  j^olygamist, 
civilian  and  an  ecclesiastic,  he  has  given  the  strongest  proof 
of  his  skiU  in  the  science  of  government,  whether  of 
Family,  Church  or  State. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      473 

Sunday^  17. — Met  with  the  Saints  twice,  and  preached  to 
them,  and  were  truly  blessed ;  and  partook  of  the  ordi- 
nance of  bread  and  wine,  in  remembrance  of  our  Lord. 
Next  day  I  repaired  to  Oakland  and  met  the  Lyceums, 
and  made  arrangements  for  discussing  polygamy  on  the 
next  evening;  and,  according  to  appointment  (Tuesday,  19), 
met  the  Lyceum  and  a  large  assembly  of  both  sexes,  and 
discussed  the  law  of  maniages  till  eleven  o'clock  at  night. 
Truth  was  triumphant,  and  my  adversaries   confounded. 

On  the  last  of  the  month  we  convened  a  General  Con- 
ference at  Santa  Clara,  of  two  days,  during  which  five 
branches  were  represented — in  all  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty  members.  We  had  a  joyful  time,  much  good  teach- 
ing, and  many  out  to  hear. 


CHAPTER     LII. 

Statements  Pertaining  to  the  History  of  Josepli  Smith  : — Return  to  Utah  ; — 
Home  Mission  : — -Attend  the  Legislature  at  Fillmore  : — The  Standard  of 
Zion  : — Return    to   Salt   Lake    City. 

February  24:th. 

I  SAT  for  a  large  likeness,  taken  in  daguerrotjije,  as  a 
keepsake  for  my  family,  being  lorty-seven  years  ten 
months  and  twelve  days  old.  I  presented  this  to  my  son 
Parley,  to  be  handed  down  from  generation  to  generation, 
as  long  as  it  will  last. 

In  March  a  Council  was  held  at  my  office,  and  it  was 
concluded  to  remove  the  Conference  of  the  Gth  of  April 
next  from  Santa  Clara  to  San  Francisco,  where  I  also 
moved  my  wife  and  made  my  home  during  the  remainder 
of  my  mission. 

April  12th. — This  is  my  birthday.  I  am  forty-eight  years 
old.  I  wrote  letters  for  home  to-day  and  sent  a  set  of 
books,  viz.,  "  Book  of  Mormon,"  "  Doctrine  and  Cove- 
nants," "  Hymn  Book,"  "  Voice  of  Warning,"  "  Harp  of 
Zion,"  etc.,  to  each  of  my  wives  and  to  Parley,  Olivia  and 
Moroni,  my  elder  children ;  also,  books  to  my  younger 
children,  Alma,  Nephi,  Heleman,  Julia,  Lucy,  Agatha,  Be- 
linda and  Abinadi,  Cornelia  and  Malona,  and  small  presents 
and  candies  for  the  little  ones,  Phebe,  Hannaliette,  Mary, 
Lehi  and  Moroni  W.,  all  as  a  birthday  present  or  memo- 
rial. 

In  May  I  received  a  letter  from  President  Young  coun- 
selling me  to  return  home  this  coming  summer. 

Jurw  Sth. — The  sad  news  reached  us  to-day  of  brother 
Silas  Beckwith  being  murdered  and  buried.      This  Beckwith 


AUTOBIOGKAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      475 

was  one  of  the  3Iorinoii  Battalion  in  the  Mexican  war,  and 
was,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  a  worthy  member  and 
teacher  in  the   San   Juan  branch. 

I  visited  his  widow  and  oqihans,  and  spent  some  hours 
m  the  house  of  mourning-.  On  my  second  visit  I  gained 
and  wrote  down  the  following  statements  pertaining  to  the 
history   of  Joseph   Smith  : 

Mrs.  Eunice  Coriuthia  Beckwith,  formerly  Mrs.  Lawn 
(whose  father's  name  was  Joshua  Twitchell),  was  the  widow 
of  John  Lawn,  captain  of  a  company  of  Illinois  Militia,  of 
McDonough  County,  who  guarded  Joseph  and  Hyrum  Smith 
in  Carthage  Jail  until  the  morning  of  the  day  they  vrere 
martyred,  when  himself  and  company  were  disbanded  by 
order  of  Governor  Ford,  and  started  for  home,  leaving  the 
prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the   Carthage  Greys. 

On  taking  leave  of  the  prisoners  he  gave  his  hand, 
received  Joseph's  blessing,  and  heard  him  say  most 
solemnly  :  "  Farewell,  Captain  Lawn  ;  when  you  and  your 
men  leave  me  my  life  gniard  is  gone."  Previous  to  this, 
however,  Joseph  had  read  to  him  the  fifty-fifth  Psalm,  and 
told  him  to  remember  that  chapter  and  read  it  to  his 
friends  when  he  arrived  home.  One  of  the  Carthage  Greys 
also  read  in  leply   the  sixty-first   Psalm. 

Captain  Lawn  and  his  troops  had  marched  about  twelve 
miles  towards  home  when  the  news  reached  them  of  the 
martyrdom  !  At  this  he  exclaimed  :  "■  O  that  I  had  known 
of  this  massacre,  so  soon  to  transpire  !  I  would  have  re- 
mained, and,  Avhen  the  first  ball  was  fired  at  the  Smiths, 
I  would  have  fired  the  second  through  the  body  of  the 
villain  who  fired  it  or  died  in  the  attempt." 

A  man  named  Townsend,  liNing  in  Iowa,  near  Fort  Madi- 
son, was  one  of  the  mob  who  assaulted  and  forced  in 
the  jail  door.  The  pistol  discharged  by  Joseph  Smith 
wounded  him  in  the  arm,  near  the  shoulder,  and  it  con- 
tinued to  rot  ^Yithout  healing  until  it  was  taken  oft',  and 
even  then  it  would  not  heal. 


476      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAKLEY  P.  PRATT. 

About  six  months  after  he  was  shot  Mrs.  Lawn  saw 
his  arm  and  dressed  it.  He  was  then  gradually  rotting 
and  dying  with  the  wound.  He  staid  over  night  with 
]Mrs.  Lawn's  father,  and  groaned  through  the  night  with- 
out sleeping.  He  asked  the  old  gentleman  what  he  thought 
of  Joseph  Smith  being  a  Projihet  ?  He  replied  that  he 
did  not  know.  "  Well,"  said  Townsend,  "  I  hnoic  lie  teas 
a  Frophet  of  God !  And,  oh,  that  I  had  staid  at  home 
and  minded  my  own  business,  and  then  I  would  not  have 
lost  my  life  and  been  tormented  with  a  guilty  conscience, 
and  with  this  dreadful  wound,  which  none  can  heal  P  He 
died  two  or  three  months  afterwards,  having  literally  rot- 
ted alive  ! 

James  Head,  of  McComb,  was  also  one  of  the  murderers 
at  the  Carthage  Jail ;  he  was  heard  by  Captain  Lawn  and 
others  to  boast  of  it  afterwards,  and  Captain  Lawn  drew 
a  pistol  and  chased  him ;  but  he  ran  away.  He-  was 
always  gloomy  and  troubled  from  the  time  he  helped  to 
murder  the  Smiths,  and  frequently  declared  that  he  saw 
the  two  martyrs  always  before  him  !      He  had  no  jjeace. 

A  colonel  of  the  Missouri  mob,  who  helped  to  drive, 
plunder  and  murder  the  Mormons,  tlied  in  the  hospital  at 
Sacramento,  1849.  Beckwith  had  the  care  of  him  5  he  was 
eaten  ^vith  worms — a  large  black  headed  kind  of  maggot — 
which  passed  through  him  by  myriads,  seemingly  a  half 
pint  at  a  time !  Before  he  died  these  maggots  were  crawl- 
ing out  of  his  mouth  and  nose  !  He  literally  rotted  aUve ! 
Even  the  flesh  on  his  legs  burst  open  and  fell  from  the 
bones  !  They  gathered  up  the  rotten  mass  in  a  blanket 
and  buried  him,   without  awaiting  a  coffin  ! 

A  Mr.  ,  one  of  Missouri  mob,  died  in  the  same  hos- 
pital about  the  same  time,  and  under  the  care  of  Mr. 
Beckwith.  His  face  and  jaw  on  one  side  literally  rotted, 
and  half  of  his  face  actuallj'  fell  off!  One  eye  rotted  out, 
and  half  of  his  nose,  mouth  and  jaw  fell  from  the  bones  ! 
The  doctor  scraped  the  bones,   and  unlocked  and  took  out 


AUTOBIOGrRAPHY     OF     PAULEY     P.     PRATT.  477 

his  jaw  from  the  joint  round  to  the  centre  of  the  chin. 
The  rot  and  maggots  continued  to  eat  till  thej'  ate  through 
the  large  or  jugular  rem  of  his  neck,  and  he  bled  to 
death !  He,  as  well  as  Townsend,  stank  so  previous  to 
their  death  that  they  had  to  be  placed  in  rooms  by  them- 
selves, and  it  "was  almost  impossible  to  endure  their  pre- 
sence, and  the  flies  could  not  be  kept  from  blowing  them 
while  alive  ! 

Wm.  T.  Head,  an  officer  in  Captain  La^\Ti's  company, 
and  tarrying  in  Carthage,  testified  that  he  saw  a  certain 
man  raise  a  large  knife  to  strike  off  the  head  of  Joseph, 
when,  all  at  once,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  clear  day,  ^vith 
no  cloud  in  sight,  "a  terrible  claj)  of  thunder  roUed  heav- 
ily, and  forked  lightnings  flashed  in  the  face  of  the  mur- 
derers, and  perfectly  paralyzed  a  number  of  them. 

"  The  ruffian,  who  had  raised  his  knife  and  had  sworn 
with  a  dreadfril  oath  to  take  the  head  off  Joseph,  stood 
perfectly  paralyzed,  his  arm  uplifted  with  the  knife  sus- 
pended in  air,  and  could  not  move  a  limb.  His  comrades 
carried  him  off,  and  all  fled  in  terror  from  the  scene." 

These  particulars,  and  many  others,  were  related  to  me 
by  brother  Beckwith  previous  to  his  death,  and  afterwards 
by  his  widow  and  father-in-law,  and  others  who  were 
conversant  with    them,   and    are    believed    to  be  correct. 

At  a  General  Conference,  held  June  16 — ^being  the  eve 
of  my  departure — it  was  the  unanimous  voice  of  the  meet- 
ing to  give  me  a  letter  of  commendation  and  feRowship 
from  the  Conference  to  the  Presidency  of  the  Church  in 
Utah.  Elder  J.  Crosby  was  set  apart  as  President  of  the 
San  Francisco  Conference,  under  my  hands  and  others. 

I  gave  them  a  few  words  of  farewell  and  blessing,  and 
returned  them  my  sincere  thanks  for  thefr  many  marks  of 
kindness  and  hospitaUty  to  me  and  my  wife  while  we  so- 
journed with  them  ;  and  I  shall  long  remember  the  many 
brethren  who  have  generously  assisted  me  with  means 
whereby  I  am  enabled  to  pursue  my  joiuney  home. 


478      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

While  on  this  mission  I  haA'e  been  diligent  in  preach- 
ing, teaching,  baptizing,  visiting  and  ministering  to  the 
sick,  and  writing  for  the  press.  I  feel  the  Saints  have 
rejoiced  under  my  teachings,  and  a  goodly  number  have 
been  added  to  the  Church. 

June  20th. — I  took  leave  of  the  Saints  and  friends  at  San 
Francisco  and  started  at  noon,  ^^ith  my  team,  for  my 
home  in  Utah  ;  crossed  the  ferry  at  Oakland  ten  miles  on 
a  steamer,  and  drove  twenty-live  miles  and  stopi^ed  after 
sundown  at  brother  Naile's,  near  San  Jose.  After  resting 
a  fcAV  days,  and  all  being  ready,  we  started  from  Dr. 
Mclntjre's  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  with  a  comi)auy  composed  of 
seven  men,  two  women  and  one  child,  five  wagons  and 
sixteen  animals.  I  thanked  God  that,  after  thirteen  months 
and  a  few  days'  absence,  I  was  now  ready  to  return  to  my 
home  in  the  i)eaceful  vaUey  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake. 

August  ISth. — ^After  a  long  and  wearisome  journey  of 
some  eight  hundred  miles  we  arrived  safely  home,  and  re- 
joiced to  find  all  well. 

