BANCROFT
LIBRARY
<
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LIFE OF
HEBER C. KIMBALL,
AN APOSTLE;
THE FATHER AND FOUNDER OF THE BRITISH MISSION.
BY ORSON F. WHITNEY.
IT IS easy in the world to live after the world's opinion ; it is easy in solitude to
live after our own ; but the great man is he who, in the midst of the crowd, keeps with
perfect sweetness the independence of his character. Emerson.
PUBLISHED BY THE KIMBALL FAMILY,
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.
PRINTED AT THE JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE.
1888.
TO THE MEMORY OF
My GRANDFATHER;
AND TO THE GREAT
Cause of Truth,
For which he lived and died; and to all who love that
Memory and that Cause,
This Volume is reverently Dedicated by
THE AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
IN presenting this work to the public, I not only
fulfill the desires of my own heart and those of my kin-
dred who have undertaken to publish what is here
written and compiled, but likewise, I am persuaded, the
wish of our departed ancestor. Laying the foundation
for such a work while living (as the copious selections
from his own writings will testify), he left its bringing
forth as a sacred legacy to his posterity.
For many years this duty, unenjoined in words, but
accepted by all in the light of a behest, was permitted to
lie dormant. The death of President Kimball, on the
22nd of June., 1868, was a calamity so sudden and heavy
in its effect upon his family, as to almost paralyze thought
and effort. Though trained to independence and self-
reliance, under his wise government, and never pam-
pered in ease and luxury, they had ever looked to
him for guidance and support, and had never known the
weight of responsibility resting upon him as their parent
and provider, only as from time to time he had taken
certain ones into his confidence and permitted them to
share his burdens.
In his absence they were as sheep that had lost their
IV PREFACE.
shepherd. "Who will provide for us now, and what
shall we do to earn a livelihood?" Such were the
thoughts presented to their minds, and the questions
asked of their secret souls, as they looked around upon
their temporal situation. The division of the parental
estate had left them comfortable, though far from rich,
None of his sons had trades, but all had been brought
up to work. Realizing that a city life was no longer
their lot, they resolved to separate, and, following the
example of their ancestors for generations, go forth and
colonize new regions. Some moved north, and others
south, but few remaining in the city of their birth, and.
at the expiration of fifteen years, many had become
almost as strangers to each other.
About the year 1883 a spirit of inquiry commenced
to manifest itself among the members of the Kimball
family, causing them to "feel after" and evince more
interest in each other's welfare. This sentiment increas T
ing, some of the elder members at length opened a
correspondence on the subject of a family reunion. By
many this was deemed impracticable, owing to their
scattered condition ; some living in Idaho, some in south-
ern Arizona, and others in California ; and nearly all in
circumstances which, it was thought, would hardly justify
the necessary outlay. But the desire to meet and mingle
with each other finally grew so urgent and so general
among them as though some unseen power were at
work in their midst, with this object in view that it was
determined to hold the reunion, no matter what sacrifice
it entailed.
PREFACE. V
During the summer of 1886, a number of the family
met and appointed a Committee on Reunion, selecting
for the day, June I4th, 1887, (the eighty-sixth anniver-
sary of their father's birth) and as the place of meeting,
Fuller's Hill Gardens, Salt Lake City. There came
together on that memorable occasion, fully three hundred
members and relatives of the Kimball family, with others
who had been invited to take part in the celebration. A
programme, previously arranged, consisting of speeches,
recitations, readings, vocal and instrumental music, etc.,
was carried out to the satisfaction and enjoyment of all,
and the remainder of the time spent in amusement, fes-
tivity and recreation. A spirit of peace and union,
powerful and indescribable, pervaded the assembly and
permeated the whole occasion, causing every heart to
swell with love, and many an eye to glisten with tears of
gratitude and joy. As though, indeed, the spirits of the
departed were there, bringing with them the sweet
influences of the celestial world, to weld anew, as links
of a broken chain, the souls of those so long separated.
It was, in truth, a day never to be forgotten.
There were present, of the family of President
Kimball, nineteen sons, six daughters, and several of his
widows, besides grand-children, and many other rela-
tives, near and remote.
One of the features of the programme was a sketch
of the life of Heber C. Kimball, written for the occasion
and read by his grandson, the author of this work. This
incident determined and united the family on a project
mooted by its members and partly executed several years
VI PREFACE.
before. It was the publication of the life of Heber C.
Kimball. On the evening of the day of reunion the
male members of the family met and appointed a com-
mittee of five on publication. Several thousand dollars
of undivided property, still in the estate, was devoted to
the purpose, and the author hereof solicited, and by
unanimous voice chosen and engaged to write the his-
tory.
Such, in brief, were the immediate causes of the
coming forth of this volume.
In the execution of my task, I have felt strongly
moved upon by the spirit of my grandsire, and verily
believe that his presence, though unseen, has hovered
near me.
This book is written from the standpoint of a Lat-
ter-day Saint. It makes no apology for the honest
expression of views, which, however false or fanatical
they may seem to others, are in the opinion of the author
only such as ought to be entertained by every sincere
believer and defender of the faith. It is issued with the
humble and earnest hope that it may go forth as a mes-
senger of Truth to help prepare the way for greater
things that shall glorify God and redeem Zion. The life
of a man like Heber C. Kimball, with its lessons of faith
and humility, of virtue, courage and devotion, cannot
fail, if prayerfully read, to do something in -this direction.
Wherever possible, I have allowed the subject to
speak for himself. In lieu of converting facts found of
record in his Journal into "original matter," I have pres-
ented them mostly in all their freshness and simplicity ;
PREFACE. vii
as flowers of the field, with the dew and fragrance of
their native meadow yet clinging to them. This has been
done, not only out of deference to the wishes of his
relatives, who desired that much of what their father had
written should be incorporated in the book of his life,
but because I have deemed it best to thus project upon
the reader's mental vision, by means of the most superior
process, the portrait of the man and his mission as
painted by himself.
I cannot close this introductory without expressing
my deep sense of indebtedness to the kind friends who
have aided and encouraged me in the bringing forth of
this, my first book. Their name is legion, but limited
space will only permit the mention of a few. To Presi-
dent Wilford Woodruff and others of the Apostles I am
indebted for kind words and encouragement, and for the
appointment of a committee, at my request, to read the
manuscript and pass upon it critically, as to doctrinal
and historical points, before placing it in the hands of
the printer; to Elder George Reynolds, for his intelli-
gent advice and labors as one of said committee ; and to
Edward W. Tullidge Esq., the veteran author, for a col-
lection of facts relating to my subject, gathered during
his extensive experience as historian and biographer.
Last, but not least, in this limited reference, I am under
obligations of gratitude to my uncle, Solomon F. Kim-
ball, the chief promoter of this work, who first approached
me on the subject of writing his father's life, and who, in
all the toils incident to such an undertaking, has proved
my staunch and faithful friend.
Vlll PREFACE.
My labor, I need hardly say, in conclusion, has been
one of love and duty. I have fulfilled, imperfectly I
know, conscientiously I am as certain, what I considered
a sacred trust ; the result of which I now lay at the feet
of an indulgent public.
ORSON F. WHITNEY.
NOVEMBER, 1888.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
A Pre-existent Glimpse God's Noble and Great Ones Heber
C. Kimball a Predestined Prophet Opening of the Last
Dispensation Heber's Birth and Parentage Early Inci-
dents of His Life Clouds and Sunshine 17
CHAPTER II.
A Romantic Episode Heber's Marriage with Vilate Murray
A Soldier and a Free Mason His Stern Arraignment of
the Ancient Order Death of Heber's Father and Mother . 24
CHAPTER III.
Heber's Poetic Nature A Rough Diamond Early Religious
Experience Joins the Baptist Church ''Signs in the
Heavens Above" Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young
The Everlasting Gospel 29
CHAPTER IV.
Heber Embraces Mormon ism A Baptism of Fire Death of
Miriam Young Vilate Kimball a Mother to the Orphans
Heber Ordained an Elder Resolves to Visit Kirtland. . . 37
CHAPTER V.
The Land of Shinehah Arrival of Heber and Brigham in Kirt-
land Their First Meeting with the Prophet The Kimballs
and Youngs Remove to Ohio Vexatious Suits and Mob
Violence Fallen on Perilous Times 42
CHAPTER VI.
The Gathering of the Titans Heber's Testimony of Joseph and
the Twelve Their Mighty Mission The Test of Faith
Zion's Camp 47
CHAPTER VII
The Redemption of Zion Enoch's City to Return Object of
The United Order Cause of the Jackson County Expulsion
-The Wheat from the Chaff 49
CHAPTER VIII.
The Zion's Camp Expedition Joseph as a Prophet- General-
Finding of the Bones of Zelph, the Ancient Rebellion in
the Camp Joseph Predicts a Scourge Heber's Failure as a
Launderer Zion's Camp Saved by a Storm 53
X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
PAGE.
The Fishing River Revelation Why Zion was not Redeemed
The Cholera in Camp The Test of Faith Complete
The Shadow of a Coming Event 70
CHAPTER X.
Building the Temple Joseph and Heber Working in the Quarry
The Theological School A Lesson on Faith Call of the
Twelve Heber C. Kimball Ordained an Apostle 80
CHAPTER XI.
First Mission of the Twelve Heber Revisits the Scenes of his
Childhood Mobbing an Abolitionist "The Accuser of the
Brethren" Days of Repentance and Reformation .... 92
CHAPTER XII.
Heber's Description of the Temple Its Dedication Angels
Administer The "Beloved Disciple" John Seen The
Solemn Assembly The Elders Endowed with Power from on
High Heber's Lone Mission 100
CHAPTER XIII.
The Worship of Mammon The Temporal Above the Spiritual
The Kirtland Bank Financial Disasters Apostasy Heber
Sorrows Over the Degeneracy of the Times no
CHAPTER XIV.
Zion's Ship Among the Breakers "Something New Must be
Done to Save the Church." Heber C. Kimball Appointed
to Open the British Mission Spiritual Things to the Front
Righting the Ship Heber's Prophecy to Willard Richards
"Yea, in the Name of the Lord, Thou Shalt Go With Me "
The Departure for England 115
CHAPTER XV.
Farewell to Native Land "Upon the Wide, Wide Sea"-
Heber's Dream of Joseph A Ship Out of Her Reckoning
A Dying Child Healed Apostle Hyde Preaches on Board
Arrival at Liverpool The Elders Leap Ashore 125;
CHAPTER XVI.
Strangers in a Strange Land The Elders Led by the Spirit to
Preston " Truth Will Prevail " -The Reverend James
Fielding Wonderful Fulfillment of Heber's Prophecies A
People Prepared for the Gospel The Elders Preach in
Preston 132
CHAPTER XVII.
Satan Alarmed The Powers of Evil Conspire Against the Elders
Chapels and Churches Closed Against Them The
Reverend Mr. Fielding in his Real Colors The Work Con-
tinues to Spread An Army of Demons Attack the Elders
The Dawn and Victory 138
CONTENTS. XI
CHAPTER XVIII.
PAGE.
The Reverend Mr. Fielding Forbids the Elders to Baptize their
Converts Apostle Kimball's Answer: "They are of Age
and Can Act for Themselves "Premier Gladstone and
Secretary Evarts Free Agency and Unrighteous Dominion
Heber C. Kimball Baptizes in the River Ribble A Miracle. 147
CHAPTER XIX.
The Elders Separate for the Better Prosecution of Their Work
Jennetta Richards The Preston Branch Organized Heber
Goes to Walkerfold Another Minister's " Craft in Danger"
More of Heber's Prophecies "Willard, I Baptized Your
Wife To-day." 151
CHAPTER XX.
The Mission of Elias The Symbolism of the Universe The
Past Preparatory to the Present and Future The Way Pre-
pared for the Fullness of the Gospel The "Lesser Lights of
England Fielding, Matthews and Aitken The Stars Paling
Before the Sun 158
CHAPTER XXI.
The Temperance Reform in Preston A Work Preparatory to the
Gospel Preaching in the "Cock Pit " Heber Writes
Home an Account of His Mission The Work in Cumber-
land Episode of Mary Smithies " She Shall Live to
Become a Mother in Israel." 165
CHAPTER XXII.
Heber Writes to Willard in Bedford The Elders Become
Licensed Preachers The " Milk" and " Meat of the Word"
Rapid Spread of the Work Miracles Heber's Dream of
the Bull and Field of Grain A Disappointed Mob .... 171
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Voice of the Good Shepherd Heber Converts Whole
Villages The Spirit of the Master Upon His Servant The
Christmas Conference in Preston 181
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Work of God not Dependent upon Man Humility a Source
of Power Every Man Chosen and Fitted for his Sphere
Example of Paul the Apostle Heber "Hits the Rock" in
Longton The Apostles Visit the Branches Prior to Return-
ing to America 188
CHAPTER XXV.
Condition of the Church at Home Pruning off the Dead
Branches A Day of Choosing Apostates Conspire to
Overthrow the Church Flight of the Prophet from Kirtland
Fall of Oliver Cowdery and other Apostles "Show Unto
us Thy Will, O Lord, concerning the Twelve!" 194
Xll CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
PAGE.
Heber's Farewell to Chatburn An Affecting Scene His Sym-
pathy for the Poor of England The April Conference in
Preston Two Thousand Saints Assemble Joseph Fielding
Appointed to Preside over the British Mission 200
CHAPTER XXVII.
Departure for Liverpool Heber's Letter to the Saints in Chat-
burn and Downham His Prediction concerning Thomas
Webster Its Strict Fulfillment 207
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Elders Sail for Home A Storm at Sea How Heber Found
Favor with the Steward Arrival at New York The
"Garrick" again Victorious Journey to Kirtland On to
Far West Happy Meeting with Joseph and the Brethren . 212
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Land where Adam Dwelt The Saints Impelled To ward their
Destiny Persecution Revives Adam-ondi-Ahman The
Altar of the Ancient of Days 218
CHAPTER XXX.
Times that Tried Men's Souls The Mob Gathering Against Far
West Battle of Crooked River Death of David W. Patten
Days of Darkness and Disaster 223
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Fall of Far West Joseph and his Brethren Betrayed to the
Enemy Heber Facing the Traitors His Fearless Denuncia-
tion and Firm Testimony Atrocities of the Mob Heber's
Prophecy of Retribution He Visits the Prophet in Rich-
mond Jail 228
CHAPTER XXXII.
Memorial to the Missouri Legislature A Chapter of Infamy-
How Missouri Redressed the Wrongs of the Suffering Saints
Brigham and Heber Setting in Order the Church
Arranging for the Exodus 237
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Hie First Presidency Instruct the Apostles Brigham Young
Chosen President of the Twelve The Exodus Begun
Heber Tarries in Missouri to Minister to his Imprisoned
Brethren His Faithful but Fruitless Efforts for their Release
The Lord Speaks to Heber 249
CHAPTER XXXIV.
A Word for the Fallen Only God Knoweth the Wherefore and
Why Orson Hyde's Repentance and Return to the Church
Heber C. Kimball and Hyrum Smith his Champions
Isaac Russell's Apostasy Heber Writes to the Church in
England 255
CONTENTS. Xlll
CHAPTER XXXV.
PAGE.
The Brethren in Liberty Jail Judge King's Coup D'Etat The
Mob Again Threaten Far West Fiends in Human Form
The Prophet Regains His Freedom The Apostles Fulfill
Revelation First Conference of the Church in Illinois . . 259
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Nauvoo the Beautiful Heber's Prediction Over the Fated City
Elder Rigdon's Alarm Heber's Second Encounter with
Evil Spirits Parley P. Pratt Escapes from Prison, Fulfilling
Heber's Prophecy 267
CHAPTER XXXVII.
An Epidemic of Disease Joseph Heals the Multitude Brigham
and Heber Start on their Mission to England Sickness by
the Way Heber Poisoned His Life Saved by Brigham . . 272
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
On to Kirtland Miraculously Supplied with Money Condition
of Affairs at the Old Church Headquarters 281
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The Apostles Sail for England Growth of the British Mission
During Heber's Absence Labors of Elders Woodruff and
Taylor First Council of the Twelve Among the Nations
Willard Richards Ordained an Apostle 285
CHAPTER XL.
Heber Visits the Branches Raised up During His Former Mission
His Report of their Condition and Standing First
General Conference at Manchester 290
CHAPTER XLI.