Sunday,  Idth. — I  met  the  great  congTegation  twice  in  the 
Tabernacle  and  bowery  ;  heard  Orson  Pratt  and  President 
B.  Young  preach,  and  spoke  a  few  words  -myself.  In  the 
evening  met  with  the  Quoriun  of  the  Twelve  for  prayer, 
as  usual. 

On  Monday  I  A'isited  my  wife  Sarah  and  her  two  child- 
ren, Julia  and  Teancum,  who  resided  on  my  farm ;  and, 
from  this  date  until  the  Conference  of  October  6th,  my 
time  was  engaged  in  the  care  and  labors  of  my  family, 
and  other  duties,  although  I  attended  Sabbath  meetings, 
and  sometimes  i)reached. 

The  Conference  appointed  my  brother  Orson,  and  brother 
Woodmif,  and  myself,  with  uj^wards  of  twenty  others,  to 
a  home  mission  in  Utah  Territory. 

After  Conference  I  spent  my  time  mostly  in  the  House 
of  the  Lord,  in  administering  in  the  endowments,  until  the 
20th   of  October. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.       479 

October  loth,  Motiday. — ^^.greeable  to  instructions  from 
President  Youiig  I  called  a  meeting  of  a  few  of  the 
Twelve,  and  others  concerned  in  the  mission,  and  divided 
the  territory  into  missionary  districts,  and  assigned  to  each 
his  labor,  aiipointing  Conferences,  or  general  meetings  in 
each  district. 

Saturday,  20th. — Commenced  my  home  mission  by  riding 
seventeen  miles  to  attend  a  general  meeting  in  company 
with  O.  Pratt,  W.  Woodruff  and  others,  at  Farmiugton, 
Davies  County.  Good  attendance  and  spirited  preaching 
on  this   day  three   times.      Tarried   at  sister  Haight's. 

Sunday,  21sf. — At  half  past  eight  o'clock,  A.  ]M.,  held  a 
council  of  the  missionaries  of  the  district,  and  appointed 
the  next  quarterly  meeting  for  the  districts,  to  be  held  in 
Bishop  Stoker's  ward  on  the  18th  of  Xovember  next,  and 
the  second  to  be  held  December  15th,  at  ten  o'clock,  in 
Bishop   Kay's   ward. 

This  day  we  held  three  meetings,  which  were  well 
attended,  and  greatly  blessed  with  the  spirit  and  power 
of  God. 

Monday,   22d. — Eeturned  home   and  found  all  well. 

I^ovemher  Isf. — Started  with  my  carriage,  accompanied  by 
my  wife  Belinda  and  child,  my  brother  Orson  Pratt  and 
W.  Woodruff,  and  arrived  at  Ogden  on  the  following  day 
at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  jmt  up  at  President  Farr's. 
Preached  in  the  meeting  house  three  times.  The  night 
following  a  dreadful  wind  arose,  which  did  some  damage. 
^Vfter  travelhng  and  preaching  through  the  northern  set- 
tlements nearly  two  weeks  to  large  assemblies,  who  listened 
with  good  attention,  we  returned  home  and  found  all 
well. 

Saturday,  11  th. — Eode  ten  miles  in  my  carriage  with  my 
wife  Mary,  and  brethren  O.  Pratt  and  W.  W.  Wood- 
ruff, to  P.  Sessions',  and  met  with  tlie  Saints  in  a 
Quarterly   Conference. 

Sunday,  18th. — Met   a   crowd    out  of  doors,   on  the    south 


480      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

skfe  of  the  scliool-liouse,  at  Bishop  Stokers.     I  preached  in 
the    forenoon,   and    brothers    Joseph    Young    and    Erastus 
Snow    in    the    afternoon.      Many    were    out    and    the    good 
spirit  i^revailed. 
Next  morning  returned  liome   and  found  all  well. 

December  3d. — Bid  farewell  to  my  family  and  started  in 
my  carriage  with  Agatha,  my  wife,  and  O.  Pratt  and  W. 
"W.  Phelps  as  passengers,  for  the  city  of  Fillmore,  to  at- 
tend the  Legislative  Assembly. 

Friday,  7th. — Arrived  at  Fillmore  at  1  P.  M.  in  a  heavy 
snow  storm.      Put  ui)   with  brother  Bridges. 

Su)iday,  9th. — Attended  meeting  twice.  Preached  in  the 
moiTiing   and  listened  to   O.   Pratt  in  the  afternoon. 

Monday,  10th. — Attended  the  council  of  the  Legislature 
and  witnessed  the  organization,  and  was  unanimously 
elected  chaplain  of  the  council.  Accepted  and  was  sworn, 
and  entered  upon  my  duties,  being  charged  by  the 
President,  Hon.  H.  C.  Kjimball,  to  instruct  and  exhort  the 
members  and  others  in  their  duties.  I  prepared  an  ad- 
dress on  the  laws  of  marriage  and  morals,  which  was  de- 
livered to  the  council  on  the  twenty-first.  This  was  so 
favorably  received  that  the  Governor  and  President  called 
for  the  reading  of  it  before  the  joint  session.  It  was  ac- 
cordingly read  by  the  clerk  on  the  thirty-first  of  Decem- 
ber. On  motion,  it  was  unanimously  voted  to  have  it 
printed  in  the  Deseret  News ;  and,  on  motion,  a  vote  of 
thanks  was   carried  unanimously. 

January  Isf,   1856. 

Wrote  a  letter  to  the  N^ew  York  Herald,  and,  in  the 
evening,  attended  a  dance  in  the  Legislative  Hall.  It  was 
a  fine  party,  where  old  and  young  engaged  in  the  dance 
till  near  midnight. 

From  this  time  till  the  adjournment  of  the  Legislative 
Assembly  nothing  worthy  of  record  transi>ired. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY   OF   PARLEY  P.   PRATT.  481 

THE     STANDARD     OP     ZION. 

0,   Saints,   have   you   seen,   o'er  yon  mountain's  proud   height,    (\^ 

The  day  star  of  promise  so  brilliantly  beaming  ?  Li 
Its  rays  shall  illumine  the  world  with  its  light, 

And  the  ensign  of  Zion,   exultingly  streaming,     i 
All  nations   invite   to  walk   in   its  light,  c. 
And  join   to   maintain   the   proud   standard   of  right — •  C\ 
The   Standard   of  Zion,  0  long  may   it  wave      /■ 
O'er  the  land   of  the  free  and   the   home   of  the   bravo  I    (_ 

Our  motto  is  peace,    and  the   triumph   of  right ; 

And  we  joyfully  hail   the   Millennial   dawning,  \ 

"When  man  can   emerge  from   a  long  dreary  night  ■ 

And  bask   in  the   sunbeams   of  Zion's  bright  morning. 
The  white  flag  so   rare,    still   floating  in  air. 
Proclaims   'mid   the  mountains   that  peace  is   still   there. 
Let  the   Standard   of  Zion   eternally   wave 
O'er   the  land   of  the   free   and   the   home   of   the  brave. 

Though   earth   and  its   treasures  should  melt  iu   the   fire — 
The   planets   be  riv^n  with   the   trumpets'   loud  thimder, 
The  sunlight  of  Heaven   wax   dim   and   expire. 

And  the   veil   of  eternity   parted  asunder, 
Tet  firm  and  unshaken   the   truth   shall  remain. 

And  the   heirs   of  the   priesthood   forever  shall  reign. 
And  fhe   Standard   of  Zion   eternally  wave 
O'er  the  land   of  the   free   and  the   home   of   the   brave. 

Fillmore   Couxcil  Chamber,  January  S,    1856. 

Tuesdny,  15th. — I  attended  a  festival  of  the  Legislature 
ill  the  State  House,  where  all  were  treated  to  abundance 
of  oysters,  fruits,  wines,  etc.,  by  the  Hon.  Secretary 
Babbitt. 

Friday,  ISth. — The  Legislatui'e  adjourned  and  all  started 
ft)r  home.  We  travelled  about  forty-five  miles — some  of 
the  distance  in  about  eight  inches  of  snow — and  camped 
at  night  in  a  point  of  cedars.  The  cold  was  extreme, 
but  we  emptied  our  carriage  and  kept  a  constant  fire  in 
the  stove.  Sat  ui>  through  the  night,  as  there  was  not 
room  for  all  to  lie  down,   and  thus  we    passed  the  night. 

31 


482      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PAULEY  P.  PRATT. 

19th. — Eode  twenty  miles  to  breakfast ;  arrived  in  Ke- 
plii  about  ten  o'clock,  nearly  frozen ;  but  a  good  break- 
fast and  three  hours'  rest  revived  us,  and  we  started 
again  at  1  P.  M.  and  rode  to  Payson,  a  distance  of 
twenty -five  miles,  and  were  kindly  received  by  brother 
Donich. 

20tJi. — Started  at  ten  A.  M.  Eode  to  Provo  and  dined 
at  brother  Stewart's.  Eode  ten  miles  more,  and  were 
entertained  by  Bishop  Walker,   of  Pleasant  Grove. 

21st — Eode  thirty-five  miles  and  dined  at  the  Bishop's, 
Unionville,  and  arrived  home  at  sundown  ;  found  all  my 
familj'  ill  tolerable  health  except  my  little  daughter 
Isabel,  who  had  been  sick  with  a  fever  and  cold  on  the 
lungs.      I  ministered  to  her  and  she   speedily  recovered. 

Friday,  loth. — Spent  the  day  Avith  my  famUy,  and  in  a 
meeting  with  a  chartered  comi^any,  called  the  Deseret 
Eoad  and    Express    Company,   of   which  I  was  a  member. 

Saturday,  2Qth,  and  from  thence  to  February  lith  was 
spent  with  my  family,  and  in  preaching  occasionally  iu 
the  Tabernacle  and  iu  the  different  wards  in  the  city. 
Also  in  the  office  of  juryman  on  the  Grand  Jury  of  the 
United  States  Court. 

Tuesday,  March  Uh. — Attended  at  the  President's  office 
iu  the  dutj'  as  a  Eegent  of  the  University. 

]^ext  day  attended  at  the  President's  office  as  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Eegency  in  raising  school  books. 

Thursday,  Gth. — Myself  and  famUy  fasted  and  attended 
meeting  in  the  fourteenth  -^^-ard  school-house,  and  at  even- 
ing visited  at  brother  Southworth's,  and  attended  another 
meeting  in  tiie  ward. 

Having  been  elected  a  delegate  of  Salt  Lake  County  to 
a  Convention  caUed  by  the  people  of  the  Territory  of  Utah, 
to  form  a  Constitution  for  the  State  of  Deseret,  I  at- 
tended the  daily  sessions  of  the  Convention  for  ten  days, 
ending  March  27,  1856.  My  time,  after  the  adjournment 
of  said   Convention,  was   devoted  to  laboring  on  the  farm, 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 


483 


garden,  and  administeriii.;  in  the  various  duties  of  my 
calliug,  writing  history,  etc.,  until  the  Semi-annual  Confer- 
ence, which  (jonvened  Ai)ril  6  th  and  closed  on  the  8th, 
This  Conference  was  held  imder  a  bowery  adjoining  the 
Tabernacle,  and  was  attended  by  six  or  eight  thousand 
people.  At  this  Conference  several  hundred  persons  were 
called  to  go  on  missions  to  the  United  States,  England, 
Australia,  the  Sandwich  Islands  and  other  i)arts  of  the 
earth.  The  Presidency  enjoined  upon  me  the  duty  of 
setting  apart  and  ordaining  those  who  were  called  for 
their  several  missions,  in  which  I  was  assisted  by  the  rest 
of  the  Twelve   and   some   of  the  Presidents  of  Seventies. 

About  this  period,  or  immediately  after  Conference,  I 
was  taken  sick  with  a  fever  and  came  nigh  unto  death, 
which  sickness  continued  about  two  weeks. 

3fai/  26th. — Accompanied  by  Elder  Gates  I  started  on  a 
mission  of  preaching,  visiting  and  instructing  the  Saints 
in  the  southern  j^art  of  the  Territory ;  during  which  tour 
we  held  meetings  at  Union  Fort,  American  Fork,  Pleasant 
Grove,  Provo,  Payson,  Summit,  iSTephi,  Fillmore.  Beaver, 
Paragona,   Parawan,    Cedar   City  and  Harmony. 

On  my  return  to  Salt  Lake  City  called  and  preached 
at  the  different  to^\^lS  and  settlements  on  the  route,  arriv- 
ing home  June  27,  1856. 

While  at  home  mj-  time  was  occupied  in  attending  meet- 
ings, instructing  and  speaking  words  of  comfort  and  en- 
couragement to  the  Saints,  and  ^sTiting  my  history,  assisted 
by  my  "snfe  Kezia,  as  copyist. 