Founding the London Conference Apostles Kimball, Woodruff
and Smith Chosen for the Work Seeking for a Man with
the Spirit of God The First Convert The Elders Hold
Open-air Meetings in Tabernacle Square 296
CHAPTER XLII.
Father Corner Baptized The Apostles Visit the Reverend Robert
Aitken Heber Attacked with Cholera The Work in other
Parts Second Conference at Manchester Brigham Accom-
panies Heber to London Conversion of the Rev. James
Albion 33
CHAPTER XLIII.
Opening of the Year 1841 in London Encouraging Success of
the Elders Heber C. Kimball Blesses the Queen of Eng-
land The Woolwich Branch Organized Organization of
the London Conference The Prospect of War Between
Great Britain and the United States Hastens the Return of
the Apostles to America 3 T 3
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XLIV.
PAGE.
Heber Organizes the Birmingham Conference Meeting of the
Apostles in Manchester Prior to Returning to America
Orson Hyde Present on his way to Palestine The Extensive
Work of One Year 318
CHAPTER XLV.
The Apostles Sail for Home Arrival at New York Heber' s
Letter to the "Millennial Star" Happy Meeting With the
Prophet and the Saints at Nauvoo Labors Spiritual aad
Temporal Heber' s Phrenological Chart 322
CHAPTER XLVI.
Revelation of Celestial Marriage Secrecy the Price of Safety
Joseph Tests Heber and Makes him his Confidant How
Vilate Kimball was Converted Heber and Vilate give their
Daughter Helen to the Prophet in Celestial Marriage ... 331
CHAPTER XLVII.
John C. Bennett's Apostasy Heber and the Twelve sent out to
Refute his Slanders Heber's Famous Sermon: "The Clay
in the Hands of the Potter" Inception of the Relief
Society Vilate' s Vow and Heber's Prayer 339
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Heber's Last Mission to the Gentiles Joseph Smith a Candidate
for the Presidency of the United States The Apostles his
Electioneerers The Martyrdom Return of the Twelve to
Nauvoo 347
CHAPTER XLIX.
Choice of Joseph's Successor A Miracle The Mantle of Joseph
Falls Upon Brigham Young Heber C. Kimball his Right
Hand Man ... 353
CHAPTER L.
The Work Moves on in Spite of Persecution and Apostasy The
Nauvo r > Temple Finished and Dedicated The Saints Pre-
pare for their Removal to the Rocky Mountains 356
CHAPTER LI.
The Exodus Heber's Prophecy Fulfilled Evacuation of Nauvoo
The Camp of Israel on Sugar Creek Brigham and Heber
Lead the Church Westward Arrival at the Missouri River . 363
CHAPTER LII.
Destination of the Saints The Call for the Mormon Battalion
Heroic Response of the Exiles Brigham, Heber and Willard
as Recruiting Sergeants Departure of the Battalion The
Camp of Israel Goes into Winter Quarters The Fall of
Nauvoo 368
CONTENTS. XV
CHAPTER LIII.
PAGE.
The Word and Will of the Lord Concerning the Camp of Israel
The Pioneers Start for the Rocky Mountains Names of
the Heroes Incidents of the Journey West 373
CHAPTER LIV.
Arrival at Grand Island The Pioneer Buffalo Hunt Heber Kills
his First Bison The Spirit of Levity Rebuked The
Pioneers Reach Fort Laramie 383
CHAPTER LV.
The Pioneers Cross the Platte Governor Boggs and the
Missourians Col. Bridger "A Thousand Dollars for a
Bushel of Wheat"- The Pioneers' First Glimpse of the
Valley of the Great Salt Lake 386
CHAPTER LVI.
The Pioneers Enter the Valley Exploring and Colonizing A
Renewal of Covenants Selection of Inheritances Return
of the Leaders to Winter Quarters 389
CHAPTER LVII.
The First Presidency Reorganized Heber Attains to "The
Honor of the Three" Second Journey to the Mountains
Sickness and Distress Heber's Character as a Colonizer . . 396
CHAPTER LVIII.
The Cricket Plague Saved by the Gulls -Heber's Famous Pro-
phecy " States Goods" Sold in Great Salt Lake City
Cheaper than in New York 400
CHAPTER LIX.
Heber C. Kimball Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of
Deseret In the Legislature- Laying the Corner Stones of
the Salt Lake Temple neber's Consecration Prayer His
Prophecy in Relation to the Temple He Predicts Another
Famine 45
CHAPTER LX.
The Famine of '56 Heber a Second Joseph A Savior to his
People Vilate a Ministering Angel A Strange Piece of
Counsel President Kimball's Letters Descriptive of the
Famine to His Son William, in England 4 J 3
CHAPTER LXI.
The Hand-cart Emigration Perishing in the Snow Heroic Con-
duct of William H. and David P. Kimball President Kim-
ball's Plea and Exertions in Behalf of the Sufferers The
Utah War The Great Rebellion 425
XVI CONTENTS.
CHAPTER LXII.
PAGE.
Some of Heber's Family History A Patriarchal Household
Names of his Wives and Children Episode of Abram A.
Kimball Peter, the Child of Promise Heber at Family
Prayers David H. Kimball's Story ileberP. and Solomon
F. Kimball in the Black Hawk War 429
CHAPTER LXIII.
Anecdotes and Reminiscences of Heber C. Kimball The Man as
Others Knew him Golden Grains from the Sands of
Memory 442
CHAPTER LXIV.
Gems from the Words of Heber Spirit Rappings Address at
the Funeral of Mary Fielding Smith Love, Unity and
the Courage of the Righteous Joseph and the Keys of the
Kingdom Cultivation of Spirits Heaven and Hell
Administration of Angels and the Spirits of the Ancients
The Resurrection The Spirit World The Clay and the
Potter A Cause of Apostasy A Miraculous Cane The
Church in Heaven 466
CHAPTER LXV.
Gems from Heber's Words Continued His Striking View of
Time and Eternity His Words and Works at the Last Con-
ference Preceding his Death His Last Sermon 478
CHAPTER LXVI.
Death of Vilate, the Wife of Heber's Youth President Brigham
Young Preaches her Funeral Sermon His Feeling Tribute
to her Memory Heber Prophesies of his Own Death . . 482
CHAPTER LXVII.
Death of Apostle Kimball All Israel Mourns Expressions in
Honor of the Illustrious Dead 485
CHAPTER LXVIII.
Obsequies of President Kimball Tributes and Testimonies of
his Brother Apostles " He was a man of as Much Integrity
as Any Man who Ever Lived " Earth Returns to Earth and
the Spirit Unto God Who Gave it 491
APPENDIX.
A Glimpse of the Great Beyond Thrilling Experience of David
Patten Kimball Lost in the Desert Communing with the
Spirits of the Departed David Predicts his own Death and
the Death of Four Others The Fulfillment . . . . . . 511
CHAPTER I.
A PRE-EXISTENT GLIMPSE GOD's NOBLE AND GREAT ONES
HEBER C. KIMBALL A PREDESTINED PROPHET OPENING
OF THE LAST DISPENSATION HEBER\S BIRTH AND PAR-
ENTAGE EARLY INCIDENTS OF HIS LIFE CLOUDS AND
SUNSHINE.
MEN like Heber C. Kimball are not accidents. They
are emphatically and in the truest sense, children of des-
tiny. If we seek their origin, and would know their
truth, we must not halt beside the humble cradle which
"lulled their infant cares to rest." We must rise on
spirit wings above the mists and vapors of mortality, and
survey them in the light of an eternal existence, a life
without beginning or end. Says one of old :
"Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the
intelligences that were organized before the world was ;
and among all these there were many of the noble and
great ones ; and God saw these souls that they were
good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said,
'These I will make my rulers' ; for he stood among those
that were spirits, and he saw that they were good, and
he said unto me, Abraham, thou art one of them, thou
wast chosen before thou wast born."
Again, unto Jeremiah:
"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee ; and
before thou earnest forth out of the womb I sanctified
thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
What is true in this respect of ancient prophets, is
true also of modern prophets, for verily are their origin,
their mission and their destiny the same.
1 8 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
It devolved upon the subject of this writing to come
forth at a time which has no parallel in all the ages of the
past. The day of God's power and of Zion's glory was
about to dawn. The Sun that set in blood behind
Judea's hills was soon to rise o'er Zion's mountain-tops
and flood the world with light. The latter-day dispensa-
tion was opening. All things in Christ were to be gath-
ered in one. The curtain of history had risen on the last
act of the tragedy of Time.
Would God leave the world without "great and noble
ones" at such an hour?
Heber Chase Kimball was born into this life June
1 4th, T 80 1. The same soil produced him that in colonial
times brought forth an Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticon-
deroga, and in later years the wondrous twain of spirits
known to the world as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
A far greater work than the capture of a British for-
tress was in the future of this Mormon triad of "Green
Mountain boys," who went forth "in the name of the
great Jehovah" to invade the strongholds of Satan, and
plant the banner of gospel truth above the ramparts of
his conquered citadels.
Heber's birthplace was the town of Sheldon, Frank-
lin County, Vermont, ten miles from the shores of Lake
Champlain. He was the fourth child and second son in
a family of seven, the order of whose birth was as fol-
lows: Charles Spaulding, Eliza, Abigail, Heber Chase,
Melvina, Solomon and Daniel Spaulding, the last named
of whom died in infancy. These were all born in Sheldon.
His father's name was Solomon Farnham Kimball, a
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 1 9
native of Massachusetts, where he was born in the year
1770. He was "a man of good moral character," and,
though he professed no religion, taught his children cor-
rect principles. His mother's maiden name was Anna
Spaulding ; she was a strict Presbyterian, lived a virtuous
life, and, according to her best knowledge, reared her
family in the ways of righteousness. She was the
daughter of Daniel and Speedy Spaulding, and was born
in Plainfield, New Hampshire, on the banks of the Con-
necticut river.
The Kimballs were of Scotch descent, their ancient
name, it is believed, being Campbell. Heber's grand-
father and a brother came from England, in time to assist
in gaining the independence of the colonies. In America
his ancestors and those of the Prophet Joseph Smith were
related by marriage.
Heber derived his given name from a Judge Chase,
of Massachusetts, by whom his father was reared from a
boy, and who chanced to visit his former protege soon
after his son was born. The judge himself proposed the
christening, and the parents being nothing loth, Heber
Chase Kimball became the infant's name.
This Judge Chase, though presumably " learned in
the law," like many of his class in those primitive, com-
mon sense days was not above following the humbler
pursuits of life. He was a blacksmith, and taught Heber's
father that trade, and when he had married, helped him
to establish his smithy in the town of Sheldon.
"At the close of the Revolutionary War," says
Heber, " my father was thirteen years old, and I can
remember his rehearsing to me some of the scenes of
the war.
" He was captain of a company of militia in Sheldon,
and wore a cocked hat of the old English style, a straight-
2O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
bodied coat, and short breeches with a knee buckle, long
stockings, and Suwarrow boots with a pair of tassels.
1 'He was partly bald, had dark-brown hair, blue eyes,
sandy whiskers and light complexion ; he was five feet,
eleven inches high, and weighed two hundred pounds
and upwards.
"He engaged in farming and clearing land, burning
the wood into coal and ashes ; he had also a forge and
trip-hammer, in the manufacture of wrought iron.
"About the time of the embargo, before the last war
with England, my father lost his property, as it was
invested in salts, potash and pearlash; the embargo,
having shut down the gate of commerce between the
United States and England, left his property in his hands
without much value."
In February, 1 8 1 1 , the Kimballs migrated from Ver-
mont, and settled in West Bloomfield, Ontario County,
New York, five hundred miles from their former home,
where the head of the family reengaged in his occupa-
tions of farmer and blacksmith, to which he now added
that of builder. He was aided in his new venture by
Judge Towsley, of Scipio, Cayuga County, who had
employed him for several months as foreman in a black-
smith shop.
Heber thus describes the journey from Sheldon to
West Bloomfield, with incidents of their subsequent
experience in that then new country :
u My father took my mother and six children in a
sleigh, with one span of horses, a change of clothing for
each of us, and some blankets to wrap us in ; when we
reached St. Albans, my father bought each of his boys a
hat, which was the first hat I ever had on my head. We
traveled on Lake Champlain, on the ice, and the wind
being very high, my hat was blown off and lost.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 21
" We traveled on the ice up to Whitehall, a distance
of one hundred and ten miles, where, spring being open,
he traded his sleigh for a wagon and proceeded to West
Bloomfield.
" He built an academy in West Bloomfield, also two
tavern stands and several private dwellings ; he made
nearly all of the edge tools, such as scythes, augers, axes,
knives, etc., also plow-shares and agricultural implements,
for the country around, to a distance of fifty or sixty
miles ; and sometimes he had eight forges employed at
once.
"He continued living in West Bloomfield during the
last war' with England, which place was on the thorough-
fare between Albany and Buffalo, on what was called
'the public turnpike,' and on which the soldiery passed
during the war (1812-15). It was flourishing times,
there being plenty of business and money, and most
men in business became involved, so that when the
war closed bankruptcy became common, as every mer-
chant, tavern-keeper and grog-shop had a banking estab-
lishment, and issued 'shin-plasters' from one cent up to
five dollars.
"My father lost the greater portion of his property,
which broke him up in that place. He then moved two
and one-half miles east, half way between East and West
Bloomfield, where he bought a farm of a Mr. Stewart,
near a small lake called Stewart's Pond ; on this farm
there was a little improvement. Here he established
blacksmithing, built a large tavern stand, barns and other
out-houses, and once more set out an orchard of various
kinds of fruit trees.
"This was in the year 1816, which was called the
cold season ; the same year that the black spot was seen
on the sun. The following year we had little to subsist
22 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
upon ; for some three weeks we gathered milk weeds,
and boiled and ate them, not having salt to put on them.
It was with difficulty that bread could be procured."
Evidently the elder Kimball was a man of force
and energy, qualities which his son Heber inherited, and
in turn transmitted to his posterity. The Kimballs, with
scarcely an exception, are, in this respect, of just such
sterling stuff as their sire and grandsire, and invariably
"show the, mettle of their pasture," as colonizers, wher-
ever their lot is cast.
The limited amount of schooling that Heber received
in these days of his childhood and early youth, extended
from his fifth to his fourteenth year, and was of the qual-
ity usually found in the primitive village schools of the
day. He was not an ardent lover of books, but drew
his lessons from life and nature in all their multiplied
and varied phases. It was "about the time of the great
eclipse in 1806" that he commenced going to school.
The eclipse he " remembered well," as his father was
about starting on a journey, but was obliged to wait on
account of the darkness.
At the age of fourteen he was put to work in his
father's blacksmith shop, and acquired a knowledge of
that useful trade. When he was nineteen, his father hav-
ing met with further reverses, he was thrown entirely
upon his own resources, and now began to taste the first
bitter experience of his life.
He was a singular compound, in his nature, of cour-
age and timidity, of weakness and strength ; uniting a
penchant for mirth with a proneness to melancholy, and
blending the lion-like qualities of a leader among men,
with the bashfulness and lamb-like simplicity of a
child.
He was not a coward ; a braver man probably never
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 23
lived than Heber C. Kimball. His courage, however,
was not of that questionable kind which ' 'knows no fear."
Rather was it of that superior order, that Christ-like
bravery, which feels danger and yet dares to face it. He
had all the sensitiveness of the poet for he was both a
poet and a prophet from his mother's womb and inher-
ited by birthright the power to feel pleasure or suffer
pain, in all its exquisiteness and intensity.
Hear his own pathetic story of his early hardships :
"At this time, I saw some days of sorrow; my heart
was troubled, and I suffered much in consequence of fear,
bashfulness and timidity. I found myself cast abroad
upon the world, without a friend to console my grief. In
these heart-aching hours I suffered much for want of
food and the comforts of life, and many times went two
or three days without food to eat, being bashful and not
daring to ask for it.
"After I had spent several weeks in the manner
before stated, my oldest brother, Charles, hearing of my
condition, offered to teach me the potter's trade. I
immediately accepted the offer, and continued with him
until I was twenty-one.
"While living with my brother, he moved into the
town of Mendon, Monroe County, New York, six miles
north of Bloomfield, towards the city of Rochester,
where he again established the potter's business."
Here Heber finished learning his trade and com-
menced working for wages. Six months later he pur-
chased his brother's business and set up in the same line
for himself, in which he prospered for upwards of ten
years.
CHAPTER II.
A ROMANTIC EPISODE HEBER's MARRIAGE WITH VILATE MUR-
RAY A SOLDIER AND A FREE MASON HIS STERN
ARRAIGNMENT OF THE ANCIENT ORDER DEATH OF
HEBER'S FATHER AND MOTHER.
MEANWHILE, the sun of love dawned on his horizon.
In one of his rides he chanced to pass, one warm sum-
mer day, through the little town of Victor, in the neigh-
boring County of Ontario. Being thirsty, he drew rein
near a house where a gentleman was at work in the yard,
whom he asked for a drink of water. As the one
addressed went to the well for a fresh bucketful of the
cooling liquid, he called to his daughter Vilate, to fetch a
glass from the house, which he filled and sent by her to
the young stranger.
Heber was deeply impressed with the beauty and
refined modesty of the young girl, whose name he under-
stood to be "Milaty," and who was the flower and pet
of her father's family. Lingering as long as propriety
would permit, or the glass of water would hold out, he
murmured his thanks and rode reluctantly away.
How suggestive this incident, of Whittier's pretty
tale, " Maud Muller:"
"Thanks! " said the Judge, "a sweeter draught
From a fairer hand was never quaffed."
It was not long before he again had "business" in
Victor, and again became thirsty (?) just opposite the
house where the young lady lived. Seeing the same
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 25
gentleman in the yard whom he had accosted before, he
hailed him and asked him for a cup of water. This time
the owner of the premises offered to wait upon him in
person, but Heber, with the blunt candor for which he
was noted, nearly took the old gentleman's breath by
saying: "If you please, sir, I'd rather My-Laty would
bring it to me."
"Laty," as she was called in the household, accord-
ingly appeared and did the honors as before, and
returned blushing to meet the merriment and good-na-
tured badinage of her sister and brothers.
She, however, was quite as favorably impressed with
the handsome young stranger, as he with her. More
visits followed, acquaintance ripened into love, and on
the 7th of November, 1822, they were married.
Vilate Murray for that was her name was the
youngest child of Roswell and Susannah Murray. She
was born June ist, 1806, in Florida, Montgomery County,
New York. At the time of her marriage she was only
in her seventeenth year.
The Murrays, like the Kimballs, were of Scotch
descent, and came to America during the Seven Years'
War. As a race they were gentle, kind-hearted, intelli-
gent and refined. Through many of them ran a vein of
poetry. Vilate herself wrote tender and beautiful verses.
She was an ideal wife for a man like Heber C. Kimball,
by whom she was ever cherished as the treasure that she
was.
Heber was now past twenty-one, and fast developing
into as fine a specimen of manhood as one might wish to
behold. Tall and powerful of frame, with piercing black
eyes that seemed to read one through, and before whose
searching gaze the guilty could not choose but quail, he
moved with a stateliness and majesty all his own, as far
26 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
removed from haughtiness and vain pride, as he from the
sphere of the upstart who mistakes scorn for dignity, and
an overbearing manner as an evidence of gentle blood.
Heber C. Kimball was a humble man, and in his
humility, no less than his kingly stature, consisted his
dignity, and no small share of his greatness. It was his
intelligence, earnestness, simplicity, sublime faith and
unwavering integrity to principle that made him great,
not the apparel he wore, nor the mortal clay in which his
spirit was clothed. Nevertheless, nature had given him
a noble presence in the flesh, worthy the godlike stature
of his spirit.
"A combination and a form, indeed,
Where every God did seem to set his seal
To give the world assurance of a man."
The son and grandson of a soldier, he had early
enrolled in. an independent horse company of the New
York State militia. Under Captain Sawyer, of East
Bloomfield, and his successor in command, he trained
fourteen years ; one year more would have exempted
him from further military service. He remarks, with hon-
est pride, that he was never brought before a court mar-
tial or found delinquent in his duty.
Heber was also a Free Mason. In 1823 he received
the first three degrees of masonry in the lodge at Victor.
The year following, himself and five others petitioned the
chapter at Canandaigua, the county seat of Ontario
County, for the degrees up to the Royal Arch. The peti-
tion was favorably considered, but before it could be
acted upon the Morgan anti-mason riot broke out, and
the Masonic Hall, where the chapter met, was burned
by the mob and all the records consumed.
Says Heber, "There are thousands of Masons who
lived in those days, who are well aware of the persecution
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 2 7
and unjust proceedings which were heaped upon them
by the anti-Masons; not as many as three of us could
meet together, unless in secret, without being mobbed.
"I have been as true as an angel from the heavens
to the covenants I made in the lodge at Victor.
" No man was admitted into a lodge in those days
except he bore a good moral character, and was a man
of steady habits ; and a man would be suspended for
getting drunk, or any other immoral conduct. I wish
that all men were masons and would live up to their pro-
fession ; then the world would be in a much better state
than it is now."
Commenting on the degeneracy of the Ancient
Order the old, old story of the persecuted becoming
persecutors he continues:
"I have been driven from my houses and posses-
sions, with many of my brethren belonging to that fra-
ternity, five times, by mobs led by some of their leading
men. Hyrum Smith received the first three degrees of
masonry in Ontario County, New York. Joseph and
Hyrum Smith were Master Masons, yet they were mas-
sacred through the instrumentality of some of the leading
men of that fraternity, and not one soul of them has ever
stepped forth to administer help to me or my brethren
belonging to the Masonic Institution, or to render us
assistance, although bound under the strongest obliga-
tions to be true and faithful to each other in every case
and under every circumstance, the commission of crime
excepted."
Yes, Masons, it is said, were even among the mob
that murdered Joseph and Hyrum in Carthage Jail. Jos-
eph, leaping the fatal window, gave the masonic signal
of distress. The answer was the roar of his murderers'
muskets and the deadly balls that pierced his heart.
28 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
Heber continued to prosper in business, working
in his pottery in summer, and at his forge in winter. He
purchased land, built houses, planted orchards, and other-
wise " situated himself to live comfortably."
In the spring of 1825, he gave his father a home
with him in Mendon. The old gentleman was now a
widower, his wife, Heber' s mother, having died in Feb-
ruary, 1824, at West Bloomfield, of consumption. Her
husband survived her a little over a twelve-month, when
he, too, fell a victim to the same malady.
It is a coincidence worthy of note that the deaths
of Heber and Vilate were also about one year apart, she
passing away first, and he, like his father, following soon
the footsteps of his beloved partner to the spirit land.
We have traced his life's record through its initial
stages. He was now fairly on the threshold of his
remarkable career.
CHAPTER III.
HEBER'S POETIC NATURE A ROUGH DIAMOND EARLY RELIG-
IOUS EXPERIENCE JOINS THE BAPTIST CHURCH
" SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE" HEBER C. KIMBALL
AND BRIGHAM YOUNG THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL.
Heber's temperament was religious and poetical.
Sociable as he was, and even bubbling over with mirth,
at times, his soul was essentially of a solemn cast. He
loved solitude, not with the selfish spirit of the misan-
thrope, but for the opportunities it gave of communing
with his own thoughts a pleasure that only poet minds
truly feel and of listening to the voice of God and
nature, expressed in all the countless and varied forms
of life.
He was capable of sensing fully though probably
he had never seen or heard those sublime words of the
poet:
" There is a pleasure in the pathless woods ;
There is a rapture on the lonely shore;
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar.
I love not man the less, but nature more,
From these our interviews ; in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the universe and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal."
True, he was a diamond in the rough, but a diamond,
nevertheless, for all of its incrustations. Unlettered and
untaught, save in nature's school, the university of
experience, where he was an apt and profound scholar, he
3O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
was possessed of marvelous intuition, a genius God-
given, which needed no kindling at a college shrine to
prepare it for the work which providence had designed.
Not but that education would have polished the gem,
causing it to shine with what the natural eye would deem
a brighter lustre ; but the fact remains that Heber C.
Kimball, as he was, not as he might have been, was best
adapted for the divine purpose, the career marked out for
him by the finger of Deity.
It is not strange that a nature of this kind, solemn,
thoughtful and inspirational, should have been led early
to seek "an anchor for the soul," a knowledge of the
truth as it is in Christ Jesus. But his search for many
years was in vain ; he found not among the sects of
Christendom the precious pearl which an honest soul
will sell all that it hath to obtain.
"From the time I was twelve years old," says' he, "I
had many serious thoughts and strong desires to obtain
a knowledge of salvation, but not finding anyone who
could teach me the things of God, I did not embrace any
principles of doctrine, but endeavored to live a moral
life. The priests would tell me to believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ, but never would tell me what to do to be
saved, and thus left me almost in despair.
"During the time I lived in Mendon, I mostly at-
tended the meetings of the Baptist church, and was often
invited to unite myself with them. I received many
pressing invitations to unite with different sects, but did
not see fit to comply with their desires, until a revival
took place in our neighborhood. I had passed through
several of their protracted meetings and had been many
times upon the anxious bench to seek relief from the
'bands of sin and death.' But no relief could I find until
the meetings were passed by.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 31
"At this time I concluded to put myself under the
watch-care of the Baptist church and unite myself to
them ; as soon as I had concluded to do this, the Lord
administered peace to my mind, and accordingly, the
next day I went, in company with my wife, and we were
baptized by Elder Elijah Weaver ; and we partook of the
sacrament on that day for the first and also the last time
with them."
Such was his initiation into religion, as pertaining to
a Christian sectarian church. Though not in accord with
the Baptist faith in all its teachings, it seemed to him
to be nearest right according to the Bible ; probably
from the stress laid upon baptism by immersion, mani-
festly the Bible mode, and the only true way of being
"born of the water." Besides, he deemed it wise to put
a "guard" upon himself, to "keep him from running into
evils."
The peace of mind that he experienced, as the sanc-
tion of the Holy One upon a prudent and conscientious
act, was but the prelude and prophecy of far greater
things to follow. The heavens were bestirring them-
selves. The invisible world was up in arms. Truth and
Error were taking the field. The latter-day conflict had
begun. The signs of the coming of the Son of Man
were showing themselves in the heavens.
It was the eventful night of September 22nd, 1827.
Says Heber C. Kimball :
"I had retired to bed, when John P. Greene, who
was living within a hundred steps of my house, came and
waked me up, calling upon me to come out and behold
the scenery in the heavens. I woke up and called my
wife and Sister Fanny Young (sister to Brigham Young),
who was living with us, and we went out-of-doors.
"It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights,
32 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
so clear that we could see to pick up a pin. We looked
to the eastern horizon, and beheld a white smoke arise
toward the heavens ; as it ascended it formed itself into a
belt, and made a noise like the sound of a mighty wind,
and continued southwest, forming a regular bow dipping
in the western horizon. After the bow had formed, it
began to widen out and grow clear and transparent, of a
bluish cast ; it grew wide enough to contain twelve men
abreast.
"In this bow an army moved, commencing from the
east and marching to the west ; they continued marching
until they reached the western horizon. They moved in
platoons, and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in
the steps of their file leaders, until the whole bow was
literally crowded with soldiers. We could distinctly see
the muskets, bayonets and knapsacks of the men, who
wore caps and feathers like those used by the American
soldiers in the last war with Britain ; and also saw their
officers with their swords and equipage, and the clashing
and jingling of their implements of war, and could dis-
cover the forms and features of the men. The most
profound order existed throughout the entire army ; when
the foremost man stepped, every man stepped at the same
time ; I could hear the steps. When the front rank
reached the western horizon a battle ensued, as we could
distinctly hear the report of arms and the rush.
"No man could judge of my feelings when I beheld
that army of men, as plainly as ever I saw armies of men
in the flesh ; it seemed as though every hair of my head
was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until
it began to disappear.
"After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I
learned that this took place the same evening that Joseph
Smith received the records of the Book of Mormon from
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 33
the angel Moroni, who had held those records in his pos-
session.
"John Young, sen., and John P. Greene's wife,
Rhoda, were also witnesses.
"My wife, being frightened at what she saw, said,
' Father Young, what does all this mean ? '
"'Why, it's one of the signs of the coming of the
Son of Man/ he replied, in a lively, pleased manner.
"The next night similar scenery was beheld in the
west by the neighbors, representing armies of men who
were engaged in battle."
A wonderful foreshadowing, truly, of the warfare to
be waged between the powers of good and evil, from
the time Truth sprang from earth and Righteous-
ness looked down from heaven upon the boy Joseph,
predestined to bring to light the buried records of the past.
In Mendon began the intimacy and friendship of
Heber C. Kimball with his life-long colleague, Brigham
Young. The Youngs and Greenes, like the Kimballs,
were from Vermont, and had moved into Mendon a few
months prior to the event just related. In religion they
were Reformed Methodists, but, being in lowly circum-
stances, were looked down upon by the proud members
of the flourishing church to which they belonged. They
had suffered greatly from sickness, and had seen much
sorrow and affliction.
Heber's generous heart and that of his noble wife
were touched with sympathy and compassion for their
situation. Says he: "To them my heart was united, be-
cause a principle had existed in my breast from earliest
childhood, to plead the cause of suffering innocence, to
go on the side of the oppressed at all times ; neither do
I remember to have ever varied from this fixed principle
at any time in my life ; I have many times turned aside
34 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
from the company of those who were highly esteemed in
the world, and sought the society of the poor and hum-
ble, those who loved the ways of the Lord better than
the praise of the world."
He found in these families, which were related, con-
genial associates, for they too were seekers after truth,
and truth they were all destined, ere many days, to find.
Sometime in the fall or winter of 1831, about three
weeks after Heber and his wife had joined the Baptist
church, five Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints came from Pennsylvania to Victor, five
miles from Mendon, and tarried at the house of Phineas
H. Young. They were Eleazer Miller, Elial Strong,
Alpheus Gifford, Enos Curtis and Daniel Bowen. Hear-
ing of these men, Heber was prompted by curiosity to
visit them, "when," says he, "for the first time I heard
the fullness of the everlasting gospel."
The glorious news of a restored gospel and a living
priesthood, commissioned of and communicating with the
heavens ; the promise of the Holy Ghost with signs fol-
lowing the believer, as in days of old; the wondrous
declaration of angels revisiting the earth, breaking the
silence of ages, bringing messages from another world ;
all this fell upon the heart of this God-fearing man,
and on the hearts of his friends and companions, like
dew upon thirsty ground. As the voice of a familiar
spirit, it seemed an echo from the far past something
they had known before.
To hear, with Heber, was to believe. He was con-
vinced that they taught the truth, and was constrained to
receive their testimony. He saw, more clearly than ever,
that he had embraced but a portion of the truth in the
Baptist faith ; that the creeds of Christendom, the relig-
ions of the world, were but remnants of the everlasting
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 35
gospel, broken off fragments of that grand Rock of Ages,
the same in all generations ; mixtures of truth and error ;
lesser lights at best in the broad firmament of human
faith ; and that now, when the Sun had once more arisen,
the stars that lit the night must pale away.
Both Heber and Brigham received the word gladly,
and were impelled to testify of its divinity. Then the
power of God fell upon them.
"On one occasion," says Heber, "Father John
Young, Brigham Young, Joseph Young and myself had
come together to get up some wood for Phineas H.
Young. While we were thus engaged we were ponder-
ing upon those things which had been told us by the
Elders, and upon the saints gathering to Zion, when the
glory of God shone upon us, and we saw the gathering
of the saints to Zion, and the glory that would rest upon
them ; and many more things connected with that great
event, such as the sufferings and persecutions that would
come upon the people of God, and the calamities and
judgments that would come upon the world.
"These things caused such great joy to spring up in
our bosoms that we were hardly able to contain our-
selves, and we did shout aloud * Hosannah to God and
the Lamb."'
This heavenly vision, vouchsafed as the reward of
faith and pure desires, only made them eager to know
more of the "marvelous work and wonder" which the God
of Israel had set His hand to perform, in fulfillment of the
words of His ancient prophets. The Holy Ghost had
fallen upon them, as on Cornelius of old, before baptism.
They had plucked from the Tree of Life, from branches
overhanging the wall, luscious fruit, whose sweetness and
flavor made them long to enter the garden and more
fully satisfy the desire of their souls.