CHAPTER     L  I  I  I . 

JOURNAL   OF   EASTERN   JIISSIOX. 

DURING  the  summer,  after  my  return  from  the  South, 
I  i^erformed  several  home  missions  or  preaching  tours 
through  Davis,  Weber  and  Box  Ekler  Counties,  and  in  Sep- 
tember received  an  ai)pointment  to  take  a  mission  to  the 
States,  for  Tvhich  I  received  the  following  letter  of  appoint- 
ment : 

Utah  Territory,  President's  Office,  > 

Great  Salt  Lake  City,  Sept.  10,  185G.  > 

Elder  Parley  P.  Pratt. 

Dear  Brother — ^^s  you  are  about  to  leave  on  your 
mission  to  the  States,  we  feel  to  give  you  a  word  of 
counsel  for  your  guidance. 

We  expect  that  your  principal  occupation  will  be  to 
travel  and  preach  the  gospel  in  different  places,  as  you 
shall  be  led  liy  the   spirit  of  the  Lord. 

We  are  informed  that  there  is  quite  a  large  number  of 
Saints  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Virginia,  which  it  is 
our  wish  you  shall  visit  and  instruct  in  the  principles  of 
the  gospel. 

Owing  to  the  extra  duties  of  delegate  being  placed  upon 
brother  John  Taylor,  it  is  suggested  that  you  also  aid  him 
in  writing  for  The  Mormon^  and  such  other  duties  as 
may  devolve  upon  you  by  the  united  counsel  of  brethren 
now  in  charge  on  that  mission. 

As  you  are  expected  to  return  the  ensuing  season,  we 
do  not  consider  that  it  would  be  wisdom  for  you  to  have 


AUTOBIOaRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      485 

the  burden  of  the  mission  to  rest  upon  you,  but  rather 
that  3'ou  shoukl  aid  the  brethren  for  the  brief  period 
which  you  will  remain  with  them. 

If  brother  Snow  should  be  able  to  resume  The  Lumi- 
nary, we  shoidd  bo  pleased  to  have  you  assist  him  also  iu 
writing  for  that  publication. 

Wo  believe  that,  by  thus  devoting  your  time  during  the 
ensuing  winter,  you  will  render  the  brethren  now  upon 
that  mission  effective  aid,  and  be  a  comfort  and  consola- 
tion to  the  brethren  and  Saints  who  shall  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  your  ministerial  administrations,  and  be  blest  with 
your  society  in  this  your  short  visit  to  the  Saints  in  the 
States ;  and  that  the  Lord  v.ill  bless  you  abundantly  with 
His  spirit,  and  enable  you  to  perform  your  mission  vnth 
honor  and  satisfaction  to  yourself,  and  His  divine  accep- 
tance,  is  the  prayer  of 

Your  brethren   in   the   Gospel   of  Christ, 

Brigham  Young, 
Heber  C.  Keviball, 
J.  M.  Grant, 
First  Presidency  of  the   Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-Day  Saints. 

After  receiving  the  foregoing  appointment  my  time  was 
employed  chiefly  in  settling  up  my  business  and  preparing 
for  the  journey  eastward. 

September  7,  1856. — I  preached  my  farewell  discourse  in 
the  Tabernacle,  in  which  I  bore  testimony  to  the  Book  of 
Mormon  and  of  the  calUng  of  Joseph  Smith,  and  of  his 
Presidency  and  Apostleship.  At  noon,  the  same  day,  gave 
instructions  and  strict  charge  to  my  son.  Parley  P.,  con- 
cerning my  business,  and  the  duties  that  would  devolve 
upon  him   in  my   absence. 

At  5  P.  M.  met  vvith  my  quorum  in  prayer,  in  which 
President  Y'oung  and  others  laid  their  hands  upon  my 
head  and   set    me    apart  for   my  mission    to  the    States — 


480      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

confirming  and  sealing  upon  my  head  all  the  keys  and 
powers  of  the  eternal  priesthood,  so  far  as  they  were  held 
upon  the  earth — "  and  that  I  should  always  ho  numbered 
among  those  that  were  faithful  to  the  jiriesthood,  both  in 
this  life,   in  the  world  of  spirits   and    in  the  resurrection." 

S^tember  11. — Bid  farewell  to  ray  family  and  friends 
and  started  on  my  eastern  mission  in  company  with  several 
Elders  and  friends,  who  were  going  to  the  States.  We 
met,  on  the  journey  across  the  plains,  several  companies, 
chiefly  from  Europe.  Some  of  them  were  comi)anies  travel- 
ing with  ox  teams,  and  several  hand  cart  companies.  The 
first  hand  cart  comijany  we  met  was  near  Green  Eiver, 
which  consisted  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  men,  women 
and  children.  These  had  crossed  the  plains  from  Iowa 
City — some  1,200  miles — the  women  as  well  as  men  draw- 
ing hand  carts  and  the  children  walking.  They  had  trav- 
elled twenty  miles  a  day  and  sometimes  more.  Their 
faces  were  much  sunburnt  and  their  lijis  parched ;  but 
cheerfulness  reigned  in  every  heart,  and  joy  seemed  to 
beam  on  every  countenance.  The  comj^any  gathered  around 
us  and  I  tried  to  address  them,  observing  that  this  Avas 
a  new  era  in  American  as  well  as  Church  history ;  but 
my  utterance  was  choked,  and  I  had  to  make  the  third 
trial  before  I  could  overcome  my  emotions.  We  passed  on, 
nothing  worthy  of  note  occurring  until  we  arrived  at  Fort 
Kearney. 

October  17. — We  arrived  at  Fort  Kearney;  here  the 
death  of  A.  W.  Babbitt,  and  others  with  him,  was  con- 
firmed. The  commanding  oflicer  of  the  fort  came  to  me 
and  said  that  he  had  an  account  of  Babbitt's  death  from  the 
Indians  themselves ;  and  that  he  had  obtained  his  j^apers 
and  accounts,  which  he  would  deliver  to  Babbitt's  wife,  if 
she  would  come.  We  pursued  our  long  and  wearisome 
journey  through  Iowa  and  Illinois.  On  the  way  we  saw 
Xauvoo  and  the  ruins  of  the  Temple  in  the  distance. 
This  called  up  reflections  which  I  will  not  attempt  to   de- 


AUTOBIOtrKAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  487 

scribe.  I  thought  of  the  Temple  and  city  m  their  glory; 
of  the  twenty  thousand  Saints  once  busy  there ;  of  the 
vast  congregations  once  assembled  there  hi  prajer  and 
praise;  of  the  martyred  Prophets  and  Saints;  of  the 
wholesale  murder  and  plunder  perpetrated  by  ruthless 
mobs.  I  thought  of  my  once  hai)py  but  now  fallen  coun- 
try. I  greatly  desired  relief  by  tears,  but  tears  would  not 
come  to  my  reUef  I  felt  too  deeply ;  but  I  felt  some  re- 
lief in  assuring  myself  that  at  last  justice  would  triumph 
and  righteousness  reign. 

November  18. — We  landed  in  St.  Louis  after  a  long  and 
toilsome  journey  of  over  two  months.  Here  I  remained, 
attending  public  meetings  with  the  Saints ;  visiting,  in- 
structing, writing  history,  and  writing  for  The  Mannoiij 
then  published  by  Elder  John  Taylor  in  Xew  York ;  visit- 
ing and  preaching  at  several  jjlaces  in  Missouri  and  Illi- 
nois, until  the  16th  of  December,  when  I  left  St.  Louis  for 
!N"ew  York — travelling  by  railroad.  I  stopped  at  Cincinnati, 
where  I  arrived  at  4  A.  M.  on  the  17th.  Here  I  found 
some  Saints,  who  took  me  and  my  baggage,  and  extended 
to  me  the  hospitality  of  their  homes.  I  remained  in  Cincin- 
nati, preaching,  conversing  with  the  Saints  and  others, 
writing  correspondence  for  The  Mormon^  history,  etc., 
antd  the  22d,  when  I  took  leave  of  the  Saints  and 
started  by  railway  for  Philadelphia,  where  I  arrived 
on  the  24th — meeting  there  President  John  Taylor  and 
other  brethren,  who  kindly  greeted  me.  Here  I  re- 
mained preaching,  A'isiting,  conversing,  writing  history,  cor- 
responding with  The  Mormon,  etc.,  until  the  31st,  when  I 
took  the  10  A.  M.  train  for  Xew  York,  where  I  safely 
landed  the  same  day — thus  closing  another  year  of  my 
changeful,  varied  and  eventful  hfe.  It  leaves  me  among 
strangers,  and  yet  in  my  own  native  State — a  pilgrim  and 
almost  a  stranger  in  the  very  city  Avhere,  twenty  years 
ago,  I  labored,  toUed,  prayed,  preached,  wrote  and  jmb- 
lished  the  messajje  of  eternal  truth. 


488      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

Oh,  how  darkness  prevails !  How  ignorant,  blind  and  im- 
penetrable are  the  minds  of  men !  My  Father  in  Heaven, 
Thy  will  be  done.  As  a  blank  of  another  year  of  my  life 
is  about  to  commence  to  be  filled  uj),  I  wiU  close  the  vol- 
ume of  the  book  I  have  been  MTiting,  commending  myself 
to  Grod  and  the  guardianship  of  his  angels ;  asking,  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  my  sins  and  follies,  up  to  this 
date,  may  be  blotted  out,  and  that  my  labors  and  records 
may  be  accepted;  then  I  will  retire  to  rest  with  a  con- 
science void  of  offence,  and  with  a  calm  and  resigned  con- 
fidence in  my  Heavenly  Father.  If  I  am  privileged  to 
awake  in  the  morning  of  a  new  year,  I  will  commence  a 
new  book  or  volume  of  my  life. 

January  Ist,  1857. — Thank  God  for  a  new  year  and  for 
the  preservation  of  my  life  and  health.  Spent  the  day  in 
visiting  with  President  Taylor  and  others,  and  at  5  P.  M. 
repaired  to  the  Latter-Day  Saints'  Hall,  where  I  met  with 
some  four  hundred  persons,  mostly  members  of  the  Church, 
in  a  public  party. 

Judge  Appleby  called  .the  meeting  to  order  ;  I  opened 
by  prayer.  President  Taylor  made  a  few  remarks,  after 
which  there  were  songs,  recitations,  speeches,  and  amuse- 
ments of  A'arious  kinds,  refreshments,  etc.,  which  lasted  till 
eleven  o'clock,  after  which  I  addressed  them,  bearing  tes- 
timony of  the  restoration  of  the  priesthood  and  gospel  by 
Joseph  Smith  ;  was  followed  hj  President  Smith  and  Tay- 
lor. While  in  this  party  we  received  news  of  the  safe 
landing  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  Saints  from  Europe  on 
the  "  Columbia."  Mj-  time  was  occupied  in  visiting  the 
Saints,  meeting  in  Council  with  the  brethren,  writing,  etc., 
until  the  5th,  when  I  met  in  the  evening  with  brothers 
Taylor,  Smith,  Snow  and  Appleby  in  Council  at  brother 
Taylor's  residence.  After  opening  by  prayer  I  was  chosen 
to  preside,  and  brother  Appleby  acted  as  clerk.  Brother 
Snow  made  a  statement  in  relation  to  the  financial  condi- 
tion of  the  emigration  under   his    agency.      We    agreed  to 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      489 

make  this  a  matter  of  prayer,  and  to  solicit  and  influence 
means  into  that  channel  as  far  as  possible.  At  7  P.  M. 
brother  Taylor  having-  furnished  an  upper  room  in  liis 
residence,  the  before-named  persons,  five  in  number,  met 
in  a  room  for  prayer,  in  Avhich  we  humbled  ourselves  and 
called  on  the  Lord  for  remission  of  our  sins  and  the  light 
of  the  Spirit  of  Grod  to  guide  us  in  our  several  duties. 
We  also  asked  for  means,  and  for  our  way  to  be  opened 
up  to  enable  us  in  all  things  to  magnify  our  callings  ; 
dedicating  ourselves  renewedly  to  the  service  of  God,  After 
this  we  continued  in  Council  until  a  late  hour. 