36 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
Heber, accordingly, proposed a journey to Pennsyl-
vania, the state from whence the Elders came, where
several branches of the Church were established. It was
winter; January, 1832. Putting his horses to the sleigh,
he and his companions set off upon the journey, a dis-
tance of one hundred and twenty-five miles. The party
consisted of Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young, Phineas
Young and the wives of the two latter. The branch they
visited was in Columbia, Bradford County; that from
which the Elders came, in Rutland, Tioga County.
They tarried about six days, attending the meetings
of the Church, witnessing the manifestations of the gifts
of the spirit, such as speaking in tongues, interpretations
and prophecy, and learning more of the nature and mis-
sion of the great latter-day work. They returned home
rejoicing, praising God, and bearing testimony by the
way.
CHAPTER IV.
HEBER EMBRACES MORMONISM A BAPTISM OF FIRE DEATH
OF MIRIAM YOUNG VILATE KIMBALL A MOTHER TO
THE ORPHANS HEBER ORDAINED AN ELDER RESOLVES
TO VISIT KIRTLAND.
HEBER, be it remembered, was a potter, and, though
fairly well-to-do in the world, continued to labor at his
trade for a livelihood.
One day in April, of the spring following his visit to
Pennsylvania, as he was working in his shop, in the act
of forming a vessel on the wheel, Alpheus Giftord
entered. This Elder was then on his second mission to
those parts, in company with others of his brethren. The
conversation turning on the subject of the gospel, Heber
said: ''Brother Alpheus, I am ready to go forward and
be baptized."
What followed is thus graphically told. Says Heber:
"I arose, pulled off my apron, washed my hands and
started with him, with my sleeves rolled up to my
shoulders, and went a distance, of one mile, where he
baptized me in a small stream in the woods. After I was
baptized I kneeled down and he laid his hands upon my
head and confirmed me a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ, and said unto me, 'In the name of Jesus Christ,
and by the authority of the holy Priesthood, receive ye
the Holy Ghost ; ' and before I got up off my knees he
wanted to ordain me an Elder ; but I plead with him not
to do it, for I felt myself unworthy of such a calling, and
such an office."
38 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
This event, so important to Heber C. Kimball and
his posterity, took place on Monday, the fifteenth of
April, 1832. Brigham Young had been baptized the day
before, by Elder Eleazer Miller. Two weeks later,
Heber' s wife, Vilate, was baptized by Joseph Young.
A branch was raised up in Mendon numbering over
thirty souls ; its members were as follows :
John Young, sen., and Mary his wife,
Brigham Young and Miriam his wife,
Phineas H. Youngf and Clarissa his wife,
o
Joseph Young,
Lorenzo D. Young and Persis his wife,
John P. Greene and Rhoda his wife and their children,
Joel Sanford and Louisa his wife,
William Stillson and Susan his wife,
Fanny Young,
Isaac Flummerfelt, wife and children,
Ira Bond and his wife Charlotte,
Heber C. Kimball and Vilate his wife,
Rufus Parks,
John Morton and Betsey his wife,
Nathan Tomlinson and his wife,
Israel Barlow with his mother, brothers and sisters.
The reception of the Holy Ghost was to Heber a
veritable "baptism of fire." He thus describes his
remarkable experience ;
"Under the ordinances of baptism and the laying
on of hands, I received the Holy Ghost, as the disciples
did in ancient days, which was like a consuming fire. I
felt as though I sat at the feet of Jesus, and was clothed
in my right mind, although the people called me crazy.
"I continued in this way for many months, and it
seemed as though my body would consume away ; at the
same time the scriptures were unfolded to my mind in
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 39
such a wonderful manner that it appeared to me, at
times, as if I had formerly been familiar with them.'-'
Thus did the Comforter, the spirit of truth, bringing
things past to remembrance and showing things to come,
move upon the heart of this "mighty man of valor,"
whom the Lord was raising up for a marvelous future
work. One of the weak things of earth, through whom
the Omnipotent would yet thresh the nations by the
power of His Spirit.
The branch in Mendon began to flourish, and the
gifts of the spirit were poured out upon its members.
This branch is reputed to have been the second in the
Church to receive the gift of tongues ; one of the
branches in Pennsylvania being the first in which that gift
was manifested.
Such a pentecostal renewal could scarcely take place
without a corresponding movement of opposition on the
part of the powers of darkness. The inevitable was at
hand. Satan commenced to rage, and the Saints were
annoyed and persecuted. Heber's former friends turned
against him. His creditors combined to push him to the
wall. During one week five or six executions were taken
out against him. His brother Solomon was the only one
outside the Church, willing to lend him a helping hand
in his financial troubles, resulting from the inimical
actions of his neighbors and old-time associates. His
brother Charles, who had formerly befriended him, was
dead. But the Lord opened his way, much to the cha-
grin of his persecutors, and he obtained money to meet
his liabilities, so that none of his property was sold at
auction.
In September following the organization of the
branch in Mendon, Brigham Young's wife, Miriam, died.
She had been feeble for months, but in her expiring
4-O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
moments, filled with a supernatural vitality, she clapped
her hands and praised God, calling upon all around to
join her in so doing. She continued in this happy state
until she breathed her last, moving her lips in prayer
when her voice could no longer be heard. Heber
remarks that the death-bed scene of this zealous and
devoted Saint was to him another testimony of the truth
and power of the everlasting gospel. Vilate Kimball
took charge of Miriam's two little daughters, and, thence-
forth, until after they removed from Mendon, the families
of Brigham and Heber were as one.
In the meantime, the latter had been ordained an
Elder, under the hands of Joseph Young, and labored
with him and Brigham in the ministry. They visited
Genesee, Avon and Lyonstown, baptizing many and
building up branches of the Church. The following
incident, related by Heber, shows how powerfully the
Holy Ghost wrought through him in his ministrations :
"Brother Ezra Landon preached in Avon and Gen-
esee, baptized eighteen or twenty, and being afraid to
confirm them and promise the Holy Ghost, he requested
me to confirm them, which I did according to the best of
my knowledge, pronouncing but a few words on the
head of each one, and invariably saying, 'receive ye the
Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus Christ. ' Immediately
the Holy Ghost fell upon them, and several commenced
speaking in tongues before they arose from their knees,
and we had a joyful time. Some ten or twelve spoke in
tongues, neither of whom had ever heard any person
speak in tongues before, they being the first baptized in
that place."
The region in which he was laboring is thus interest-
ingly described :
"From the time Father Bosley located near Avon,
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 4!
he found and plowed up axes and irons, and had suffic-
ient to make his mill irons, and had always abundance of
iron on hand without purchasing. .
"In the towns of Bloomfield, Victor, Manchester,
and in the regions round about, there were hills upon the
tops of which were entrenchments and fortifications, and
in them were human bones, axes, tomahawks, points of
arrows, beads and pipes, which were frequently found ;
and it was a common occurrence in the country to plow
up axes, which I have done many times myself.
"I have visited the fortifications on the tops of those
hills frequently, and the one near Bloomfield I have
crossed hundreds of times, which is on the bluff of Hon-
eyoye River, at the outlet of Honeyoye Lake.
"In that region there are many small deep lakes,
and in some of them the bottom has never been found.
Fish abound in them.
"The hill Cumorah is a high hill for that country,
and had the appearance of a fortification or entrench-
ment around it. In the State of New York, probably
there are hundreds of these fortifications which are now
visible, and I have seen them in many other parts of the
United States."
Readers of the Book of Mormon will remember
that in this very region, according to that sacred record,
the final battles were fought between the Nephites and
Lamanites. At the hill Cumorah, the Nephites made
their last stand prior to their utter extermination, A. D.,
385.
Thus was Heber preaching the Gospel to the Gen-
tiles, above the graves of the ancients of Israel, whose
records with the fullness of that Gospel, and the relics of
their prowess and civilization, were now "whispering from
the dust."
42 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
But another scene was about to shift in his life's
drama. He had planned to visit Kirtland, the bosom of
the Church, and home of Joseph the Prophet.
CHAPTER V.
THE LAND OF SHINEHAH ARRIVAL OF HEBER AND BRIG-
HAM IN KIRTLAND THEIR FIRST MEETING WITH THE
PROPHET THE KIMBALLS AND YOUNGS REMOVE TO
OHIO VEXATIOUS SUITS AND MOB VIOLENCE FALLEN
ON PERILOUS TIMES.
KIRTLAND, at the time arrived at in our narrative, was
the head-quarters of the Church of Jesus Christ^of Latter-
day Saints. The home of the Prophet of God and many
of the leading Elders of Israel, it was also the spot des-
ignated by revelation where the first temple was to be
built in this dispensation.
The Church, organized at Fayette, Seneca County,
New York, on the 6th of April, 1830, had entered on the
third year of its existence, and the Saints throughout the
eastern parts had been commanded to gather westward.
Kirtland and its vicinity, or "the land of Shinehah," as
it is named in revelation, had been settled as a stake of
Zion since early in 1831, and from there, in the summer
of the same year, had gone forth a colony of Saints to
purchase and occupy "the land of Zion," in the western
confines of Missouri. That region was then the nation's
frontier, bordering on a wilderness inhabited by wild
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 43
beasts and savages, and but sparsely peopled itself by
whites scarcely less ignorant and cruel.
The Gospel, preached by the first missionaries sent
westward from New York, in October, 1830, had taken
a firm hold among the honest-in-heart of Northern Ohio.
Among those who had embraced the new faith new,
indeed, and wonderful to that generation were Sidney
Rigdon, Edward Partridge and Newel K.Whitney. The
Pratts, the Whitmers, and other noted families were
already numbered among the followers of the "Mormon"
Prophet, and it was Parley P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery and
other Elders who had first brought the Gospel to Kirtland.
The new branch throve so rapidly as to soon eclipse
in importance all others; an event no doubt divinely
ordered, as the Saints at large, in December, 1830, were
commanded to ''assemble together at the Ohio."
Late in October, or early in November, 1832, Heber
C. Kimball, in company with Brigham and Joseph
Young, arrived in Kirtland. They had traveled by team
a distance of three hundred miles. Their first meeting
with the Prophet, whom they had come so far to see, was
on the 8th day of November. Joseph was felling trees
in the forest when the party approached. It is related
that, on seeing Brigham, he said; "There is a man who
will yet preside over this Church."
As to Heber, the heart of Joseph was at once knit
with his, in friendship like unto that of David and Jona-
than ; and this feeling of brotherly love, like a golden
chain, uniting these two noble souls, was destined to
endure unbroken through time and eternity.
Says Heber: "We saw brother Joseph Smith and had
a glorious time ; during which Brother Brigham spoke in
tongues before Joseph, this being the first time he had
heard anyone speak in tongues. He rose up and testi-
44 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
fied that the gift was from God, and then the gift fell
upon him and he spoke in tongues himself. He after-
wards declared it was the pure, or Adamic language that
he spoke. Soon after this the gift of tongues commenced
in the Church at Kirtland generally. We had a precious
season and returned with a blessing in our souls."
In the fall of 1833, Elder Kimball disposed of his
possessions in Mendon, and settled his affairs prepara-
tory to gathering to the bosom of the Church. He had
borne faithful testimony to the inhabitants of the place
which had been his home for so many years, but, with
few exceptions, they had turned a deaf ear to his warn-
ing words. Heber was the only one of his father's
household to embrace the Gospel. His brother Solomon,
though friendly, and at one time, like Agrippa, "almost
persuaded," did not come within the fold.
No sooner was Heber ready to start Zionward, than
he was again beset by petty persecutions. This time
they were not only malicious, but of an out and out dis-
lionest character. Notwithstanding he had settled all his
accounts, and paid every penny that he owed " unless
it was two cents to one man, in a case where change
could not be procured" and left debts owing to him,
uncollected, to the amount of "some hundred dollars,"
attachments were issued at the instance of some of his
neighbors, and his goods seized by officers of the law.
Rather than be delayed by a law-suit, in which,
owing to religious prejudice, he had little hope of
receiving fair treatment, he settled the unjust claims and
departed.
His family at this time consisted of himself and wife,
and their two children, William Henry and Helen Mar.
Judith Marvin, an elder daughter, and Roswell Heber, a
younger son the first and latest born of the household
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 45
had died. Brigham Young and his two little daughters
went in the same wagon with the Kimball family to Kirt-
land. They reached their destination about the last of
October, or early in November. They first occupied a
house belonging to Elijah Smith, uncle to the wife of
Bishop N. K. Whitney; but Heber soon had a home of
his own, which he continued to share with his friend and
brother Brigham, until the latter procured a separate
domicile.
It is an interesting fact that Brigham was the builder
of Heber's house in Kirtland, he being a carpenter and
joiner, as well as a painter and glazier.
1 'When I got to Kirtland," says Elder Kimball,
"the brethren were engaged in building the House of
the Lord. The commandment to build the House and
also the pattern of it, were given in a revelation to
Joseph Smith, jun., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G.
Williams, and it was to be erected by a stated time.
The Church was in a state of poverty and distress, in
conseqence of which it appeared almost impossible that
the commandment could be fulfilled. Soon after our
arrival, there was a contribution called for to finish the
school-house and printing office ; I contributed the glass
for the house, and I gave Brother Hyrum Smith two
hundred dollars for the building of the temple."
The newly arrived pilgrims had fallen on perilous
times. Mobocracy was rife and rampant ; persecution
was raging against the Church, both in Ohio and in
Missouri. The infernal regions seemed stirred to their
depths at the prospect of a temple, whose walls, now
climbing heavenward, gave promise of salvation and
deliverance for the living and the dead ; the unlocking of
prison doors, the bursting of spirit dungeons, the smiting
off of fetters from the limbs of the slave of sin, and the
46 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
ushering forth of the penitent captive into the life and
light of gospel liberty. Keys were about to be restored
whereby the heavens would be brought nearer to the
earth, the prophets of the past would minister in holy
places to the prophets of the present, and the cause of
human redemption receive such an impetus as would
shake the throne of Satan to its foundations. No won-
der the dominions of Sheol were agitated.
"Our enemies," says Heber, "were raging and
threatening destruction upon us. We had to guard
night after night, and for weeks were not permitted to
take off our clothes, and were obliged to lie with our
fire-locks in our arms, to preserve Brother Joseph's life
and our own. Joseph was sued before a magistrate's
court in Painesville, on a vexatious suit. I carried him
from Kirtland to Painesville, with four or five others, in
my wagon, every morning for five days, and brought
them back in the evening. We were often waylaid, but
managed to elude our enemies by rapid driving and tak-
ing different roads. Esquire Bissell defended the Prophet
and he came off victorious.
"At this time our brethren in Jackson County, Mis-
souri, were also suffering great persecution ; about twelve
hundred were driven, plundered and robbed, their houses
burned, and some of the brethren were killed.
"Mobs were organized around Kirtland, who were
enraged against us, ready to destroy us."
Such was the state of affairs with the Church of the
living God, at the close of the year 1833. Such was the
nature of the action upon which the hero of this history
had entered. But he was of the gold, not the dross of
the earth, and passed through the fire, purified, yet not
consumed.
CHAPTER VI.
THE GATHERING OF THE TITANS HEBER's TESTIMONY OF
JOSEPH AND THE TWELVE THEIR MIGHTY MISSION
THE TEST OF FAITH ZION's CAMP.
JOSEPH, Brigham and Heber together in Kirtland!
By what strange fatality were these mighty lives thus
interwoven ? We have seen how Brigham and Heber
came together, and how, from thenceforth, the currents
of their lives and fortunes ran parallel. Now they were
joined with Joseph, their prophet chief, like streams that
swell a river.
Interesting is it also, if only as a coincidence, that
so many of the leading spirits of the latter-day work
should have been natives of Vermont a diadem for
thee, proud State, and one whicji thou wilt prize in
coming time ! from whence scattered, ere acquaintance
with the Gospel or with each other began, to meet as
co-laborers in the same great cause, among the hills and
dales of Northern Ohio. As though the heavens had
decreed their lives should thus commingle.
And the heavens had so decreed. It was not
chance, it was destiny "shaping their ends," and fulfill-
ing her mission in their behalf. And though from the
ends of the earth what matter names or nativity? it
had been the same. "He that scattered Israel will
gather him." From all nations that fated blood, when
goes Jehovah's fiat forth, like the rain-drops sprinkled
upon the hills, must trickle back to the Ocean whence it
came.