January  6th. — I  Aisited  Mr.  George  W.  Pratt,  No.  89  Gold 
street,  on  the  subject  of  genealogy — he  being  the  son  of 
Zadoc  Pratt,  ex-Member  of  Congress,  and  descended  from 
the  same  parentage  as  myself,  our  progenitors  being  among 
the  early  settlers  of  the  New  England  Colonies.  I  con- 
versed with  him  very  agreeably  for  half  an  hour,  and 
learned  that  he  was  in  coiTCspondence  with  brother  Orson, 
in  Liverpool,   on  the  subject  of  our  ancestry  in  England. 

January  1th. — I  was  in  council  all  day  at  brother  Tay- 
lor's residence  with  the  brethren  of  the  Twelve.  We  re- 
solved to  concentrate  our  energies  this  year  in  forming  set- 
tlements on  or  near  the  Platte  Kiver,  on  the  route  of  our 
emigration,  according  to  the  instructions  of  President  Young. 
We  voted  that  the  Mormon  be  continued,  and  that  it  is 
not  expedient  for  brother  Snow  to  resuscitate  the  Lumi- 
nary at  present.  Next  day  bid  farewell  to  the  brethren, 
and  took  the  train  for  Trenton,  N.  J.  Here  I  was  kindly 
received  by  brother  Hurdlej'  and  family,  where  I  remained 
for  two  days,  the  weather  being  very  cold. 

Saturday,  10th. — Joseph  A  say  came  with  a  carriage  and 
conveyed  me  about  four  miles  into  the  country  to  his  house. 
This  day  I  completed  a  communication  for  the  Mormon  on 
spiritual  communication  in  modern  times. 

Sunday,  11th. — Preached  to  a  small  congregation  in  a 
school  house,    and    returned  with  brother  Asa^'  and  spent 


■490  AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT. 

the  evening  in  instruction — several  of  the  Saints  from  Tren- 
ton being  there.  Spent  the  time  writing,  visiting  and  con- 
versation with  the  friends  here  until  the  14th,  when  I  took 
lea\  e  of  my  kind  friends  in  Trenton  ;  taking  tlie  cars  for 
Tacony,  where  I  arrived  at  noon,  went  to  sister  Conrad's, 
where  I  was  received  with  every  conceivable  kiu'dness. 
After  dinner  preached  to  them  and  read  the  revelation  on 
marriage.  God  blessed  me  to  open  their  understandings, 
teaching  things  of  the  kingdom.  Here  I  wrote  a  commu- 
nication for  the  Mormon  called  the  "  Looking-glass  ;"  con- 
versed with  and  instnicted   the  family  on  many  things. 

Saturday,  17th. — Returned  to  Philadelphia  and  stayed  at 
brother  Harmer's  ;  received  this  evening  letters  from  home, 
dated  November  4th,  at  which  time  several  of  my  family 
were  sick.  I  invoked  the  blessing  of  God  upon  them  that 
they  might  be  healed  aud  comforted. 

Sunday,  18th. — Though  the  wind  was  very  high  and  ex- 
tremely cold,  attended  with  a  severe  snow  storm,  I  repaired 
to  meeting  and  preached  to  a  few  in  the  morning,  and  at 
night  attended  meeting  again  in  our  own  haU,  the  Spirit 
of  God  being  among  the   Saints  in  the  meeting. 

Monday,  19th. — Still  being  very  snowy,  cold  and  windy, 
remained  at  the  house  of  brother  Harmer  and  wrote  to  my 
family. 

Sunday,  20th. — Railroad  travel  being  obstructed  by  drifts 
of  snow,  I  visited  at  Peter  Reiisimer's ;  stayed  all  night 
and  talked  to  him,   his  wife  and  others,  tiU  a  late  hour. 

On  the  next  day  wrote  a  poem  on  "  My  Fiftieth  Year," 
which  was  responded  to  by  John  Taylor,  both  of  which 
were  published  in  the  Mormon  at  New  York.*  Returned 
to  Tacony  in  the  evening  and  reijaired  to  the  house  of 
sister  Conrad  ;  the  family  came  together  and  I  taught  them 
the  gospel.  Next  day  visited  with  the  family,  taught  them 
and  some  of  their  Mends  who  came  in,  the  principles  of 
the  gospel. 

*  These  poeme  will  be  found  in  the  latter  part  of  tliie  work. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      491 

Thursday,  24t7i. — Bade  farewell  to  my  kind  friends  in 
Tacony,  took  the  train  for  Philadelphia,  where  I  arrived 
at  half  past  nine.  Attended  the  Saints'  meetings  at  Wash- 
ington Hall  three  times  this  day ;  addressed  the  people 
morning  and  evening  ;  communed  with  them  ;  heard  their 
testimony  in  the  afternoon.  ^Ve  were  blessed  throngh  the 
day  with  the   Spirit  of  God   and  had  much  joy. 

February  1st. — Attended  meetings  three  times  in  Y^ash- 
ington  Hall,  Philadelphia.  Preached  in  the  morning  reijent- 
ance  to  the  Saints  and  preparation  for  the  great  restora- 
tion. In  the  evening  preached  on  the  Kesun-ection  to  a 
crowded  house,   and  bid  the  Saints  farewell. 

Tuesday,  od. — Wrote,  visited  sister  Fenton,  and  there  spent 
the  evening  in  an  agreeable  company  of  some  fifteen  of  the 
Saints.  We  sang  and  prayed,  feasted  and  rejoiced,  and 
taught  them  as  we  were  led  by  the  Siiirit.  Elder  Angus 
M.  Cannon  being  with  me  in  this  and  nearly  all  my  visit- 
ings  and  meetings  in  this  city.  A  happier  companion  is 
seldom  found. 

Wednesday,  Ath. — Spent  the  evening  at  a  tea  party  ;  at 
ten  o'clock  we  sang,  "  When  shall  we  all  meet  again  f  etc. 
Knelt  down  and  prayed.  This  was  my  farewell  of  Phil- 
adelphia and  the  Eastern  States.  I  then  took  a  final 
leave  of  the  Saints,  and,  accompanied  by  Elder  Camion, 
started  for  the  railway.  Here  I  met  with  brother  and 
sister  Beers,  and  some  others  who  had  come  to  see  me 
off.  I  took  the  train  for  Pittsburg,  where  I  safely  arrived 
February  5,  at  2:30  P.  M.  Took  the  train  at  three  for 
Mansfield,  Ohio,  where  I  landed  safely  at  1:30  next  morn- 
ing. Stayed  at  a  hotel,  and  on  the  Gth  took  tram  at 
12  M.  and  arrived  at  Hanover,  Huron  County,  Ohio, 
at  4  P.  M.  Here  a  neighbor  volunteered  to  carry  me 
half  a  mile  to  my  brother,  Xelson  Piatt's.  We  were  over- 
joyed to  see  each  other  after  twenty-one  years'  absence. 
He  had  a  wife  and  three  children  living,  viz.  :  a  son, 
Edwin  Delano  Pratt,  aged  twenty  years  ;   and  two  daugh- 


492      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OP  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

ters,  Helen  Orisa,  aged  fourteen,  and  Amelia  Fenetto,  aged 
twelve  years.  Remained  and  visited  with  my  brother  and 
family ;  talked,  read,  reasoned,  etc.,  until  the  11th,  when 
I  had  a  call  from  a  young  school  teacher  named  Pratt, 
perhaps  a  distant  relative,  who  had  a  spirit  of  inquiry 
and  was  teachable.  We  conversed  much,  and  I  lent  him 
some  books.  As  he  and  others  were  soliciting  a  meeting, 
I  finally  consented  to  appoint  one  for  Thursday  evening 
at  the  school  house  near  my  brother's.  In  fulfilment  of 
this  appointment  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation  in  a 
cajjacious   school  house. 

Friday,  loth. — At  noon  took  leaA^e  of  my  brother  Nelson 
and  his  famdy,  who  accompanied  me  to  the  raikoad  sta- 
tion, and  bid  me  an  affectionate  farewell.  This  night, 
about  eight  o'clock,  the  locomotive  ran  over  and  kiUed  a 
horse,  and  was  thrown  off  the  track  with  a  number  of 
cars,  some  of  which  were  broken.  By  this  accident  we 
were  hindered  some  six  hours,  during  which  time  we  sat 
in  the  cars  and  slept  as  best  we  coidd.  Arrived  in  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  at  4  A.  M.  Here  we  stopped  and  slept  at 
a  hotel  until  9  A.  M.  At  1  P.  M.  started  for  Cin- 
cinnati, where  I  arrived  at  dark,  and  was  kindly  received 
by  brother  Meriweather  and  family. 

Sunday,  15th. — Met  with  the  Saints  three  times  ;  taught 
them  repentance  and  reformation  of  life  :  stayed  at  brother 
Walker's. 

Monday,  16th. — In  the  evening  Mr.  Alberger  and  Dr.  Dar- 
ling called  to  see  me,  and  spent  the  evening  in  conversa- 
tion on  the  various  phenomena  of  Spiritualism.  Mr.  Alber- 
ger related  to  me  the  circumstances  of  the  introduction  of 
a  secret  order,  called  the  Patriarchal  Order,  which  order, 
he  said,  was  introduced  by  sjurits  in  Cincinnati  a  short 
time  previously  by  means  of  a  stone,  with  a  new  alphabet 
and  a  key  to  read  the  same.  He  also  made  me  a  present 
of  the  stone,  or  rather  a  pattern  of  the  same  in  plaster 
of  Paris,  with  the  alphabet  thereon  and   key  to  read  the 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      493 

same.  Also  a  printed  pamphlet  containing  the  ceremonies 
of  the  "  Patriarchal  Order,"  and  the  forms  of  initiation  of 
members  into  the  same,  with  a  request  that  I  would  take 
them  to  Salt  Lake  and  exhibit  them  to  the  Council  there. 

The  following  day,  wrote  an  article  for  the  Cincinnati 
Gazette,  in  defence  of  Utah.  In  the  evening  met  with  the 
the  Saints,  and  preached  at  Thos.  Shore's.  The  next  day 
was  very  rainy  ;  visited  at  brother  Meriweather's,  and 
found  brother  Geo.  A.  Smith  there,  just  arrived  from  Vir- 
ginia. He  had  spent  some  time  in  Washington  City,  in 
company  with  John  Taylor,  who  was  one  of  the  delega- 
tion, but  as  no  encouragement  was  given  for  the  admis- 
sion of  Utah  at  the  present  session,  the  petition  was  with- 
drawn. 

Friday,  20th. — Wrote  for  The  Mormon,  visited  with  brother 
Smith,  etc.  My  communication  to  the  Cincinnati  Gazette 
m.  defence  of  Utah,  appeared  in  this  day's  j)aper.  We 
mailed  several  copies  of  the  paper  to  the  members  of 
Congress,   and    to   The  Mormon. 

Sunday,  22d.— Attended  at  Melodian  Hall  at  10:30  A.  M., 
and  heard  an  excellent  discourse  from  Elder  G.  A.  Smith. 
At  2:30  P.  M.  I  preached  on  first  principles,  and  in  the 
evening  met  the  Saints  at  brother  Shore's,  and  reorganized 
the  Cincinnati  Branch.  Elder  Joseph  Bean  was  unani- 
mously chosen  to  preside,  and  was  ordained  a  High  Priest 
under  the  hands  of  G.  A.  Smith  and  myself.  Brother  Ben- 
jamin E.  Styles  was  reappointed  clerk.  At  ten  o'clock  we 
sung  "  AVhen  shall  we  all  meet  again." 

We  appointed  and  set  apart  brother  D.  O.  Eidout  to  a 
mission  in  south-western  Virginia  We  blessed  and  admin- 
istered to  several.  A  man  named  James  Ealiston  came 
to  us  and  expressed  his  faith  in  the  gospel  as  he  had 
heard  us  preach  it  the  day  before.  Many  of  the  Saints 
now  gathered  in  to  see  us,  and  contributed  means  to  help 
us,  and  manifested  their  love  in  every  way  that  was  in 
their  power.      We  bid  them  farewell    about   2   P.   M.,  and 


4:04:  AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

took  the  train  for  St.  Louis,   at    which    place    we    arrived 
safely  about  midnight. 

Tuesday,  24:th. — Called  and  stayed  at  brother  Boardman's. 
Here,  for  the  first  time,  heard  of  the  sudden  and  unexpected 
death  of  President  J.  M.  Grant,  who  died  in  Salt  Lake 
City,  in  November  last.  He  was  a  great  and  good  man, 
called  away  in  the  full  vigor  of  manhood.  He  has  gone  to 
his  rest,  but  we  are  left  to  mourn. 