48 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
It was a coalescing of divine affinities, the relinking
of a spirit chain, which, though it often part, is never
broken, and though seemingly divided, forever insepar-
able.
"Are you ever going to be prepared to see God,
Jesus Christ, His angels, or comprehend His servants,
unless you take a faithful and prayerful course?"
"Did you actually know Joseph Smith?"
The questions are Heber C. Kimball's, addressed in
later years to a congregation of the Saints.
"No," he answers for them, and continues :
"Do you know Brother Brigham? No."
'Do you know Brother Heber? No ; you do not."
" Do you know the Twelve ? You do not ; if you
did you would begin to know God, and learn that those
men who are chosen to direct and counsel you, are near
kindred to God and to Jesus Christ, for the keys, power
and authority of the kingdom of God are in that lineage,"
This, then, was the purpose, the divine intending, for
which they were nqw in conjunction ; "noble and great
ones," great in the heavens and great upon the earth,
ordained as "rulers" ere morning stars sang gladsome
greeting, or Sons of God shouted for joy around the cradle
of the infant world. This, the object of their descent from
celestial empires ; to build up a Kingdom unto God, and
prepare the world for the coming of Him "whose right
it is to reign." Jewels from Jehovah's diadem, diamonds
in the dust, unseen of saint or sinner in all their lustre,
concealed from a world unworthy of the light it could not
comprehend.
Had Heber' s inspired mind probed the secret of
Joseph's thought, expressed in his own oft-quoted words :
"Would to God, brethren, I could tell you who I am!"
As Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to the Church of
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 49
Jesus Christ, its president and earthly head, and holder
of the keys of the last dispensation, Joseph was already
in the high and holy office for which he was predestined
and fore-ordained. Not so, Brigham ; not so, Heber;
not so their apostolic compeers. A trial of their faith
was first necessary, a trial now near at hand, to prove
them worthy in the flesh of the great calling whereunto
they were called in the eternal councils.
In the month of February, 1834, came a command-
ment from the Almighty unto His prophet, to "gather
up the strength of His house," and "go up and redeem
Zion;" in other words, to recover from the hands of a
fierce and merciless mob the lands in Jackson County,
Missouri, from which the Saints had been driven.
Such were the origin and object of Zion's Camp.
Such, the nature of the perilous duty laid upon them.
CHAPTER VII.
THE REDEMPTION OF ZION ENOCH'S CITY TO RETURN
OBJECT OF THE UNITED ORDER CAUSE OF THE JACK-
SON COUNTY EXPULSION - - THE WHEAT FROM THE
CHAFF.
THE redemption of Zion ! The building of the new
Jerusalem !
Theme of the ancient prophets and glory of the
latter days !
Such was the sublime mission given to the Saints of
the Most High. Thus came the word of the Lord con-
cerning it, March, 1831 :
SO LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"Wherefore, I, the Lord, have said, gather ye out
from the eastern lands, assemble ye yourselves together
ye elders of my Church ; go ye forth into the western
countries ; * *
"And with one heart and with one mind, gather up
your riches that ye may purchase an inheritance which
shall hereafter be appointed unto you,
" And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land
of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the Saints
of the Most High God ;
"And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the
terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the
wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.
" And it shall come to pass, among the wicked, that
every man that will not take his sword against his neigh-
bor, must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
"And there shall be gathered unto it out of every
nation under heaven ; and it shall be the only people
that shall not be at war one with another.
"And it shall be said among the wicked, let us not
go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion
are terrible ; wherefore we cannot stand.
"And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall
be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come
to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy."
With this glorious object in view, this sublime motive
firing their souls and filling their hearts with holy zeal,
the Saints, in the summer of 1831, had commenced
gathering upon the land of Zion Jackson County,
Missouri, the chosen site of the great city and temple of
God. Their purpose, to fulfil prophecy, to found the
modern Zion, New Jerusalem, capital city of the king-
dom of God. A counterpart of the Zion of Enoch,
sanctified of old and taken into the heavens, to return in
latter times as a leaven of righteousness, to leaven
this lump of clay, the mother earth of our mortality,
and make it like unto itself, and in due time a glori-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 51
fied planet, purified, redeemed, and from sin forever
free.
To prepare the world for that supreme hour "when
the Lord shall bring" again Zion," was and is the mission
of the Saints of latter days. And this that the scripture
might be fulfilled, which says :
" The Lord hath brought down Zion from above.
"The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath.
" The earth hath travailed and brought forth her
strength :
"And truth is established in her bowels :
" And the heavens have smiled upon her :
"And she is clothed with the glory of her God:
" For he stands in the midst of his people."
The meeting of the Zions ! The marriage of the
worlds ! Zion from beneath, the type of truth from earth,
embracing Zion from above, the symbol of righteous-
ness from heaven.
" And they twain shall be one ! "
Preparatory to this miraculous event, and indeed to
render it possible, the order of Enoch, the system of
divine economy whereby the Zion of the ancients was
redeemed and sanctified, had been newly revealed to
the Zion-builders of the last days.
What says Moses of Enoch and his city ?
" And the Lord called his people Zion, because they
were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteous-
ness ; and there was no poor among them."
Oh, the sweetness of those simple words ! Oh, the
sublimity of the picture they portray ! Liberty, equality,
fraternity ! This is Zion THE PURE IN HEART !
But the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, were not
all that the Lord requires of a people chosen to execute
a purpose so sacred, so sublime. "There were jarrings,
52 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and
covetous desires among them ; therefore by these things
they polluted their inheritances." Then was the lash of
the Philistine applied, and they were driven forth from*
the goodly land. Satan hath his mission, as well as
Christ.
Be it not inferred, however, that these hapless victims
of mobocratic tyranny were utterly wicked and depraved,
or that all were equally culpable in the eyes of Him,
who, to punish the transgressors, permitted their
enemies to come against them. With all their faults
they were better far than their oppressors, more than
the peers, in every Christian virtue, of the people of
the world around them. Yet, judged by the higher law,
the Gospel standard, which the world had not received,
and were not under the same obligation to obey, these
"children of the Light" were found remiss in many
things.
The Kingdom of heaven is likened unto a field of
grain, gathered unto the threshing-floor. The purpose
of divine punishment is to purify. Upon the wheat and
the chaff, alike, fell the iron flail of persecution.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE ZION'S CAMP EXPEDITION JOSEPH AS A PROPHET-GEN-
ERAL FINDING OF THE BONES OF ZELPH, THE ANCIENT
REBELLION IN THE CAMP JOSEPH PREDICTS A
SCOURGE HEBER'S FAILURE AS A LAUNDERER ZION'S
CAMP SAVED BY A STORM.
" GATHER up the strength of my house, and go up
and redeem Zion !" Such was the burden of God's com-
mand to Joseph and his brethren in Kirtland. Such
was their interpretation of the divine message and call.
Bidding farewell to his family and friends, whom he
hardly dared hope he would ever meet again in the flesh,
Heber enrolled himself in the little band of heroes who
set out from Kirtland early in May, 1834. They were
about one hundred strong, well armed and equipped,
and were led by the Prophet Joseph in person. Subse-
quently their number increased to two hundred and
five souls. But Heber will tell his own story of that
eventful pilgrimage. Says he :
" Brother Joseph received a revelation concerning
the redemption of Zion, part of which remains to be
fulfilled. He sent messengers to the east and to the
west and to the north and to the south, to gather up the
Elders, and he gathered together as many of the brethren
as he conveniently could, with what means they could
spare, to go up to Zion, to render all the assistance that
we could to our afflicted brethren. We gathered cloth-
ing and other necessaries to carry up to our brethren
and sisters who had been plundered ; and putting our
horses to the wagons, and taking our firelocks and
54 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
ammunition, we started on our journey ; leaving only
Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and a few aged work-
men who were engaged on the temple ; so that there
were very few men left in Kirtland. Our wagons were
about full with baggage, etc., consequently we had to
travel on foot.
"We started on the 5th of May, and truly this was
a solemn morning to me. I took leave of my wife and
children and friends, not knowing whether I would see
them again in the flesh, as myself and brethren were
threatened both in that country and in Missouri by ene-
mies, that they would destroy us and exterminate us
from the land.
"There were about one hundred brethren in our
company who started for Zion. These brethren were
nearly all young men, and nearly all Elders, Priests,
Teachers and Deacons. The second day we arrived at
New Portage, being about forty miles, at which place on
the 7th we made regulations for traveling, and appointed
a paymaster, whose name was Frederick G. Williams,
and put all our moneys into a general fund. Some of
the brethren had considerable, and others had little or
none, yet all became equal. While here one of my
horses received a kick from another horse, which obliged
me to trade away my span, and get another span of older
horses, from Jonathan Taylor. We then proceeded on
our journey twelve miles to the Chippeway River. Here
we pitched our tents under a fine grove.
"The next day we were divided into companies of
twelve each, and captains were appointed over each
company. I organized my company in the following
manner, appointing two to attend to cooking, two to
see that fires were made, two to prepare the tent at
night and likewise the bedding, and also to strike the
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 55
tent each morning, two to fetch and provide water, one
to do the running, two to attend the horses, see that the
wagon was greased and everything prepared for starting.
My business was to see that the company was provided
for, and that all things were done in order. Our
living generally was very good, being able to buy bread
from the bakers or inhabitants on the way through the
settled part of the country. After this we purchased
flour and had to bake our own bread. We sometimes
had to live on Johnny cake and corn dodger, and some-
times our living was scant. Every night before we went
to bed we united in our tent and offered up our prayers
before the Lord for protection. This was done by all
the companies, at the sound of a trumpet ; and at the
sound of a trumpet in the morning, every man was upon
his knees, each one being called upon in his turn to be
mouth in prayer. The same order was attended to in
each tent. There were general officers appointed over
the company, viz: Joseph Smith, commander; Dr. F. G.
Williams, quartermaster and historian of the camp ;
Zerubbabel Snow and Nathan Tanner, commissaries of
subsistence; Sylvester Smith, adjutant; and Roger Orton,
captain of the guard.
"On the 8th we started on our journey, and on Sat-
urday the roth we passed through Mansfield, and camped
for the Sabbath in Richfield. On Sunday the nth
Brother Sylvester Smith preached and the sacrament of
bread and wine was administered to the company. On
Monday the i2th we crossed over the Sandusky plains,
and through the Indian settlements. We then passed
through a long range of beech woods where the roads
were very bad. In many instances we had to fasten
ropes to the wagons to haul them out of the sloughs and
mud holes by hand. While passing through the woods
56 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
the brethren scattered on each side of the road and went
to hunting for wild game. We came to Belle Fontaine,
where we first discovered refractory feelings in Sylvester
Smith.
"We passed through a very pleasant country to
Dayton, Ohio, where we crossed the Miami river, which
is a very beautiful stream ; the water being only about
two and a half feet deep, most of the brethren waded it.
We arrived at this place on Friday the 1 6th. The breth-
ren were in good spirits, and the Lord was with us. On
Saturday the i;th we passed into Indiana, just over the
line betwixt the States of Ohio and Indiana, where we
camped for the Sabbath, having traveled forty miles that
day; our feet were very sore and blistered, and our
stockings were wet with blood, the weather being very
warm. I walked most of the journey, letting the lame
and footsore ride in my stead. I frequently invited the
Prophet to ride, seeing him lame and footsore. On such
occasions he would bless me and my team with a hearty
good will. My team performed the journey very well.
"During the nigh.t a spy from the enemy attempted
to get into our camp, but was stopped by the guard.
We had our sentinels or guards appointed every night,
on account of spies continually harrassing us. This
evening there was quite a difficulty between some of the
brethren and Sylvester Smith, on occasion of which
Brother Joseph was called to decide the matter. Find-
ing quite a rebellious spirit in Sylvester Smith, and to
some extent in others, he said they would meet with
misfortunes, difficulties and hindrances, 'and you will
know it before you leave this place ;' exhorting them to
humble themselves before the Lord, and become united,
that they might not be scourged. A very singular occur-
rence took place that night and the next day, concerning
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 57
our teams. On the following morning when we arose
we found almost every horse in the camp so badly found-
ered that we could scarcely lead them a few rods to the
water. The brethren then deeply realized the effects of
discord. When Brother Joseph learned the fact he
exclaimed to the brethren that for a witness that God
overruled and had His eye upon them, that all those who
would humble themselves before the Lord should know
that the hand of God was in this misfortune, and their
horses should be restored to health immediately ; and by
twelve o'clock the same day the horses were as nimble
as ever, with the exception of one of Sylvester Smith's
which soon afterwards died.
"May 2 ist we passed through Indianapolis, the cap-
ital of Indiana, where we crossed White River. The
teams forded the river, and most of the brethren crossed
over the new bridge which was unfinished. We had
been threatened by our enemies that we should not go
through the town, but we passed through unmolested.
Everything appeared to be in perfect silence as we went
through, although the people looked aghast as if fear
had come upon them. At night we camped on an open
spot, the top of an eminence. Here we lost one horse.
"On Sunday, the 25th, we arrived at the edge of
Illinois ; we had no meeting, but attended to washing
and baking to prepare for our journey. On the 26th we
resumed our march. At night we were alarmed by the
continual threatening of our enemies. I would here
remark that notwithstanding so many threats were
thrown out against us, we did not fear, nor hesitate to
proceed on our journey, for God was with us, and angels
went before us, and we had no fear of either men or
devils. This we know because they (the angels) were seen.
On Tuesday we came to the Okaw, a fork of the Kas-
58 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
kaskia River, where we found two canoes ; we lashed'
them together and they served as a kind of ferry boat.
We took our baggage out of our wagons, put it on board
and ferried it across ; then took our wagons and horses,
and swam them across, and when they got to the oppo-
site shore the brethren fastened ropes into the tongues
of the wagons and helped the horses and wagons out of
the river. Others felled trees and laid them across the
river, and thus helped themselves over. In this way we
all crossed in safety. Wednesday, the 28th, we reached
the township of Decatur, where we lost another horse.
Saturday the 3ist, at night, we camped one mile from
Jacksonville and prepared for the Sabbath.
"On Sunday, June ist, we had preaching all day,
and many of the inhabitants of the town came out to hear.
Brother John S. Carter preached in the morning. By
this time the inhabitants began to flock down in com-
panies to hear the preaching, as they understood we
were professors of religion and had a meeting in the
morning. Brother Joseph then proposed that some of
the brethren should set forth different portions of the
Gospel in their discourses. He called upon Brother
Joseph Young to preach upon the principles of free salva-
tion. He then called upon Brother Brigham Young to
speak, who set forth baptism as essential to salvation.
He was followed by Brother Orson Hyde, who proved
by the scriptures that baptism was for the remission of
sins. Lyman E. Johnson spoke at some length upon the
necessity of men being upright in their walk, and keep-
ing the Sabbath day holy. Brother Orson Pratt delivered
an excellent discourse on the principles of the final
restoration of all things. The services of the day were
concluded by a powerful exhortation from Eleazer Miller.
His voice was said to be heard a mile and a half. I would
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 59
here remark concerning Brother Eleazer Miller, who was
one of the first that brought the Gospel to us at Men-
don, New York : when he used to retire to a little grove
near my house for secret prayer, he would get so filled
with the Spirit and the power of the Holy Ghost that he
would burst out in a loud voice so that he was heard by
the surrounding inhabitants for more than a mile. After
the services were over, many strangers were in our
camp making remarks upon the preaching which they
had heard. They said that Brother Joseph Young, by
his preaching, they should judge was a Methodist. They
thought Brother Brigham Young was a close communion
Baptist. Brother Orson Hyde they supposed was a
Campbellite or reformed Baptist. Brother Lyman E.
Johnson they supposed was a Presbyterian, and Brother
Orson Pratt a Restorationer. They enquired if we all
belonged to one denomination. The answer was, we
were some of us Baptists, some Methodists, some Pres-
byterians, some Cambellites, some Restorationers, etc.
"On Monday morning when we passed through
Jacksonville, they undertook to count us ; and I heard
one man say, who stood in the door of a cabinet shop,
that he had counted a little rising of five hundred, but he
could not tell how many there were. This thing was
attempted many times in villages and towns as we passed
through, but the people were never able to ascertain our
number.