Wednesday,  2oth. — On  repairing  to  the  office  found  letters 
from  home,  also  one  from  sister  Ruth  Sayers,  who  crossed 
the  plains  with  us  on  our  outward  trii)  from  Salt  Lake 
City.  I  also  read  in  the  Western  Standard,  a  paper  pub- 
lished by  George  Q.  Cannon  in  California,  a  confirmatory 
account  of  the  death  of  President  J.  M.  Grant.  We  found 
the  Saints  in  St.  Louis  well  and  prosperous.  After  spend- 
ing some  time  in  the  office  in  council  I  repaired  to  brother 
Restell's,  and  was  kindly  received  by  sister  Eestell  and  sister 
Pollard.     This  night  I  was  taken  very   sick. 

-March  Isf,  1867. — I  found  myself  quite  well  again,  and  being 
Sunday,  I  met  with  the  Saints  three  times  and  had  good 
attendance.  I  preached  in  the  forenoon,  and  Erastus  Snow 
and  others  in  the  afternoon.  We  had  Sacrament,  and  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  was  upon  us.  Brother  Snow  spake 
by  it  in  great  "svisdom. 

The  spirit  of  reformation  is  abroad  in  the  St.  Louis 
branch,  but  the  adversary  also  has  a  great  hold  there. 

Monday,  Id. — We  met  ^HEth  the  Saints  and  assisted  Presi- 
dent Snow  to  confirm  twenty-nine  souls,  who  were  baptized 
in  the  font  there.  At  7  P.  M.  the  same  evening  met 
with  the   brethren  in  council. 

Much  instruction  was  given  to  the  Elders  by  Presidents 
Snow,   Smith  and  myself. 

Tuesday,  3d. — Assisted  President  Snow  at  the  office,  on 
the  Deseret  alphabet,   etc. 

The  above  is  the  last  extract  from  the  journal  of  Presi- 
dent Parley  P.  Pratt. 


CHAPTER     LI  Y. 

.  Family   Letters  : — "  My   Fiftieth   Year  :" — Response  by  John   Taylor. 

New  York,  January  3d,   1857. 

MY  Deah  Son  Parley  :  I  am  well ;  how  are  you  ? 
Please  write  and  let  ine  know.  I  long  to  see  and 
hear  from  you. 

I  am  getting  along  very  comfortably.  You  will  see  by 
the  enclosed  how  "  Mormoriism  "  keeps  printers  and  editors 
busy.  Give  my  best  love  to  all  the  family,  and  especi- 
ally to  the  children.  Eemember  me  to  Olivia  and  Ma- 
roni.  Do  the  best  you  can  for  me  and  my  family,  and 
try  to  get  a  good  education ;  and  try  by  prayer  and 
doing  right  to  cultivate  an  acquaintance  with  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord. 

Read  the  enclosed  letter  to  the  family,  and  then  have 
it  carefully  laid   away   as   a  part  of   my  history. 

Now,   my   son,   farewell. 

God  bless  you.      Amen. 

Your  affectionate  father, 

P.  P.  Pratt. 

New  York,  January  3dy   1857. 
My  Dear  Family  : 

A  happy  New  Year  to  each  of  you.  I  am  well.  I 
spent  Christmas  in  Philadelphia  in  a  public  party  of  the 
Saints — say  300  persons — assembled  in  a  large  hall  neatly 
furnished  and  lighted.  There  were  prayers,  hymns,  songs, 
recitations,    comic,    tragic,    sublime    and    ridiculous.      There 


496      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

was  some  music  and  dancing,  merry  making,  eating  and 
drinking  till  midnight.  I  did  not  dance,  but  I  preached 
and  bore  testimony. 

On  the  follo\dng  Sunday  I  preached  twice  in  the  same 
hall,   some  500  persons  being  present. 

On  Wednesday,  December  31st,  I  arrived  in  this  city 
and  put  up  with  President  John  Taylor.  This  closed  the 
year  1856. 

January  1st,  1857. — I  attended  a  public  party  of  the 
Saints  here  from  5  P.  M.  till  midnight.  It  was  like 
the  one  in  Philadelphia — only  there  was  no  dancing. 
About  400  persons  were  present.  During  this  party  the 
news  arrived  of  the  landing  of  220  Saints  at  Castle 
Garden  direct  from  Europe,  all  in  good  health  and 
spirits.  These  we  visited  next  day  in  company  with 
Presidents  Taylor,  G.  A.  Smith,  and  E.  Snow,  who  are 
here  now,  and  we  shall  hold  a  council.  The  Saints  here 
are  mostly  emigrants  from  Europe  and  very  poor.  I  am 
now  well  clothed,  and  God  has  opened  my  way  to  ob- 
tain sufficient  funds  for  travelling  expenses. 

A  letter  from  my  brother  kelson  announces  that  all  is 
well  there,  and  they  are  overjoyed  to  hear  that  I  am  to 
visit  them.      He  is  trying  to  sell  and  go  to  the  valley. 

Brother    Orson  writes  to  me    that   all  is  well   Avith  him. 

I  have  gone  as  far  East  as  I  intend  to  go.  I  hope 
soon  to  commence  to  return  westward,  visiting  my  brother 
Nelson  as  I  go.  The  darkness  which  broods  over  this 
country  can  be  felt — it  is  no  place  for  me.  I  feel  like 
going  to  the  frontiers  and  fitting  out  as  soon  as  grass 
grows. 

The  whole  country  is  being  overwhelmed  with  the  most 
abominable  lying,  mockery,  and  hatred  of  the  Saints,  and 
with  all  manner  of  corruption.  The  legions  of  spirits 
are  let  loose  and  are  working  wonders.  All  things  are 
rii)ening  for  a  universal  overthrow  of  all  human  power  in 
this  land. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      497 

I  am  almost  an  intruder  wherever  I  go.  I  am  a 
mranger  and  the  world  knows  me  not.  There  are  a  few 
of  the  Saints  and  others  who  will  hear  us,  and  not  ex- 
actly demand  a  vote  of  thanks,  although  some  of  them 
would  think  it  a  great  condescension  for  which  we  ought 
to  thank   them. 

O,  God,  let  me  retire  from  such  a  generation  into  dens, 
caves,  deserts,  mountains — anyichere.  But  I  will  say  no 
more  about  them.  I  feel  for  my  family  and  pray  for 
them  continually.  I  hope  they  with  me  may  have  grace 
to  endure  to  the  end,  and  be  saved  in  the  kingdom  of 
God. 

My  history  is  mostly  completed.  It  will  probably  not 
be  published  in  my  day.  Should  anything  happen  to 
me,  and  the  record  be  preserved,  I  wish  it  carefully  com- 
piled,  copied,   and  taken  care  of. 

My  feelings,  and  the  affections  of  my  heart,  I  will  not 
attempt  to  describe,  but  will  express  them  in  person 
when  I  return.  Should  I  never  return,  be  assured  they 
are  as  warm  and  as  tender  as  ever,  and  I  think  a  little 
more  so. 

I  hope  you  will  not  be  cast  do\vTi  or  borrow  any 
trouble  about  me  because  I  admit  an  if,  as  to  my  safe 
return.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  I  shall  return  in 
safety  and  live  to  a  good  old  age.  But  still  I  must  ac- 
knowledge that  I  do  anticipate  with  a  great  deal  of 
pleasure  the  change  of  worlds.  And,  every  day  that  I 
work  on  ray  history,  I  naturally  think  that  the  word  Jinis 
-svill  soon  be  added  to  the  end.      *  *  ♦  * 

Write  when  you    can   via  California  and  Panama.      Xow 

God    bless    and    preserve    you    all,  even  to  little    Mathoni. 

Amen. 

Yours  ever, 

P.  P.  Pratt. 
To  my  ici/e  Hannahette  and  others. 

32 


498      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PKATT. 

MY  FIFTIETH  TEAR. 


I  AM  fifty  years  old!    I  have  lived  to  see 
Seven  times  seven  and  a  Jubilee. 
That  period  famed  in  the  days  of  yore 
As  a  grand  release  for  the  humble  poor; 
When  the  pledg'd  estate  was  again  restor'd, 
And  the  bondman  free'd  from  his  tyrant  lord. 
When  man  his  feUow  was  bound  to  forgive, 
And  begin  anew  to  think  and  to  live. 
The  nations  have  haU'd  the  year  of  my  birth 
As  a  Jubilee  to  the  groaning  earth.* 
The  triumphs  of  steam  over  land  and  sea 
Have  stamp'd  the  age  of  my  Jubilee. 
I  have  mark'd  its  progress  at  ev'ry   stride, 
From  the  day  it  was   iaunch'd  on  the    Hudson's  tide 
Till  it  conquer'd  the  ocean — grasp'd  the  land, 
And  join'd  the  world  in  a  common  band. 
I  have  liv'd  to  behold  the  lightnings  yield 
To  the  mandate  of  man,   and  take  the  field, 
As   a  servant-runner  to  bear  the  news 
In  an  instant,   where  its  lord  might  choose. 

And,   scarce  less  strange,  I  have  liv'd  to  behold 
A  Mormon  Sage,  with  his  wand  of  gold. 
Overturn  the  world,   and  toss  it  up 
As  a  teller  of  Fortunes  would  his  cup.  t 
AU  these  are  facts ;  but  of  little  worth. 
Compared  with  a  Prophet  restored  to  earth. 
I  have  seen  his  day  and  have  heard  his  voice, 
Which  enraged  a  world,  while  the  meek  rejoice. 
I  have  read  the  fate  of  all  earthly  things : 
The  end  of  thrones,  and  the  end  of  kings. 

*  The  first  steamboat  "was  launched  in  1807,  on  the  Hudson  River,  by  Robert  Fultcn. 
+  An  American  soldier,  of  the  Mormon  Battalionj   discovered  the  gold  mines  In  Call 
fomia  in  1847. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT.      499 

I  have  learned  that  truth  alone  shall  stand, 

And  the  Kingdom  of  God  fill  every  land. 

I  have  seen  that  Kingdom  rolling  along, 

And  taking  its  seat  'mid  the  mountains  strong; 

While  the  nations  wondered,  but  could  not  tell 

To  what  these  wondrous  things  would  swell. 

I  have  wandered  far,  over  land  and  sea, 

To  proclaim  to  the  world  its  destiny — 

To  cry  to  the  nations,  repent  and  live. 

And  be  ready  the  bridegroom  to  receive. 

I  have  wandered  far — I  have  wandered  .  wide, 
From  Maine  to  the  wild  Missouri's  tide  ; 
And  over  the  Atlantic's  sea-girt  isles 
Full  many  a  weary  thousand  miles. 
I  have  trampled  the  desert's  burning  sands 
And  the  snow-clad  mountains  of  unknown  lands. 
'Mid  the  crystal  waters  of  Desoret 
I  have  puUed  the  oar  and  cast  the  net. 
I  have  climbed  the  steeps  'mid  the  golden  ore, 
And  roamed  o'er  the  lone  Pacific  shore. 
I  have  ploughed  its  bosom  many  a  day 
To  visit  the  nations  far  away. 
I  have  stood  on  Chili's  distant  shore. 
Where  the  Polai-  Star  is  seen  no  more. 
I  have  gazed  on  the  Andes'  heights  of  snow, 
And  roamed  'mid   the  flowery  plains  below. 
I  have  toiled  with  the  great  in  freedom's  cause, 
And  assisted  to  give  to  a  State  its  laws. 
I  have  lain  in  a  dungeon,  bound  in  chains, 
And  been  honored  in  Courts  where  Justice  reigns. 
In  a  thousand  joys,   and  a  thousand  fears 
I  have  struggled  on  through  my  fifty  years. 
And  now,  by  the  law  of  God,  I  am  free  j 
I  will  seek  to  enjoy  my  Jubilee. 
I  will  hie  me  home,  to  my  mountain  deU, . 


500      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

And   will  say   to  the  "  Cliristian  "  world — farewell ! 

I  have  served  ye  long ;   'twas  a  thankless  task; 

To  retire  in  peace  is  all  I  ask. 

Another  fifty  years  will  fully  prove 
Our  message  true,   and   all  our  motives  love. 
Then  shall  an  humble  world  in  reverence  bow, 
And  hail  the  Prophets  so  rejected  now. 
Kings  shall  revere,  and  nations  incense  bring 
To  Zion's  temple  and  to  Zion's   King. 
I  shall  be  there  and  celebrate  the  day 
'Till  twice  ten  fifties   shall  have  passed  away. 


A  EESPONSE   TO  P.  P.  PEATT'S   "  FIFTIETH  YEAE." 

BY    JOHN    TAYLOR. 