" While traveling in Indiana some spies came into our
camp. While we were eating dinner on the 2ist of
May, three gentlemen came riding up on very fine look-
ing horses and commenced their enquiries of various
ones concerning our traveling in so large a body, asking
where we were from, and where we were going. The
reply was as usual, some from Maine, some from New
6O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
York, some from Massachusetts, some from Ohio, and
some replied, we are from the east, and as soon as we
have done eating we shall be going to the west again.
They then addressed themselves to Dr. Williams, to see
if they could find out who the leader of the camp was.
The doctor replied, we have no one in particular. They
asked if we had not a general to take lead of the com-
pany. The reply was, no one in particular. But, said
they, is there not some one among you whom you call
your captain, or leader, or superior to the rest? He
answered, sometimes one, and sometimes another, takes
charge of the company so as to not throw the burden
upon any one in particular. These same spies, who had
come from the west, passed us that same day, and the
next.
"On Monday, June 2nd, we crossed the Illinois
River. The enemy had threatened that we should not
pass over, but we were ferried across without any diffi-
culty. Here we were counted by the ferryman and he
declared we were five hundred in number, although there
were only about one hundred and fifty of us. Our com-
pany had increased since we started from Kirtland in
consequence of many having volunteered and joined us
from the different branches of the Church through which
we had passed on our journey. We camped on the west
bank of the river until the next day.
"On Tuesday, the 3d, several of us went up with
the Prophet to the top of a mound on the bank of the
Illinois River, which was several hundred feet above the
river, and from the summit we had a pleasant view of
the surrounding country. We could overlook the tops
of the trees and the meadow or prairie on each side the
river as far as our eyes could extend, which was one of
the most pleasant scenes I ever beheld. On the top of
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 6 1
this mound there was the appearance of three altars,
which had been built of stone, one above the other,
according to the ancient order; and the ground was
strewn with human bones. This caused in us very pecu-
liar feelings, to see the bones of our fellow creatures
scattered in this manner, fellow creatures who had been
slain in ages past. We felt prompted to dig down into
the mound, and sending for a shovel and hoe, we pro-
ceeded to move away the earth. At about one foot in
depth we discovered the skeleton of a man, almost
entire ; and between two of his ribs we found an Indian
arrow, which had evidently been the cause of his death.
We took the leg and thigh bones and carried them to
Clay County. All four appeared sound. Brother Brig-
ham Young has yet the arrow in his possession. It was
a common thing to find bones thus bleaching upon the
earth in that country.
"The same day we pursued our journey. While
on our way we felt anxious to know who the person was
who had been killed by that arrow. It was made known
to Joseph that he had been an officer who fell in battle,
in the last destruction among the Lamanites, and his
name was Zelph. This caused us to rejoice much, to
think that God was so mindful of us as to show these
things to His servant. Brother Joseph had enquired of
the Lord and it was made known to him in a vision.
" While we were refreshing ourselves and teams,
about the middle of the day, Brother Joseph got up in
a wagon and said he would deliver a prophecy. After
giving the brethren much good advice, he exhorted them
to faithfulness and humility, and said the Lord had told
him that there would be a scourge come upon the camp
in consequence of the fractious and unruly spirits that
appeared among them, and they would die like sheep
62 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
with the rot ; still if they would repent and humble them-
selves before the Lord, the scourge in a great measure
might be turned away ; 'but, as the Lord lives, this camp
will suffer for giving way to their unruly temper ;' which
afterwards actually did take place to the sorrow of the
brethren.
''The same day when we had got within one mile of
the Snye, we came to a very beautiful little town called
Atlas. Here we found honey, for the first time on our
journey, that we could buy. We purchased about two-
thirds of a barrel. We went down to the Snye and
crossed over that night in a ferry boat and camped for
the night on the west bank. There was a great excite-
ment in the country through which we had passed, and
also ahead of us ; the mob threatened to stop us ; guns
were fired in almost every direction through the night.
"We pursued our journey on the 4th and camped
on the bank of the Mississippi River. Here we were
somewhat afflicted, and the enemy threatened much that
we should not cross over the river out of Illinois into
Missouri. It took us two days to cross the river, as we
had but one ferry boat, and the river was one mile and
a half wide. While some were crossing others spent
their time in hunting, fishing, etc. When we had all got
over we camped about one mile from the little town of
Louisiana, in a beautiful oak grove, immediately on the
bank of the river.
"At this place there were some feelings of hostility
again manifested by Sylvester Smith, in consequence of
a dog growling at him while he was marching his com-
pany up to the camp, he being the last that came over
the river. The next morning Brother Joseph said that
he would descend to the spirit that was manifested by
some of the brethren to show them the folly of their
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 63
wickedness. He rose up and commenced by saying,
'If any man insults me, or abuses me, I will stand in my
own defence at the expense of my life ; and if a dog
growl at me, I will let him know that I am his master.'
At this moment Sylvester Smith, who had just returned
from where he had turned out his horses to feed, came
up, and hearing Brother Joseph make those remarks
said, 'If that dog bites me I'll kill him.' Brother Joseph
turned to Sylvester and said, 'If you kill that dog I'll
whip you ;' and then went on to show the brethren how
wicked and unchristian-like such conduct appeared before
the eyes of truth and justice.
"On Friday, the 6th, we resumed our journey. On
Saturday night we camped among our brethren at Salt
River, in the Allred settlement, in a piece of woods by a
beautiful spring of water, and prepared for the Sabbath.
On the Sabbath we had preaching. We remained here
several days, washing our clothes and preparing to
resume our journey. Here we were joined by Hyrum
Smith and Lyman Wight, with another company. The
camp now numbered two hundred and five men, all armed
and equipped. It was delightful to see the company,
for they were all young men, with one or two exceptions,
and all in good spirits.
"We were now reorganized in the following order:
Joseph Smith was acknowledged commander-in-chief;
Lyman Wight was chosen general of the camp ; then
Brother Joseph chose twenty men for his life guard, I
being one of them ; Brother George A. Smith was
Brother Joseph's armor-bearer; Hyrum Smith was chosen
captain of the life guard ; the remainder of the camp
was organized into companies as before stated. We had
twenty-five wagons, two horses on each, and on some
three. One day while we remained here our general
64 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
marched us out on a large prairie. He then proceeded
to inspect us, examine our firelocks, etc. Afterwards we
were marched in platoons, and, an object being placed,
we discharged our pieces in order to try them. We were
drilled about half a day, and then returned to the camp.
''My first attempt at washing my clothes took place
at Salt River. My shirts being extremely dirty, I put
them into a kettle of water and boiled them for about
two hours, having observed that women who washed
boiled their clothes, and I supposed by so doing they
boiled out the dirt; I then took them and washed them,
endeavoring to imitate a woman washing as near as I
could. I rubbed the clothes with my knuckles instead of
the palm of my hand, and rubbed the skin off so that
my hands were very sore for several days. My attempts
were vain in trying to get the dirt out of the clothes. I
wondered at this considerably, and scolded and fretted
because I could not get the dirt out, and finally gave it
up, and wrung them and hung them out to dry. Having
no flat-irons to iron them, I took them to Sisters Holl-
brook and Ripley to get them ironed. When they saw
them they said I had not washed my clothes. I told them
I had done my best, and although I had boiled them two
hours before washing, and had washed them so faithfully
that I had taken the skin off my knuckles, still I had not
been successful in getting the dirt out. They laughed
heartily, and informed me that by boiling before washing
I had boiled the dirt into them.
" On the 1 2th we again resumed our march ; many
of the inhabitants went with us several miles ; they
seemed to have much respect for us. We traveled about
fourteen miles and camped on a large prairie.
" We tarried in the middle of this prairie, which was
about twenty-eight miles across, on account of a rupture
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 65
which took place in the camp. Here F. G. Williams and
Roger Orton received a very severe chastisement from
Brother Joseph for not obeying orders. In this place
further regulations were made in regard to the organiza-
tion of the camp.
"A day or two after this, Bishop Partridge met us,
direct from Clay County, as we were camping on the
bank of the Wacondah River, in the woods. We
received much information from Brother Partridge con-
cerning the hostile feelings and prejudices that existed
against us in all quarters of Missouri. It gave us great
satisfaction to receive intelligence from him, as we were
in peril and threatened all the time. I will here mention
one circumstance that transpired during our stay at this
place, which was that of Brother Lyman Wight baptizing
Dean Gould, as he was not previously a member of the
Church, yet had accompanied us all the way from Kirtland.
"We pursued our journey, following the bank of
the river, for several miles. As we left the river and
came into a very beautiful prairie, Brother William
Smith killed a very large deer, which made us some very
nourishing soup, and added to our comfort considerably.
"On Wednesday, the iSth, at night, we camped one
mile from the town of Richmond, Ray County. On
Thursday, the iQth, we arose as soon as it was light and
passed through the town before the inhabitants were
up. As Luke Johnson and others were passing through
before the teams came along, Brother Luke observed
a black woman in a gentleman's garden near the road.
She beckoned to him and said, 'come here massa.'
She was evidently much agitated in her feelings. He
went up to the fence and she said to him, ' there is a
company of men lying in wait here who are calculating
to kill you this morning as you pass through.' This was
66 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
nothing new to us as we had been continually threatened
through the whole journey, and death and destruction
seemed to await us daily. This day we only traveled
about fifteen miles. One wagon broke down and the
wheels ran off from another, and there seemed to be
many things to hinder our progress, although we strove
with all diligence to speed our way forward. Our inten-
tions were when we started to go through to Clay County
that day ; but all in vain.
''This night we camped on an elevated piece of land
between two branches of the Fishing River. Just as we
halted and were making preparations for the night, five
men rode into the camp and told us we should see hell
before morning, and such horrible oaths as came from
their lips I never heard before. They told us that sixty
men were coming from Richmond, who had sworn to
destroy us, also seventy more were coming from Clay
County, to assist in our destruction. These men were
black with passion, and armed with guns, and the whole
country was in a rage against us, and nothing but the
power of God could save us. All this time the weather
was pleasant. Soon after these men left us we dis-
covered a small black cloud rising in the west, and not
more than twenty minutes passed away before it began
to rain and hail ; but we had very little hail in our camp.
All around us the hail was heavy ; some of the hailstones,
or rather lumps of ice, were as large as hens' eggs.
The thunder rolled with awful majesty, and the red light-
nings flashed through the horizon, making it so light that
I could see to pick up a pin almost any time through the
night. The earth quaked and trembled, and there being
no cessation it seemed as though the Almighty had issued
forth his mandate of vengeance. The wind was so
terrible that many of our tents were blown down. We
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 67
were not able to hold them up ; but there being an old
meeting house close at hand, many of us fled there to
secure ourselves from the storm. Many trees were
blown down, and others were twisted and wrung like a
withe. The mob came to the river two miles from us,
but the river had risen to that height that they were
obliged to stop without crossing over. The hail fell so
heavily upon them that it beat holes in their hats, and in
some instances even broke the stocks off their guns ;
their horses, being frightened, fled, leaving the riders on
the ground. Their powder was wet, and it was evident
that the Almighty fought in our defense. This night the
river raised forty feet.
"In the morning I went to the river in company with
Brother Joseph "Smith, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young
and others, as we had it in contemplation to proceed that
morning to Liberty, Clay County ; but we could not con-
tinue our journey as there was no way to cross the river.
It was then overflowing its banks ; and I have seen the
river since and proved that it was fully forty feet from
the top of its banks to the bottom. Previous to this rain
falling, it was no more than ankle deep. . Such a time
never was known by us before ; still we felt calm all
night, and the Lord was with us. The water was ankle
deep to us all night, even on that eminence, so we could
not sleep.
"At this place W. W. Phelps, S. W. Denton, John
Corrill and many others from Liberty joined us ; from
whom we received much information from the brethren
who had been driven from Jackson County, and learned
of the fixed determination of our enemies to drive or
exterminate them from that county.
"The next day, when we moved into the country we
saw that the hail had destroyed the crops, and we saw
68 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
that it had come in some directions within a mile and in
other directions within a half mile of our camp. After
passing a short distance the ground was literally covered
with branches of the trees which had been cut off by the
hail. We went a distance of five miles on the prairie to
get food for our horses and also to get some provisions
for ourselves, and to get into some secure place where
we could defend ourselves from the rage of the enemy.
We stayed there three or four days, until the rage of the
people was somewhat allayed.
"On the 2 ist Colonel Sconce and two other lead-
ing men from Ray County came to see us, desiring to
know what our intentions were, 'for/ said he, 'I see that
there is an almighty power that protects this people, for
I started from Richmond, Ray County, with a company
of armed men, having a fixed determination to destroy
you, but was kept back by the storm and was not able
to reach you.' When he came into camp he was seized
with such a trembling that he was obliged to sit down in
order to compose himself. When he desired to know
what our intentions were, Brother Joseph arose and
began to speak ; and the power of God rested upon
him. He gave a relation of the sufferings of our people
in Jackson County, and also many of our persecutions
and what we had suffered from our enemies for our
religion ; and that we had come one thousand miles to
assist our brethren, to bring them clothing, and to rein-
state them upon their own lands ; that we had no inten-
tions to molest or injure any people, but only to adminis-
ter to the wants of our afflicted brethren ; and that the
evil reports which were circulated about us were false,
and were circulated by our enemies to get us destroyed.
"After he had finished speaking, the power of which
melted them into compassion, they arose and offered him
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 69
their hands, and said they would use their influence to
allay the excitement which everywhere prevailed against
us. They accordingly went forth and rode day and night
to pacify the people. They wept because they saw we
were an afflicted people, and that our intentions were pure.
"The next day the sheriff of that county, named
Neil Gilliam, came to deliver a short address to us. We
formed into companies and marched into a grove a little
distance from the camp, and there formed ourselves into
a circle, and sat down upon the ground. Previous to
Mr. Gilliam' s address he (Gilliam) said, ' I have heard
much concerning Joseph Smith, and I have been informed
that he is in your camp ; if he is here I would like to see
him.' Brother Joseph arose and said ' I am the man.'
This was the first time he was made known during the
journey of one thousand miles. Mr. Gilliam then arose
and gave us some instructions concerning the manners
and customs of the people, their disposition, etc., and
what course we should take in order to gain their favor
and protection.
"On the Sabbath day while we were in this place,
being in want of salt, I took it upon me to go to some
of the inhabitants and get some. Brother Cyrus Small-
ing took his rifle and went along with me. After passing
through a path enclosed by hazel bushes, about two
miles from the camp, I discovered a deer a little distance
ahead of us standing across the path. I made motions
to Brother Smalling, and he, drawing up his rifle over
my shoulder, which served for a rest, fired and hit the
deer just behind the shoulder. It ran a few rods and
fell. We cut a pole and fastening the deer on it, got it
on our shoulders and carried it along to camp, when we
dressed it and divided it among the different companies,
and had an excellent feast.
7O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
" Here Brothers Ezra Thayer and Thomas Hayes
were taken sick with the cholera. We left them there,
and also brother Joseph Hancock, who had been taken
with the cholera during the storm, and who was the first
person attacked with it. Brother Joseph called the camp
together, and told us that in consequence of the disobe-
dience of some who had not been willing to listen to his
words, but had been rebellious, God had decreed that
sickness should come upon us, and we should die like
sheep with the rot ; and said he, ' I am sorry, but I can-
not help it.' When he spake these things it pierced me
like a dart, having a testimony that so it would be."
CHAPTER IX.
THE FISHING RIVER REVELATION WHY ZION WAS NOT
REDEEMED THE CHOLERA IN CAMP THE TEST OF
FAITH COMPLETE THE SHADOW OF A COMING EVENT.
HERE, while the Camp rested on Fishing River, the
Lord made further known His will concerning the redemp-
tion of Zion. The revelation was given on the 22nd of June,
the same day that the Prophet repeated his warning in
relation to the coming scourge. The points most perti-
nent to our narrative are here given :
" Behold I say unto you, were it not for the trans-
gressions of my people, speaking concerning the church
and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even
now;
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 71
''But behold, they have not learned to be obedient
to the things which I required at their hands, but are full
of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their sub-
stance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted
among them,
"And are not united according to the union required
by the law of the celestial kingdom ;
"And Zion cannot be ouilt up unless it is by the
principles of the law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise
I cannot receive her unto myself.
"And my people must needs be chastened until they
learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which
they suffer.
"Therefore, in consequence of the transgression of
my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should
wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion. * *
"But inasmuch as there are those who have heark-
ened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an
endowment for them, if they continue faithful. * * *
"I have heard their prayers, and will accept their
offering; and it is expedient in me, that they should be
brought thus far for a trial of their faith."
Those who had families in the east were then told
that they might return, while the rest were required to
remain in Missouri. The Saints were instructed to
observe wisdom and humility, and "lift up an ensign of
peace" to their enemies and to all the world, while await-
ing the day of God's power and of Zion's redemption.
The real purpose of the Almighty in relation to this
important event was foreshadowed in a revelation given
February 24th, 1834, the one calling for the organization
of Zion's Camp. Therein the Lord says :
" Behold I say unto you, the redemption of Zion
must needs come by power ;
"Therefore, I will raise up unto my people a man, who
shall lead them like as Moses led the children of Israel,
72 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
" For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of
Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by
power, and with a stretched out arm :
" And as your fathers were led at the first, even
so shall the redemption of Zion be."
While there is no doubt that, had the Lord's people
been prepared, they might have been redeemed accord-
ing to His word, it is also evident that the times were
not then ripe for that event. This will be shown more
plainly as we proceed.
Continuing his narrative, Heber says ;
"On Monday, June 23rd, a council of high priests
met, according to revelation, to choose some of the first
Elders to receive their endowments ; being appointed by
the voice of the spirit, through Joseph Smith the
Prophet. Edward Partridge was called and chosen
to go to Kirtland and receive his endowments, with
power from on high, and to also stand in his office as a
bishop to purchase land in Missouri. Also W. W.
Phelps, Isaac Morley, John Whitmer, David Whitmer,
Algernon S. Gilbert, Peter Whitmer, Simeon Carter,
Newel Knight, Thomas B. Marsh, Lyman Wight, Parley
P. Pratt, Christian Whitmer, and Solomon Hancock were
severally called and chosen to receive their endowments
in Kirtland with power from on high.
"On the morning of the 24th we started for Liberty,
Clay County, where our brethren were residing who had
been driven from Jackson County, taking our course
round the head of Fishing River, in consequence of high
water. When we got within five or six miles of Liberty,
General Atchison and several other gentlemen met us,
desiring that we would not go to Liberty, as the feelings
of the people in that place were much enraged against
us. Changing our course and bearing to the left, we
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 73
pursued our way across a prairie ; then passing through
a wood we came to Brother Sidney Gilbert's where we
camped on the bottom of Rush Creek, in a field belong-
ing to Brother Burgett.
" The destroyer came upon us as we had been
warned by the servant of God. About 12 o'clock at
night we began to hear the cries of those who had been
seized. Even those on guard fell with their guns in
their hands, and we had to exert ourselves considerably
to attend to the sick, for they were stricken down on
every hand. Thus it continued until morning when the
camp was separated into several little bands, and dis-
persed among the brethren.
" I was left at the Camp in company with Joseph B.
Noble, John D. Parker, Luke Johnson and Warren
Ingalls, in care of those who were sick. We stayed
with, and prayed for them, hoping they would recover,
but all hope was lost, for about six o'clock in the
morning John S. Carter expired. When the cholera
first broke out he was the first who came forward to
rebuke .it ; when he was immediately seized by it, and
was the first to die. In about thirty minutes after Seth
Hitchcock died, and it seemed as though we must all
sink under the power of the destroyer.
" We were not able to obtain lumber to make them
coffins, but were under the necessity of rolling them up
in their blankets and burying them in that manner. We
placed them on a sled, which was drawn by a horse about
half a mile, and buried them in a little bluff by the
side of a small branch of Rush Creek. This was accom-
plished by dark. Our hopes were that no more would
die, but while we were uniting in prayer with uplifted hands
to God, we looked at our beloved brother, Eber Wilcox,
who was gasping his last. At this scene my feelings
74 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
were beyond expression. Those only who witnessed it
can realize anything of the extent of our sufferings ; and
I felt to weep and pray to the Lord, that he would spare
my life that I might behold my dear family again. I felt
to covenant with my brethren and my God never to
commit another sin while I lived. We felt to sit
and weep over our brethren, and so great was our
grief that we could have washed them with our tears.
To realize that they had traveled a thousand miles
through so much fatigue to lay down their lives for their
brethren, increased our love for them.
" Brothers Brigham and Joseph Young came from
Liberty and assisted us to bury Brother Wilcox. Their
presence gave us much consolation. About 12 o'clock
at night we placed Brother Wilcox on a small sled which
we drew to the place of interment with one hand on the
rope and the other bearing our firelocks for defense.
While two were digging the grave the others stood with
their arms to defend them.
''While Brother Luke Johnson was digging, the
cholera attacked him with cramping and blindness.
Brother Brigham laid hold of him and pulled him out of
the grave, and shook him about, talked to and prayed
for him, and exhorted him to jump about and exercise
himself, when it would leave him for a few moments,
then it would attack him again ; and thus we had the
greatest difficulty to keep the destroyer from laying us
low. Soon after we returned another brother was
taken from our little band ; thus it continued until five
out of ten were taken away.
" After burying these five brethren I was seized by
the hand of the destroyer, as I went in the woods to
pray. I was instantly struck blind, and saw no way
whereby I could free myself from the disease, only by
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 75
jumping and thrashing myself about, until my sight
returned to me and my blood began to circulate in my
veins. I started and ran some distance, and by this
means, through the help of God, I was enabled to extri-
cate myself from the grasp of death. This circumstance
took place in a piece of woods behind Brother Gilbert's
house.
"On the 26th Algernon Sidney Gilbert, keeper of
the Lord's storehouse, signed a letter to the governor,
in connection with others, which was his last public act,
for he had been called to preach and he said he would
rather die than go forth and preach the Gospel to the
wicked Gentile nations. The Lord took him at his
word ; he was attacked with the cholera and died about
the 2Qth.
" Brothers Erastus Budd and Jesse Johnson Smith,
a cousin of the Prophet, died at Brother Gilbert's about
the same time.
"While we were here, the brethren being in want
of some refreshment, Brother Luke Johnson went to
Brother Burgett to get a fowl, asking him for one to
make a broth for Elder Wilcox and others ; but Brother
Burgett denied him it, saying, ' In a few days we expect
to return back into Jackson County, and I shall want
them when I get there.' When Brother Johnson returned
he was so angry at Burgett for refusing him, he said, T
have a great mincl to take my rifle and go back and
shoot his horse.' I told Luke to never mind; that such
actions never fail to bring their reward.
"Judge how we felt, after having left the society of
our beloved families, taking our lives in our hands and
traveling about one thousand miles through scenes of
suffering and sorrow, for the benefit of our brethren,
and after all to be denied of a small fowl to make a little
76 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
soup for brethren in the agonies of death. Such things
never fail to bring their reward, and it would be well for
the Saints never to turn away a brother who is penniless
and in want, or a stranger, lest they may one day or
other want a friend themselves.
"I went to Liberty, to the house of Brother Peter
Whitmer, which place I reached with difficulty, being
much afflicted with the disease that was among us. I
stayed there until my return home, receiving great kind-
ness at the hands of the brethren.
"The destroyer having afflicted us four days, ceased.
Sixty-eight were attacked by the disease, of which num-
ber fourteen members of Zion's Camp died.
"June 3Oth I started for home in company with
Lyman Sherman, Sylvester Smith, Alexander Badlam,
Harrison Burgess, Luke Johnson and Zera Cole. They
elected me their captain.
"We proceeded on our journey daily, the Lord
blessing us with strength and health. The weather
was very hot, but we traveled from thirty-five to forty
miles a day, until about the 26th of July, when we
arrived in Kirtland ; having been gone from home about
three months, during which time, with the exception of
four nights, I slept on the ground.
"On my arrival home I found my family well, and I
felt to rejoice in the Lord that He had preserved my life
through so many dangers. Concluding that I had fin-
ished my mission to which the Lord had called me, after
resting a few days, I established my pottery and began
business."
Thus ended that remarkable expedition ; remarkable
for its object, for the issues involved, for its tragic epi-
sodes, examples of heroism and miraculous manifesta-
tions of divine power. What had it achieved? some may
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 77
ask. Nay, might not many be tempted to query, Was
not the mission of Zion's Camp a failure ?
''What have you accomplished?" was the sneering-
taunt of the apostate and of those weak in faith, met by
the remnant of the little band on their return to Kirtland.
"Just what we went for;" the meek, though firm reply
of such men as Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young.
And they were right. To them it was no failure.
The trial of their faith was complete. Their offering, like
Abraham's, had been accepted. They had been weighed
in the eternal balance, and were not found wanting.
But what of Zion and her redemption?
Let the word of the Lord, the God of Enoch, the
God of Joseph give answer:
"THE REDEMPTION OF ZION MUST NEEDS COME BY
POWER."
Power dwells in unity, not in discord ; in humility,
not pride ; in sacrifice, not selfishness ; obedience, not
rebellion.
Zion's Camp, if it failed at all in fulfilling its mission,
failed for precisely similar reasons to those which had
caused the expulsion of the Saints from Jackson County;
reasons which, in ancient times, kept Israel wandering
for forty years in the wilderness, within sight of their
coveted Caanan, which they were not permitted in that
generation to possess. Like Moses, these modern pil-
grims beheld, as from Pisgah's top, their promised land:
like Moses, on account of transgression, they were not
permitted to "cross over." No doubt there were Calebs
and Joshuas in the Camp, who were worthy. But the
great event, in the wisdom of the Highest, was not then
destined to be.
It was left for a future generation and its Joshua to
go up in the might of the Lord and redeem Zion.
78 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
Yet not alone upon Zion's Camp must rest the
responsibility of their failure to redeem Zion. It bears
with at least equal weight upon those whom they came to
succor.
What said the Lord concerning them?
''Behold, they have not learned to be obedient,
* * but are full of all manner of evil, and do not
impart of their substance, as becometh Saints, to the
poor and afflicted among them."
Is not the episode of the fowl, related by Heber, a
tell-tale straw before the wind in this connection? Can
a people honey-combed with selfishness build up Zion?
"And are not united according to the union required
by the law of the celestial kingdom;"
Again that injunction of unity, the secret of Zion's
redemption. "Except ye are one ye are not mine."
"And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the
principles of the law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise
I cannot receive her unto myself."
Wonderful revealing, this. What is it but to say
that the United Order, the Order of Enoch, the Order of
Zion, is the order of the celestial worlds, where the
Gods, a divine brotherhood, have "all things common?"
"Therefore it is expedient in me that mine elders
should wait for a little season, for the redemption of
Zion."
Is it marvelous that this should be ; that a work of
such magnitude should require preparation ; that Zion,
city of holiness, should be built up only by the pure in
heart ? Ah, reader, the redemption of Zion is more than
the purchase or recovery of lands, the building of cities,
or even the founding of nations. It is the conquest of
the heart, the subjugation of the soul, the sanctifying of
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 79
the flesh, the purifying and ennobling of the passions.
Greater is he who subdues himself, who captures and
maintains the citadel of his own soul, than he who, mis-
named conqueror, fills the world with the roar of drums,
the thunder of cannon, the lightning of swords and
bayonets, overturns and sets up kingdoms, lives and
reigns a king, yet wears to the grave the fetters of
unbridled lust, and dies the slave of sin.
In her children's hearts must Zion first be built up
and redeemed ; ' 'every man seeking the interest of his
neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the
glory of God." When the fig-tree of Israel's faith puts
forth such leaves, then know that the summer is nigh.
"And this cannot be brought to pass, until mine
elders are endowed with power from on high."
And yet were these same elders, unendowed, sent
forth to redeem Zion? Surely the Lord did not design
it then to be. Else, would he not have endowed them
before-hand ? This admitted, and what becomes of their
"failure?"
Ah, there are many such failures in a sublime success.
They are but steps in the stairway of triumph and victory.
What did Zion's Camp achieve? It cast the shadow
of a coming event ; struck the spark that shall kindle to
a flame ; fixed on the horizon of history a shining star,
the herald of a glory yet to come.
CHAPTER X.
BUILDING THE TEMPLE JOSEPH AND HEBER WORKING IN
THE QUARRY THE THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL A LESSON
ON FAITH CALL OF THE TWELVE HEBER C. KIMBALL.
ORDAINED AN APOSTLE.
THE work now engaging, almost exclusively, the
attention of the Church in Kirtland, was the building of"
the Temple. This edifice was begun in June, 1833. The
walls were partly reared when, in the year following, the
expedition for the relief of the Missouri Saints took from
Kirtland nearly all the able-bodied men whose means
and energies, otherwise, would have been employed
upon the Lord's House.
But the sacred enterprise was not suffered to lan-
guish. The elders left in charge were untiring in their
efforts to promote the work. The brethren labored day
and night, and the sisters among the foremost, as ever,
in a good cause were not one whit behind. Says
Heber :
"Our women were engaged in knitting and spinning,
in order to clothe those who were laboring at the build-
ing ; and the Lord only knows the scenes of poverty,
tribulation and distress which we passed through to
accomplish it. My wife had toiled all summer in lending
her aid towards its accomplishment. She took a hun-
dred pounds of wool to spin on shares, which, with the
assistance of a girl, she spun, in order to furnish clothing
for those engaged in building the temple ; and although
she had the privilege of keeping half the quantity of
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 8 1
wool for herself, as a recompense for her labor, she did
not reserve even so much as would make a pair of
stockings, but gave it for those who were laboring at the
house of the Lord. She spun and wove, and got the
cloth dressed and cut and made up into garments, and
gave them to the laborers on the temple. Almost all
the sisters in Kirtland labored in knitting, sewing, spin-
ning, etc., for the same purpose ; while we went up to
Missouri to endeavor to reinstate our brethren on the
lands from which they had been driven.
"Elder Rigdon, when addressing the brethren upon
the importance of building this house, spake to this effect :
That we should use every effort to accomplish this build-
ing by the time appointed ; if we did the Lord would
accept it at our hands; and on it depends the salvation
of the Church, and also of the world. Looking at the
sufferings and poverty of the Church, he frequently
went upon the walls of the building, both by night and
day, and wept, crying aloud to the Almighty to send
means whereby we might accomplish the building.
"After we returned from our journey to the West,
the whole Church united in this great undertaking, and
every man lent a helping hand. Those who had not
teams went to work in the stone quarry and prepared
the stones for drawing to the house.
"The Prophet, being our foreman, would put on his
tow frock and tow pantaloons and go into the quarry.
The Presidency, High Priests and Elders all alike assist-
ing. Those who had teams assisted in drawing the stone
to the house. These all laboring one day in the week,
brought as many stones to the house as supplied the
masons through the whole week. We continued in this
manner until the walls of the house were reared. The
committee who were appointed by revelation to superin-
82 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
tend the building were Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon
and Jared Carter. They used every exertion in their
power to forward the work."
During the winter of 1834-5, Heber attended the
theological school established in Kirtland. Here origin-
ated the lectures on faith, contained in the book of Doc-
trine and Covenants. It was the custom, at these meet-
ings, to call upon a certain number to speak for the edi-
fication of the others. Heber, on one occasion, was
invited to address them on the subject of faith. Every
passage of scripture bearing on the theme having been
quoted by previous speakers, and not wishing to repeat
what they had said, he was left to depend entirely upon
the Spirit. He began by relating the following anecdote,
the incident of which had occurred in his own family:
"My wife, one day, when going out on a visit, gave
my daughter Helen Mar charge not to touch the dishes,
for if she broke any during her absence she would give
her a whipping when she returned. While my wife was
absent my daughter broke a number of the dishes by
letting the table leaf fall, and then she went out under
an apple tree and prayed that her mother's heart might
be softened, that when she returned she might not whip
her. Her mother was very punctual when she made a
promise to her children, to fulfill it, and when she returned
she undertook, as a duty, to carry this promise into
effect. She retired with her into her room, but found
herself powerless to chastise her ; her heart was so soft-
ened that it was impossible for her to raise her hand
against the child. Afterwards, Helen told her mother
she had prayed to the Lord that she might not whip her."
Heber paused in his simple narrative. Tears glis-
tened in the eyes of his hearers ; the Prophet Joseph was
weeping like a child. He told the brethren that that was
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 83
the kind of faith they needed ; the faith of a little child,
going in humility to its Parent,, and asking for the desire
of its heart. He said the anecdote was well-timed.