Thou  art  "  fifty  years  old " — I  am  glad  to  see 
That  thou  now  canst  hope  for  a  Jubilee. 
Go  rest  thee,  my  friend,   for  weary  and  long 
Thou  hast  faithfully  striven  Avith  a  wayward  throng; 
With   a  world  environed  with  error's  chain 
Thou  hast  wrestled  and  struggled,  but  not  in  vain. 
On   thy  native  shore  and  on  foreign  land 
Thou,  hast  battled  for  truth  ^vith  a  master  hand, 
And  their  cities,  and  towns,  and  hamlets  have  rung 
With  the  sound  of  truth,  with  the  voice  of  song  ; 
And  thousands  in  Zion  do  now  rejoice. 
Who've  read  thy  works  or  heard  thy  voice, 
And  mdhons  have  seen  thy  bosom   swell 
With  celestial  truths  thou  lov'st  so   weU. 

Let  drivelling  sycophants  bow  the  knee 
To  that  chameleon  shrine,  popularity. 
And  with  honey'd  lips,  bound  with  mammon's  speU, 
Plaster  over  the  vices  they  dard  not  tell, 
And  with  wheedling,   whining,  canting  tongue, 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY     OF     PARLEY     P.     PRATT.  501 

Daub  o'er  the  deeds  of  a  hellish  throng. 
'Twas  thine  the  mask  from   their  loathsome  face 
To  rend,   and  exhibit  their  foul  disgrace. 

Thou  hast  grappled  with  sages  in  error  rife, 
Thou  hast  taught  to  the  erring  the  way  of  life ; 
With  flaming  words   and  a  burning  pen 
Thou  hast  bearded  gaunt  priestcraft  in  his  den, 
And  said  to  Baal's   grizzly  jHiests,   avaunt ! 
I  dare  you  in  your  dark,   ghastly  haunt. 
And   the  canting,   craving  minions  fled 
At  the  truths  thou  penned  and  the  words  thou  said. 
With  Elijah's  faith   and  Elijah's  rod, 
Thou  despised  then-  power  and  defied  their  god, 
And  made  the  cantmg  hirelings  cower 
Beneath  the  truth's  keen   withering  power. 
Thou  show'd  them  their  systems  were  doom'd  to  fall, 
That  "Upharsin"   was  written  on  Babel's  wall. 
Thou  hast  spent  'midst  their  hordes  a  busy  life  ; 
Thou  art  leaving  the  den  of  their  Babel  strife. 
Let  others  now  'mid  the  nations  roam, 
And  hie  thee  away  to  thy  mountain  home. 

If,   sleeping  at  night,  the  weary  may 
Forget  the  cares   and  toils  of  day  j 
And  if  by  God  to  man  is  given 
A  day  of  rest  in  every  seven  ; 
K  the  pledg'd  possession  could  be  restored, 
On  the  grand  release  by  Jehovah's  word ; 
If  the  debtor's  bonds  could  then  be  broke, 
And  the  slave  be  freed  from  a  master's  yoke, 
And  the  very  land  a  partaker  be 
Of  the  general  jubilant  Jubilee  ; 
If  all  bonds  were  broken  on  that  day. 
And  chains   and  manacles  thrown  away ; 
If  throughout  the  land,  by  every  tongue. 
All  joined  in  the  joyous  Jubilee  song  ; 


502      AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATT. 

If  debtors  and  slaves   and  earth  were  free, 
Thou  oughtest  to  have  a  Jubilee. 

If  a  Tvish  from  a  sincere  friendly  heart 
Can  to  thee  any  comfort  or  joy  impart ; 
If  a  fervent  prayer  to  the  God  of  grace 
Could  smooth  thy  path  in  thy  onward  race, 
That  prayer  would  be,  may  grace  be  given 
To  wend  thy  onward  course  to  Heaven. 
May'st  thou  abound  in  com  and  wine, 
And  the  blessings  of  plenty  now  be  thine ; 
May  thy  family  all  be  free  from  care, 
And  a  husband's  and  father's  plenty  share ; 
May  thy  sun  go  down  with   glory  rife, 
And  dying  may'st  thou  burst  into  life  ; 
And,  when  sleeping  among  the  silent  dead. 
Have  the  blessings  of  millions  on  thy  head  j 
And  living  with  God,   may'st  thou  be  free, 
And  partake  of  an  endless  Jubilee. 


FINIS. 


APPENDIX. 


Soon  after  the  last  extract  from  his  journal,  President  P.  P.  Pratt  left  St. 
Louis  for  Arkansas,  where  lie  was  foUowed  by  three  bloodthirsty  wretches, 
who  had  previously  declared  their  intention  to  kill  him.  To  aid  them  in  their 
sanguinary  designs  they  preferred  fictitious  charges  against  him,  from  which 
he  was  honorably  discharged  by  a  United  States  Court  at  Van  Buren. 
These  assassins  then  followed  him  and  murdered  him  in  cold  blood,  near 
Van  Buren,  Arkansas,  May  13,  1857. 

We  extract  the  following,  in  relation  to  his  death,  from  The  Mormon  of 
May  30,  published  in  New  York,   John  Taylor,  Ed. : 

ASSASSINATION  OF  PRESIDENT  P.  P.  PRATT. 

"  Our  readers  will  doubtless  be  startled  with  the  above  announcement ;  our 
heart  is  deeply  pained  to  say  it,  but  we  have  no  reason  for  doubting  the 
sad  intelligence  that  has  reached  us,  though,  as  yet,  only  by  the  way  of 
the  public  press.  A  few  days  ago  we  were  advised  of  his  apprehension 
near  Fort  Gibson ;  and,  close  upon  the  receipt  of  that  information,  we  learned, 
by  telegraphic  despatch,  that  he  had  been  assassinated  near  Van  Buren, 
Arkansas,   May   13.        *        *        * 

"As  we  have  not  the  space  this  week  that  we  require  to  enter  into  de- 
tails, and  may,  before  another  issue,  receive  additional  information  on  the 
subject,  we  shall  only  say,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  are  interested,  that 
his  assassins  followed  him  some  twelve  miles  from  the  place  of  trial,  and, 
taking   advantage   of  his  lonely   position,   shot  him. 

"Though  we  deeply  deplore  the  loss  to  the  Church  of  such  a  great  and 
upright  man,  and  the  bereavement  to  his  family,  yet  we  mourn  not.  His 
life  has  been  one  of  honor  and  faithfulness ;  his  days  have  been  well  spent 
in  the  service  of  his  God;  his  name  is  revered  by  thousands  and  tens  of 
thousands,  and  will  be  honored  by  milUons  yet  unborn ;  while  that  of  his 
cowardly  assassins,  and  those  who  have  cheered  them  on  to  this  damning 
deed,  and  who  now  rejoice  over  their  crime,  will  be  loathsome,  and  a  stink 
in  the  nostrils   of  God  and   good  men." 

The  following  is  extracted  from  the  Millennial  Star  of  July  4,  1857,  and 
written  by  his  brother,   Orson  Pratt,  who  was  then   Editor  of  the  Star: 


il  APPENDIX. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  PARLEY  P.  PRATf. 

"  This  great  Apostle  and  martyr  of  the  nineteenth  century  was  born  OQ 
the  12th  day  of  April,  1807,  in  Burlington,  Otsego  county,  State  of  New- 
York.  He  was  the  third  son  of  Jared  and  Charity  Pratt;  Jared  was  the 
son  of  Obadiah  and  Jemima  Pratt;  Obadiah  was  the  son  of  Christopher 
and  Sarah  Pratt;  Christopher  was  the  son  of  William  and  Hannah  Pratt; 
WilUam  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Pratt;  Joseph  was  the  son  of  Lieutenant 
WiUiam  and  Ehzabeth  Pratt,  who  were  found  among  the  first  settlers  of 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  in  the  year  1639.  They  are  supposed  to  have  accom- 
panied the  Rev.  Thomas  Hooker  and  his  congregation,  about  one  hundred 
in  number,  from  Newtown,  now  called  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  through  a 
dense  wilderness,  inhabited  only  by  savages  and  wild  beasts,  and  became  the 
first  founders  of  the   colony  at  Hartford,  in   June,   1636. 

"  This  ancient  pilgrim,  William  Pratt,  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature 
for  some  twenty-five  or  thirty  sessions;  and  the  General  Court  gave  him 
one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Saybrook,  Connecticut,  for  service  performed 
as  lieutenant  in  the  Pequot  war;  he  was  one  of  the  judges  of  the  first 
Court  in  New  London  County.  Parley  P.  Pratt  is  a  hneal  descendant,  of 
the  seventh  generation,  from  that  distinguished  pilgrim  and  humble  pioneer 
to  the    new    world. 

"  The  youthful  days  of  Parley  P.  Pratt  were  characterized  by  the 
soberness  and  thoughtfulness  of  manhood.  Though  from  adverse  circum- 
stances his  education  was  extremely  limited,  yet  he  displayed,  even  in  youth, 
an  originality  of  mind  seldom  exhibited.  In  September,  1830,  he,  being  led 
by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  from  his  home  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  came  sev- 
eral hundred  miles  eastward,  where  he  fortunately  obtained  a  copy  of  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  works  of  modern  times — the  Book  of  Mormon.  He 
read  the  same,  was  convinced  of  its  divine  authenticity,  and  traveled  in 
search  of  the  highly  favored  men  of  God  who  had  seen  angels  and  heard 
the  voice  of  the  Almighty.  He  soon  succeeded  in  finding  some  of  them, 
from  whom  he  learned  that  about  five  months  previous  the  first  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  of  the  Latter-Day  Saints  had  been  organized.  Ho  requested  baptism,  and 
was  immediately  thereafter  ordained  an  Elder.  The  same  month  he  visited  Canaan, 
Columbia  County,  New  York — the  county  where  he  had  spent  many  of  his 
youthful  days — and  after  preaching  a  few  times  in  diiferent  neighborhoods, 
tod  baptizing  Orson   Pratt,  his   brother,  he   returned  to   Seneca  County. 

"Receiving  a  revelation  tlirough  Joseph  the  Prophet,  he,  in  company  with 
three  or  four  others,  performed  a  mission,  some  fifteen  hundred  miles,  to 
the  western  boundaries  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  and  was  among  the  first 
of  the  Saints  to  stand  upon  that  choice  land  where  the  City  of  Zion  is 
hereafter  to  be  built,   preparatory  to  the  second  advent  of  our  Saviour. 


APPENDIX.  m 

"In  the  spring  of  1831  he  returned  to  the  northern  part  of  Ohio,  where  he 
met  Joseph  tlie  Prophet.  In  the  summer  he  again  performed  a  mission 
through  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Missouri,  preaching,  baptizing  and  building 
up  the   Church. 

"  In  the  autumn  of  1833  he  and  about  twelve  hundred  men,  women  and 
children  were  driven  by  a  murderous,  furious  mob  from  their  own  houses 
and  lands  in  Jackson  County,  Missouri  Two  liundred  houses  were  burned, 
cattle  shot,  hay  stacks  and  grain  burned,  many  whipped  imtil  their  bowels 
gushed  out;  others  killed,  and  the  afflicted  remnant  driven  across  the  river 
into   Clay  County. 

"  Soon  after  this  Elder  Pratt  performed  a  long  journey  of  about  fifteen 
hundred  miles   east,  preaching  repentance   and  strengthening  the   Saints. 

"In  1834  he  again  returned  to  Clay  County,  Missouri,  ofl&ciating  in  his 
holy  calling  wherever   he  went. 

"  In  February,  1835,  having  returned  to  the  northern  part  of  Ohio,  he  was  chosen 
and  ordained  one  of  the  Twelve  Apostles  of  this  last  dispensation ,  and  the 
same  year  performed  a  lengthy  journey  through  Pennsylvania,  New  York, 
and  several  of  the  New  England   States,  and  returned  again   to   Ohio. 

"  In  1836  he  visited  Canada,  and  estabUshed  a  large  branch  of  the 
Church  in   Toronto,  and   other  branches   in   adjoining  towns. 

"  In  1837  he  visited  New  York  City,  where  he  founded  a  large  branch 
of  the   Church. 

"  In  1838  he  removed  to  Caldwell  County,  in  the  western  boundaries  of 
Missouri;  and  in  the  same  year  another  dreadful  persecution  commenced 
against  the  Saints,  and  they  were  again  driven  from  their  own  houfies  and  in- 
heritances, and  their  property  to  the  amount  of  millions  was  destroyed;  some 
scores  of  defenseless  men,  women  and  children  were  murdered;  some  scores  of 
others  were  incarcerated  in  dongeons,  among  whom  was  P.  P.  Pratt;  the  bal- 
ance, abont  fifteen  thousand,  were  exterminated  from  the  State,  and  found  refuge 
in  Illinois.  Elder  Pratt  was  kept  in  prison,  without  trial,  about  eight  months, 
when,  by  the  kind  providence  of  God,  he  made  his  escape  on  Juiy  4,  1839.  Im- 
mediately after  gaining  his  liberty  he  published  a  history  of  the  Missouri  per- 
secution, written  while  in  prison.  The  first  edition  appeared  in  Detroit  in 
1839. 

"In  1840  he,  in  company  with  others  of  the  Twelve,  came  to  England,  and 
in  the  city  of  Manchester  commenced  the  publication  of  a  periodical  entttled 
the  Millennial  Star,  which  has  continued  until  the  present  time— this  being  the 
forty-eighth  volmne   (1886). 

"In  1841  he  was  appointed  the  President  over  all  the  British  Conferences, 
and  remained  in  this  high  and  honorable  station  until  the  autumn  of  1842, 
during  which  he  edited  the  Star,  superintended  the  Saints'  emigration,  and 
published    several    small  but    interesting    works.       The    following    winter    he 


rr  A.PPENDTX. 

returned  to  Illinois,  where  he  continued  laboring  in  the  ministry  for  one  or 
two  years. 

"About  the  beginning  of  the  ye*r  1845  he  was  appointed  the  President 
over  all  the  Churches  in  the  New  Englaad  and  Middle  States,  his  head- 
quarters being  at  New  York  City,  where  he  pubhshed  a  periodical  entitled 
T}ie  Prophet.      In  the  summer  he  returned  to  Nauvoo. 

"In  February,  1846,  he  was  again  driven  from  his  home  by  a  ruthless 
mob.  Some  fifteen  or  twenty  thousand  Saints  were  also  driven  from  the 
United  States  about  the  same  time,  with  the  loss  of  houses,  and  lands,  and 
an  immense  amount  of  property,  which  the  mob  are  in  the  unmolested  pos- 
session of  until  the  present  day.  After  wading  through  unparalleled  sufEer- 
ings  with  his  family,  he  and  the  suffering  Saints  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
Indian  country  at  Council  Bluffs,  and  being  called  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
through  the  Prophet  Bringham  Young,  to  go  to  England,  he  left  his  family 
upon  the  broad  prairie,  without  house  or  scarcely  any  food,  to  comply  with 
the  word  of  the  Lord.  He  arrived  in  England,  assisted  in  setting  the 
Churches  in  order,  and  in  strengthening  the  Saints  throughout  the  British 
islands. 

"  In  the  spring  of  1847  he  returned  to  his  family  and  brethren ;  and  in 
the  summer  and  autumn  of  that  year  he  removed  to  Great  Salt  Lake  Valley, 
and  suffered  incredible  hardships  until  the  harvest  of   1848. 

"  He  assisted  in  forming  a  Constitution  for  the  Provisional  Government  of 
Deseret,  and  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Senate  in  the  General  Assembly; 
and  was  afterwards  elected  to  the  Legislative  Council  when  Utah  became  a 
Territory  of  the   United  States. 

"The  year  1851  he  was  sent  on  a  mission  to  the  Pacific  islands  and  to 
South  America. 

"In  the  smnmer  of  1855  he  returned  over  the  Sierra  Nevada  mountains 
to  his  home,  and  occupied  a  part  of  his  time  in  preaching  in  the  various 
settlements  of  Utah,  and  at  other  times  laboring  with  his  own  hands  in 
the  cultivation  of  his  farm.  The  following  winter  he  officiated  as  chaplain 
in  the  Legislative   Council  at  the   State   House  in  Fillmore   City. 

"  In  the  autumn  of  1856  he  accompanied  about  twenty  missionaries  across 
the  plains  to  the  States.  During  the  winter  and  part  of  the  following 
spring  he  visited  the  Saints  at  St.  Louis,  Philadelphia,  New  York  and 
other  places,  preaching,  writing  and  publishing  the  glad  tidings  of  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

"And  finally,  on  the  13th  of  May,  1857,  he  fell  a  noble  martyr  for  the 
cause  of  truth,  which  he  had  advocated  with  such  untiring  perseverance  for 
nearly   twenty-seven  years. 


APPENDIX.  V 

"Among  the  numerous  writings  of  this  martyred  Apostle  may  be  men- 
tioned first,  the  'Voice  of  Warning,'  printed  in  New  York  in  1838,  and 
which  has  since  passed  through  many  editions,  and  been  translated  into 
several  foreign  languages;  second,  his  'History  of  the  Missouri  Persecutions;' 
third,  his  'Poems;'  fourth,  his  'Key  to  Theology;'  a  masterly  production, 
lately  published.  'The  History  of  his  Life,'  up  to  near  the  time  of  his 
martyrdom,  was  written  by  himself,  and  is  now  about  ready  for  the  press; 
this  will  doubtless  prove  to  be  one  of  the  most  interesting  works  proceed- 
ing from  his   pen. 

"  0,  how  pleasant  is  the  death  of  a  righteous  person !  he  lays  dowTi  his 
body  with  a  sure  and  certain  hope  of  coming  forth  from  the  tomb  in  the 
morning  of  the  first  resurrection,  to  reign  as  a  mighty  King  and  Priest  of 
the  Most  High  God,  to  sit  enthroned  in  eternal  glory,  ruUng  with  power 
and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever. 

"  0,  kind  hearted,  affectionate  brother !  how  dearly  we  loved  thee  in  life  I 
how  joyous  to  our  soul  were  the  words  of  life  which  flowed  from  thy 
mouth  by  the  pure  spirit  of  inspiration !  how  lovely  still  is  our  remem- 
brance of  thee !  "We  weep  not  for  thy  death,  for  it  was  glorious  1  Thou 
hast  left  us  only  for  a  short  moment,  and  we  shall  soon  embrace  thee 
again  1  Thy  fiftieth  year  had  but  just  roUed  away,  and  now  thy  Jubilee 
has  come!  Eest  in  thy  Father's  house,  with  aU  the  noble  martyrs  of  the 
nineteenth  century,  untU  the  JubUee  of  the  earth  shall  also  come;  then 
shalt  thou  return  and  reign  triumphantly  with  all  the  redeemed  of  Adam's 
race." 

From  the  following  letter,  written  only  about  four  months  prior  to  his 
martyrdom,  he  plainly  indicates  that  his  pilgrimage  and  "personal  history  in 
this  world,"'   were   near   their  close : 


"New  York,   United  States,  i 

January    '2d,   1857.  ] 

"Dear  Brother  Orson — I  received  your  kind  letter  on  the  30th  December, 
1856.       I  was   thereby   glad   to   hear  from   you   and   of  your   welfare. 

"I  am  well;  I  spent  about  a  month  in  St.  Louis;  I  then  came  on  to 
Cincinnati  and  stayed  four  days,  drawing  full  houses.  I  arrived  in  Phila- 
delphia the  day  before  Christmas — was  present  next  day  at  a  grand  party 
in  that  city-  in  "Washington  HalL  It  was  a  fine  time.  Sunday  last  I 
preached  three  times  to  a  full  house. 

"I  arrived  here  on  "Wednesday  last-,  found  Presidents  Taylor  and  Smith 
as  well  as   usual 


VI  APPENDIX. 

"Yesterday  I  attended  a  party  here,  iu  the  Saints'  Hall;  it  was  an  inter- 
esting  affair,  some  four  hundred  persons  being  present.  "We  were  entertainer^ 
with  songs,   prayers,   preaching,   praying,    recitations,    eating,   drinking,   etc. 

"In  the  midst  of  our  evening's  enjoyment  the  news  arrived  of  the  arri- 
yal  of  the  Columbia,  with  a  ship  load  of  Saints  from  England.  To-day  we 
accompanied  brother  Taylor  to  see  them.  All  well,  but  a  rough  passage; 
no  deaths.       The  weather  is   mild  here,    and  the  winter  so  far  very  fine. 

"I  have  not  yet  seen  the  Pratt  family,  of  whom  you  speak,  but  I  think 
I  wUl  visit  them  in  a  day  or  two. 

"  Tou  ask  how  long  I  -will  stay  in  the  States.  I  answer,  till  spring.  I 
wiU  then  go  home,  if  God  will,  if  I  have  to  go  with  a  hand  cart.  This 
country  is  no  place  for  me ;  the  darkness  is  so  thick  I  can  literally  feel 
it.  I  cannot  obtain  the  least  assistance  here  for  my  family ;  a  tight  match 
to  obtain  travelling   expenses. 

"I  have  heard  nothing  from  home  since  October  1st,  but  I  hope  to  hear 
soon.  I  congratulate  you  on  the  miarriage  of  your  first  born,  and  hope 
you  wUl  soon  become  a  grandfather. 

"  Now,  dear  brother  Orson,  be  of  good  courage — our  pilgrimage  will  soon  he 
over,  and  our  persorujl  history  in  Oiis  world  will  naturally  come  to  the 
word  FINIS. 

"As  to  my  history,  I  have  it  now  complete  from  my  birth  up  to  to-day. 
It  wiU  contain  about  as  much  reading  as  the  Book  of  Mormon.  I  would 
publish   it,   in  part  or  in  full,   if  gold  was   plentifuL         *  *  * 

"I  have  written  to  Nelson  Pratt  and  received  an  answer;  he  is  welL 
I  am   going  there   soon,   if  all  is  welL 

"I  am  to  start  from  St  Louis  for  home  just  as  early  in  the  spring  as 
the  weather   wUl   permit       Farewell !    Grod  bless  you. 

"I  am  your  own   brother, 

"P.  P.   Pratt." 


GENEALOGY, 


The  following  correspondence,  extracted  from  a  letter  from  my  brother, 
Orson  Pratt,  Sen.,  dated  at  "Washington,  D.  C,  March  10th,  1853,  throws 
a  clear  hght  upon  our  ancestry,  back  as  far  as  the  earhest  settlements  of 
the   Pilgrim   Fathers   in   Saybrook   and   Hartford,    Conn. 

"J/y  dear  broker  Parley — I  embrace  the  present  opportunity  to  write  a 
few  lines  to  you.         *  *  * 

"It  afEords  me  much  joy  to  be  able  to  inform  you  that  I  have  obtained 
the  names  and  some  knowledge  of  our  ancestors  back  for  many  generations. 

"  The  genealogy  runs  thus :  Our  father,  Jared  Pratt,  was  the  son  of 
Obadiah,  who  was  the  son  of  Christopher,  who  was  the  son  of  William 
Pratt,  who  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Pratt,  who  was  the  son  of  Lieutenant 
"William  and  Ehzabeth  Pratt,  who  is  supposed  to  have  come  with  his 
brother,  John  Pratt,  from  Essex  Count}',  England,  about  the  year  1633, 
who  were  found  among  the  first  settlers  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  in  the  , 
year  1639.  They  are  supposed  to  have  accompanied  the  Eev.  Thomas 
Hooker  and  his  congregation,  about  one  hundred  in  number,  from  XewtouTi, 
now  called  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  through  a  dense  wQdemess,  inhabited 
only  by  savages  and  wild  beasts,  and  became  the  first  founders  of  the 
colony  at  Hartford,  Connecticut,  in  June,  1636,  and  thence  to  Saybrook 
about   the   year  1645. 

"  The  way  I  came  by  this  information  is  as  follows :  Seeing  a  short 
editorial  in  some  of  my  exchange  papers,  that  there  was  an  attempt  l^eing 
made  to  search  out  the  lineal  descendants  of  Lieutenant  "\Vm.  Pratt,  and 
that  the  Eev.  Frederick  "\V.  Chapman,  of  South  Glastenbury,  Conn.,  was 
engaged  in  that  work,  I  immediately  addressed  a  letter  to  him,  giving  him 
the  names  of  Jared,  Obadiah  and  Christopher,  and  asking  him  for  all  the 
information  he  was  in  possession  of  in  relation  to  our  ancestors.  He  im- 
mediately  sent  me  a  letter  and  two  printed  circulars.  The  following  is  a 
copy   of  the   letter: 

South  Glastenbury,  March  5th,  1853. 

'^Dear  Sir — I  have  just  received  your  favor.  It  affords  me  pleasure  to 
be  able  to  show  you  the  connecting  links  between  your  grandfather,  Oba- 
diah Pratt,  and  the  first  settler,  "WiUiam  Pratt,  who  came  with  the  company 
that  located  at  Hartford,  Conn.  He  received  a  portion  of  land  in  the  first 
distribution  in  February,  1639.  He  married  Elizabeth  Clark,  daughter  of 
John  Clark,  of  Milford,  Connnecticut,  about  the  same  time.  He  had  eight 
children.  Of  these,  two  were  born  in  Hartford.  He  removed  to  Saybrook 
in  1645.     His  third  child,  Joseph  Pratt,   born  at  Saybrook,  August  1st,   1648. 

SECOND   GENERATION. 

Saraf  Ch'apman,  }  ^^^^^^  September,   1686. 
Thirteen  children — five  by  a  former  wife.      WiUiam  one  of  the  children. 

THIRD    GENERATION. 

hSS  Hougli,  I^*''"^'^  ^""^^^  ^'  ^^^^- 


^m  GENEALOGY. 


Six  children,  viz: 

Joseph, horn  April  13,   1103. 


Ephraim, 
Margaret... . 
Christopher, . 
Elizabeth, . . , 
Experience, . 


1,  1705. 

"         1,  1708. 

Nov.     4,  1712. 

Jan.    20,  1717. 

Sept.    28,  1720. 


FOURTH   GENERATION. 

Christopher  Pratt,  j  ^^^^^^^  j^^  ^^    ^^^^ 

Sarah  Pratt,  ) 

Children : 

Stephen, born  June  30,   1740,  at  Saybrook. 

Obadiah, "    Sept.   14,  1742,  " 

Sarah, "  March  28,  1745. 

Hannah, "     Aug.     6,  1747. 

Chalker, "     Feb.  14,   1750. 

Samuel, 

"I  want  very  much  to   get  aU    the   descendants   of    the    last    six.       Tour 
letter  was  the  first  clue  to  any  of  them  which  I  have  received.      It  is  more 
difficult  to  trace  the  descendants  of    Joseph   tlian    any  other  of   tlie  six  chil- 
dren of  "William  Pratt.     In  fact,  they  seem  to  have  disappeared  from  Saybrook 
•  about  a  century  ago. 

"I  have  already  collected  about  two  thousand  of  the  descendants  of  "Wil- 
liam Pratt.  There  are  probably  not  less  than  five  thousand.  Robert  Chapman, 
my  ancestor,  was  married  about  two  years  after  WilUam  Pratt.  I  have 
collected  over  five  thousand  of  his  descendants,  and  tlie  work — a  volume  of 
three  hundred  to  three  hundred  and  fifty  pages — is  nearly  ready  for  the  press. 
I  shall  be  able  to  collect  most  of  the  descendants  of  "WUham  if  those  whom 
I  address  will  answer  my  letters  and  lend  a  helping  hand. 

"  May  I  rely  on  you  to  aid  me  in  collecting  the  descendants  of  Christopher 
Pratt  ? 

"Is  your  father  hving?  If  so,  he  may  be  able  to  inform  you  where  the 
brothers  and  sisters  of  his  grandfather,  Christopher  resided — or,  perhaps,  give 
the  post-office  address  of  one  of  the  descendants  of  each  family. 

"  He  can,  of  course,  give  me  some  account  of  his  uncles  and  aunts. 
Please  write  immediately  and  inform  me.  I  want  the  marriage  of  Stephen, 
when  and  to  whom — and  of  Obadiah,  when  and  to  whom,  and  the  names 
of  their  children — dates  of  birth ;   and  so  of  Sarah  and  the  others. 

"You  can,  of  course,  give  me  a  list  of  your  grandfather's  children. 
Also  give  the  name  of  your  mother,  and  date  of  your  father's  marriage, 
with  a  list  of  all  his  children. 

"  I  enclose  two  circulars.  There  is  a  Pratt,  ex-Governor  of  Maryland  ;  I 
know  not  his  address  ;  if  you  can  ascertain,  please  forward  one.  Let  me 
hear  from  you  soon.  Respectfully  yours, 

Frederick  W.  Chapman. 

"Now,  my  dear  brother  Parley,  when  I  received  the  foregoing  letter  I 
wept  Uke  a  httle  child  ;  I  was  so  overjoyed  that  I  could  not  refrain  from 
weeping. 

"There  are  none  among  aU  the  descendants  of  our  ancestor.  Lieutenant 
"WilUam  Pratt,  who  have  so  deep  an  interest  in  searching  out  his  descend- 
ants as  ourselves.  "We  know  that  the  God  of  our  fathers  has  had  a  hand 
in  aU  this.  He  it  was  who  brought  our  ancestor  "William  from  England, 
and  estabUshed  him  in  this  choice  land  of  promise,  given  to  us  by  virtue 
of  the  covenant  made  with   our  ancient  father,   Joseph,  the  son  of  Jacob. 

"The    Lord    God    of    our    fathers    has  multiplied   them  in   this  land,   and 


GENEALOGY.  ij 

made  them  almost  a  nation  -critliin  a  nation.     Blessed  be  the  name  of  our 
(xod,  tor  He  remembereth  his  covenants  foreveiroore. 

''He  has  wrought  upon  the  hearts  of  his  servants,  our  relations,  though 
unknown  to  them,  to  mquu-e  out  the  genealogy  and  history  of  our  fathers 
upon  the  promised  land.  Yea,  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  God  of 
Joseph  and  of  Israel,  for  he  hath  given  into  our  hands  the  keys  of  the 
pnesthood  and  the  doctrines  of  salvation,  that  we  might  stand  as  sa\iors 
upon  Mount  Zion,  in  behalf  of  our  ancestors  and  their  Uneal  descendants 
Let  us,  my  dear  brother  Parley,  take  hold  of  tliis  matter  in  earnest  and 
assist  our  kmdred  in  the  laudable   enterprise   which  they  have  undertaken 

"I  have  no  records  with  me  and  my  memory  is  weak  Therefore  I 
hope  you  will  search  up  all  the  famUy  records,  and  all  the  verbal  infor- 
mation withm  your  reach— with  names,  dates,  births,  places,  marria<re3  and 
deaths,   and  forward   without   delay. 

"Does  our  father's  sister,  aunt  Lovina  Van  Cott,  or  yourself  know  any- 
thmg  about  the  descendants  of  Stephen,  Sarah  and  others,  the  brothers  and 
sisters  to  our  grandfather,  Obadiah  ?  How  shall  we  get  a  clue  to  them' 
Is  It  possible  to  find  out  any  descendant  of  either  of  the  brothers  or  sisters 
of  Christopher  Pratt,  of  Saybrook,  our  great-grandfather?  TVho  and  when 
m  our  grandfather,  ObacUah,  marry  ?  How  many  children  had  Obadiah  ' 
Whom  did  they  marry,  and  when  ?  How  manv  children  had  each  of  our 
uncles  and  aunts,  the  brothers  and  sisters  of  our  father  ?  And  how  many 
children  and  grandchildren  has  each  of  these  cousins?  In  short  aU  the 
descendants  of  our  great-grandfather,  Christopher,  are  wanting. 
T4.  *  ■  -u^*  t  ^^'^^  ^^^  ^^®  information  you  am  gather  to"  Mr.  Chapman 
It  might  not  be  amiss  to  send  him  your  •  History  of  the  Persecution ' 
your  Vmce  of  Warning,'  and  such  other  works  as  you  may  be  the 
author  of;  and  also,  if  you  see  proper,  a  biographical  sketch  of  vour  life 
I  have  forwarded  to  him  all  of  my  works.  *  *  *  i  j^a^g  '^^^^  g^^j 
nim  all  the  information   in   my   power   concerning   our  kindred.        *         * 

"  I  sent  a  letter  last  evenmg  proposing  to  take  some  fifty  or  a  hundred 
dollars  worth  of  the  records  as  soon  as  published.  These  will  supply 
myself  and  brothers  and  our  rising  famiUes.  I  also  proposed  to  search  out 
a  possible,  the  ancestors  of  William  Pratt,  in  England.  I  expect  to  ^isit 
England  m  April  or  May,  and  shall  probably  be  absent  two  or  three  »ionths. 
"This  from  your  younger  brother, 

"To  Parley  P.   Pratt.  ..qesox  Pratt.- 

_  After  receiving  the  foregoing,  I  gathered  the  little  mformation  I  could, 
in  so  new  a  country  as  Utah  Territory,  and  adding  it  to  that  which  I 
knew  myself,  the  result  or  summary  of  the  whole  is  as  follows— for  a 
portion  of  which  I  am  indebted  to  the  family  records  of  my  aunt  Lovina 
Van  Cott,  and  to  her  memory,  she  being  stiU  living,  and  near  my  resi- 
dence in  Salt  Lake   City.  J        °'- 

Oiu-  great-grandfather,    Christopher  Pratt,   of    Saybrook,  Conn.,  had  six  cmi-' 
oren,   as  follows,    viz : 

Stephen, bom  June  30,    1740,   at  Saybrook. 

Obadiah, '•     Sept  14,    1742,  " 

Sarah, "  March  28,    1745. 

Hannah, "     Aug.     6,    1747. 

Chalker, "     Feb.  14,    1750. 

Samuel, 

•  ^^^  grandfather,  Obadiah  Pratt,  son  of  Christopher  and  Sarah  Pratt  bom 
m  Saybrook,  Conn.,  September  14,  1742,  received  in  marriage  Jemina  ToUs 
bom  m  New  Haven,  Conn.,  August  11th,  1754.  Date  of  marriage  not 
toiown.  He  died  in  Canaan,  Columbia  Counfrv,  New  York.  March  ■->  1707 
His  wife  died  in  WasMngtOD,  Dutchess  County,  New  York,  Nov    •'I'lSl'' 


GENEALOGY. 


Y.,  November  25, 

1769. 

"               March    4, 

1771. 

"          February     2, 

1773. 

"                   May  30, 

1776. 

"                   May  21, 

1777. 

"        September     3, 

1781, 

"                   July  30, 

1784. 

"              August     6, 

1787. 

"            October  10, 

1789. 

October  10, 

1789. 

.  Y.,            May     3, 

1793. 

Eleven  children,   as  follows  : 

Jared, . . .  .born  in  Canaan,  Columbia  County,   N. 

Barnabas,.     "              "                "  " 
Samuel,...    "              "                " 
Ehoda,....    "              "               " 

WiUiam,...    "              "                "  " 

Sarah, "              "                "  " 

Obadiah,..    "  "  " 

Lovina, ..."              "                "  " 

Ira, "              "                "  " 

Ellis, Twin  sister  of  Ira,   lived  five  days. 

Allen,  ....  bom  in  Canaan,   Columbia  County,  N 

Our  father,  Jared  Pratt,  son  of  Obadiah  and  Jemima  Pratt,  received  in 
marriage  Mary  Carpenter,  daughter  of  Samuel  Carpenter,  of  New  Lebanon, 
N.  Y.  She  bore  him  one  daughter,  named  Mary,  and  afterwards  died. 
This  daughter  married  a  Mr.  Brown,  of  New  Lebanon,  and  bore  one  son, 
named  Jerome  Brown.  She  afterwards  lost  her  husband,  and  was  married 
to  Samuel  Bigalow,  of  New  Lebanon ;   they  may  be  still  living  at  that  place. 

Our  father,  Jared,  afterwards  received  in  marriage  Charity  DicMson, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Dickison,  of  Bolton,  N.  Y.  I  remember  seeing  him 
once   (Dickison)   when  a   smaU  boy. 

Our  father,  Jared,  died  at  Detroit,  Michigan,  of  a  fever,  November  5, 
1839,  being  near  seventy  years  of  age.  He  died  in  the  house  of  his 
eldest  son,  Anson,  who  buried  him  some  three  or  four  miles  north  or 
northeast  from   Detroit,   in   Michigan. 

Our  mother,  Charity,  died  of  cholera  in  the  house  of  her  son  Anson,  at 
St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  May  20,  1849,  and  was  buried  in  the  graveyard  o( 
that  town,   and  a  tombstone   erected  to   her  memory. 

Their   children,   five   in   nmnber,   were   as   follows : 

Anson,    born   January   9,    1801,    died   May   26,    1849. 

■William   D.,   born   September   3,    1802,   Town    of   Wooster,   New 

York,   died   September   15,    1870,    Salt  Lake  City. 
Parley  P.,   born  AprQ   12,    1807,  in  Burhngton,   Otsego  County, 

New  York. 
Orson,   bom   September   19,    1811,   in   Hartford,   Washington  Go. 

New   York. 
Nelson,   bora  May   26,    1815. 


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