A grammar school was opened in Kirtland the same
winter, taught by Sidney Rigdon and William E. McLel-
lin. Most of the Elders, including the Prophet, attended
this school. Some of them were very apt pupils and
made rapid headway. Heber's progress, however, was
only moderate. Grammar, as a study, afforded him little
delight. The mysteries of syntax seemed to elude his
mental grasp, as the will-o'-the-wisp the eye and hand
of its pursuer. A lover of choice language, and, when
loftily inspired, a user of much that was beautiful and
sublime ; a never-failing fountain of poetic thought and
imagery ; the technicalities of his mother tongue neverthe-
less seemed to baffle him. His forte lay elsewhere. He
was a philosopher, rather than an orator. Many excelled
him in speaking, but few, as thinkers, were his equals. If,
in the gift of speech, the power of expression, he fell below
many of his confreres, he had thoughts, ideas, inspira-
tions, toward which, as eagles toward the sun, their lofti-
est oratory soared in vain. His words, though humble,
were as sparks of prophecy from the Spirit's flaming
forge ; his inspired utterances, casual as they sometimes
seemed, were like oracles and decrees of fate.
"I used to tell Brother Heber I never wanted him
to say anything but good of me," an Apostle once
remarked, significantly, in the hearing of the writer.
Some six weeks after the establishment of the gram-
mar school, a meeting of the Camp of Zion was called to
assemble, to receive what was termed "a Zion's bless-
ing." At this meeting it was announced by the Prophet
that "those who went to Zion with a determination to lay
down their lives, if necessary, it was the will of God that
84 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
they should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to
prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the
Lord, which was nigh even fifty-six years should wind
up the scene."
Foremost of these evangelists, were to be chosen
twelve men, to be known as the Twelve Apostles.
The calling of the Twelve had been revealed to
Joseph as early as June, 1829. In the same revelation it
was given to Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer
whose calling, the Lord said, was the same as that of the
Apostle Paul to ' 'search out the Twelve," and make
known to them their mission.
Little thought Heber that he was to be one of them,
and would live to make his name illustrious as a bearer
of glad tidings to the nations. It is doubtful that he
even knew, at that time, of the intention to choose the
Apostles. The revelations were not published then, as
now, and few had access to the manuscripts in those
early days.
The day set for the choosing of the Twelve was
Saturday, February I4th, 1835. The meeting having
been duly organized, an expression was taken whereby
the Elders present signified their willingness and "anx-
ious desire" to have the Spirit of the Lord dictate in the
choice of the Apostles. The three witnesses Oliver
Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, each in
turn then offered prayer. They were blessed under
the hands of the First Presidency, and then proceeded
to call forth the Twelve.
The first three chosen were Lyman E. Johnson,
Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. They were
called into the stand, and, after expressing themselves in
relation to the holy calling about to be conferred upon
them, were ordained under the hands of the First Presi-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 85
dency and the Three Witnesses. "These brethren,"
says Heber, "ordained us to the Apostleship." Here is
a copy of his ordination blessing:
" Heber C. Kimball shall be made like unto those
who have been blessed before him, and he shall be
favored with the same blessing ; that he may receive
visions, the ministration of angels, and hear their voices,
and even come into the presence of God. That many
millions may be converted by his instrumentality, that
angels may waft him from place to place, and that he
may stand unto the coming of our Lord ; that he shall
be made acquainted with the day when Christ shall come;
that he shall be made perfect in faith ; that the deaf shall
hear, the lame shall walk, the blind shall see, and greater
o
things than these shall he do ; and that he shall have bold-
ness of speech before the nations, and great power." Etc.
The next day Orson Hyde, David W. Patten, Luke
S. Johnson, William E. McLellin, John F. Boynton and
William Smith were chosen in like manner. The remain-
ing three of the Twelve were Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt
and Thomas B. Marsh, who were absent at the time of
choosing. Parley was ordained an Apostle on February
2 ist, Thomas B. Marsh on the 25th or 26th of April,
and Orson Pratt on the 26th of that month.
No history of this important event would be com-
plete without the famous "Charge to the Twelve," deliv-
ered by President Oliver Cowdery. It was as follows :
"DEAR BRETHREN: -- Previously to delivering the
charge I shall read a part of a revelation. It is known
to you that previous to the organization of this Church
in 1830, the Lord gave revelations or the Church could
not have been organized.
"The people of this Church were weak in faith com-
pared with the ancients. Those who embarked in this
cause were desirous to know how the work was to be
conducted. They had read many things in the Book of
86 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
Mormon concerning their duty and the way the great
work ought to be done ; but the minds of men are so
constructed that they will not believe without a testimony
of seeing or hearing. The Lord gave us a revelation
that in process of time there should be twelve chosen to
preach His Gospel to Jew and Gentile. Our 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 our
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 difficul-
ties by reason of your visiting all the nations of the
world. You will need wisdom in a two-fold proportion
to what you have ever had. You will have to combat all
the prejudices of all nations." He then read the revela-
tion and proceeded to say, " Have you desired this min-
istry with all your hearts? If you have desired it, you
are called of God, not of man, to go into all the world."
He read again from the revelation, what the Lord said
to the twelve brethren. "You have your duty presented
in revelation. You have been ordained to the Holy
Priesthood. You have received it from those who
had their power and authority from an angel. You
are to preach the Gospel to every nation. Should you
in the least degree come short of your duty, great will be
your condemnation, for the greater the calling, 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. Remember 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 instance for evidence,
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 8/
on that you have acted. But it is necessary that you
receive a testimony from Heaven for yourselves, so that
you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mor-
mon, and that you have seen the face of 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 will therefore see the necessity of getting this
testimony from Heaven. Never cease striving until you
have seen God face to face. Strengthen your faith, cast
off your doubts, your sins and all your unbelief, and
nothing can prevent you from coming to God. Your
ordination is not'full and complete till God has laid His
hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as
did those who have gone before us. God is the same.
If the Savior in former days laid His hands on His disci-
ples, why not in the latter days?
"With regard to superiority I must make a few
remarks. The ancient Apostles sought to be great ; but,
brethren, lest the seeds of discord be sown in this mat-
ter, understand the voice of the Spirit on this occasion,
God does not love you better or more than others. You
are to contend for the faith once delivered to the Saints.
Jacob, you know, wrestled till he obtained. It was by fer-
vent prayer and diligent search that you have obtained
the testimony that you are now able to bear. You are
as one. You are equal in bearing the keys of the king-
dom 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 message to those who
consider themselves wise, and such may persecute you ;
they may seek your life. The adversary has always
sought the lives of the servants of God. You are, there-
88 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
fore, to be prepared at all times to make a sacrifice of
your lives, should the Lord require them in the advance-
ment 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 shall not see another day like this. The time has
fully come. The voice of the Spirit has come to set
these men apart. You will see the time when you will
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 inevitably 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 will gnash their
teeth upon you. This Gospel must roll and will roll till
it fills the whole earth.
"Did I say congregations would gnash upon you?
Yea, I say nations will gnash upon you. You will be
considered the worst of men. Be not discouraged at
this. When God pours out His Spirit the enemy will
rage, but God, remember, is on your right hand and on
your left. A man, though he may be considered the
worst, has joy who is conscious that he pleases God.
The lives of those who proclaim 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 be considered the worst by many,
and by some the best of men. The time is coming when
you will be perfectly familiar with the things of God.
This testimony will make those who do not believe your
testimony, seek your lives. But there are whole nations
who will receive your testimony. They will call you
good men. Be not lifted up when you are called good
men. Remember you are young men, and you shall be
spared. I include the other three. Bear them in mind
in your prayers, carry their cares to a throne of grace.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 89
Although they are not present yet you and they are
equal.
''This appointment is calculated to create an affec-
tion 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 prison, let the others pray
for him and deliver him by their prayers.
"Your lives shall be in great jeopardy, but the
promise of God is that you shall be delivered. Remem-
ber 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 fountain
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
intelligence and that power which characterized the ancient
Saints and now characterizes the inhabitants of the upper
world. The greatness of your commission consists in
this ; you are to hold the keys of this ministry. You are
to go to the nations afar off; nations that sit in darkness.
The day is coming when the work of God must be done.
Israel shall be gathered. The seed of Jacob shall be
gathered from 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 His (God's)
ministers be rejected, but where can Israel be found, and
receive your testimony and not rejoice ? Nowhere.
The prophecies are full of great things that are to take
place in the last days. After the elect is gathered out,
destruction shall come on the inhabitants of the earth.
All nations shall feel the wrath of God after they have
been warned 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
will see what you never expected to see. You will need
the mind of Enoch or Elijah and the faith of the brother
9O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
of Jared. You must be prepared 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
fall. You have read in the revelation concerning ordina-
tion. Beware how you ordain, for all nations are not like
this nation. They will willingly receive the ordinances
at your hand to put you out of the way. There will
be times, when nothing but the angels of God can deliver
you out of their hand. We appeal to your intelligence,
we appeal to your understanding, that we have so far
discharged our duty to you. We consider it one of the
greatest condescensions of our Heavenly Father in point-
ing you out to us. You will be stewards over this ministry.
"We have work to 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 prayers that you may be able to bear this testi-
mony, 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 your privilege to bear such testi-
mony for yourselves. We now expect you to be faith-
ful, to fulfill your calling, there must be no lack here.
You must fulfill in all things, and permit us to repeat, all
nations have a claim on you. You are bound together
as the three witnesses were, you, notwithstanding 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
those your brethren, according to the tenor and intent of
the charge you have received." Each of them answered
in the affirmative.
Thus were chosen the first Twelve Apostles of the
last dispensation. The first quorum of Seventies, their
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 9 1
co-laborers in the ministry, was called into existence
about the same time, its members being selected, as the
Twelve had been, from the survivors of Zion's Camp,
whose faith and integrity had been tried and proven.
The Apostles assembled from time to time to receive
instructions from the Prophet, and strengthen each other
in the Lord. One evening when they had met together
for this purpose, the grand revelation on Priesthood
(now forming the first half of Section 107 of the book of
Doctrine and Covenants) was given.
Sunday, April 5th, 1835. Says Heber: "The
Twelve had not all, as yet, been together, and as the
time drew near that we should travel to the east, we
appointed this day to bear our testimony unto our
brethren and friends. We were all assembled together
with the exception of Brother Orson Pratt, who had
not yet been with us. We proceeded to speak accord-
ing to our ages, the oldest speaking first. This day
Brothers Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham
Young and Heber C. Kimball spoke. Sunday, i2th,
Brothers Orson Hyde, William E. McLellin, Parley
P. Pratt, and Luke S. Johnson spoke. Sunday, iQth,
Brothers William Smith, John F. Boynton and Lyman
E. Johnson spoke, closing the testimony of the Twelve
Apostles to the people in Kirtland at that time.
Sunday, 26th, Brother Orson Pratt entered the house
while we were opening the meeting and praying and
wishing for his arrival. He was ordained an apostle, and
we received our charge from Joseph Smith, the Prophet."
The eldest of the Apostles, Thos. B. Marsh, thus
became president of the quorum ; though the Twelve
were all equal in authority. This order was agreeable to
the will of Heaven.
CHAPTER XL
FIRST MISSION OF THE TWELVE I^EBER REVISITS THE SCENES
OF HIS CHILDHOOD MOBBING AN ABOLITIONIST "THE
ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN" DAYS OF REPENTANCE
AND REFORMATION.
THE Apostles started on their first mission, May
4th, 1835. They traveled through the eastern states
and Upper Canada, preaching, baptizing, setting in order
the branches of the Church, counseling the Saints to
gather westward, and collecting means for the purchase
of lands in Missouri and the completion of the Lord's
House in Kirtland. Like the Apostles anciently, they
went forth two by two, traveling "without purse or
scrip," and preaching by the way. Heber's first com-
panion was William Smith, brother to the Prophet.
Separating at Dunkirk, New York, on the 5th of
May, the Apostles met in conference on the Qth, at
Westfield, Chautauqua County. Here they sat in coun-
cil upon the first case brought before them for adjudica-
tion. A local traveling Elder named Joseph Rose had
been teaching erroneous doctrine and perverting the
word of God, in that he spiritualized the literal promise
of the Savior ; that before His second coming the sun
should be darkened and the moon turned to blood. Rose
asserted that the Jewish church was the sun, darkened,
and the Gentile church, the moon, which should be
turned to blood. He was shown his error and reproved
sharply, whereupon he humbly acknowledged his fault.
At Mendon, his former home, Heber and his com-
panion, Elder Orson Hyde, were confronted by a Bap-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 93
tist priest named Fulton, who withstood them harshly.
Says Heber: "He called us false prophets, and, reject-
ing our testimony, advised us to go home. We declared
unto him that we should go forth preaching the Gospel,
and no power should stay us. I told him if he did not
repent of his sins and be baptized for the remission of
them, he would be damned ; which made him angry. We
then passed on until we came to a pure stream of water,
and there cleansed our feet, bearing testimony against
him, as the Lord commanded."
At the Lyonstown conference, on the 6th of June,
it was Heber's turn to preside ; the Twelve having been
instructed by the Prophet to preside in turn at their
meetings according to their ages. From here Elder
Kimball traveled in company with Elder Luke Johnson
towards Pillowpoint, the place of the next conference.
In the town of Rose they were cordially received, but in
Hewton were turned away from twelve houses, where
they had solicited entertainment. At midnight they put
up at an inn, retiring supperless to bed, as they had but
one shilling with which to pay for their lodging. A walk
of six miles before breakfast next morning brought them
to Esquire David Ellsworth's where they were warmly
welcomed and hospitably entertained. The Apostles
blessed the kind souls who thus administered to their
wants, and who, on bidding them farewell, gave them
money, wished them God-speed and wept at their depart-
ure. About one year later the whole family embraced
the Gospel.
At Pillowpoint, Jefferson County, a conference was
held on the igth of June. Here the council tried John
Elmer, a member of the Church, for holding views and
doctrines opposed to the principles of truth. "When
called upon, he stated that he had had many visions and
94 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
revelations, and that the Lord had revealed to him of a cer-
tainty that He would make His second appearance within
fifteen years ; also that the Spirit of God often came upon
him and threw him down, and caused him to disfigure
himself, or die the death of the righteous, or of the
wicked, and then come to life again in the presence of
others, to convince them that he was a man of God and
had great power. He also stated that in one of his vis-
ions the Lord Jesus appeared personally and laid His
hands upon him and sanctified him, both soul and body,
and that he was now immortal or changed, so that he
would never die. He stated that he could hold red-hot
iron or live coals of fire in his hands without receiving
any injury; together with other curious notions and
vagaries, ascribing them all to the power of God ; and
that he never would deny them, although the Council
and whole Church should decide against him. The
Council endeavored to show him that he was deceived
by the adversary, but to no effect. He said he would
rather be expelled from the Church than give up any of
his views or say they were not of God. Consequently
the Church lifted their hands against him."
While at Sackett's Harbor, Heber received a letter
from his wife, apprising him of the birth of his son, Heber
P., at Kirtland, on the ist of June. His joy found vent
in a characteristic burst of humor. He propounded the
following riddle to the brethren: " I have three children
now, and have not seen one of them." This was quite
a puzzle to them, until he explained that the one he
referred to was the infant born since he left home.
He next visited his native state, Vermont, and
remained several days among the scenes of his child-
hood, visiting and preaching to his relatives and acquaint-
ances, and wherever opportunity arose. Some believed,
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 95
but did not obey the Gospel. A false prophet named
Davison had gone through the country some time before,
deceiving the people with pretended miracles. They
were therefore prejudiced against the true faith, with its
new and strange promises of spiritual gifts and blessings.
Crossing over the Green Mountains, taking a by-
path through a lonely and densely timbered wilderness,
his only companions the wild animals and screech-owls
inhabiting those solitudes, he arrived at St. Johnsbury,
and met in council with his brethren on the i;th of July.
They held their meetings in a large barn belonging to
a Mr. Snow. It was in this neighborhood that the Snow,
Farr, Badger and Bingham families embraced the Gos-
pel. Apostle Erastus Snow was born at St. Johnsbury,
November 9th, 1818.
With sore and blistered feet, Heber now traveled
alone down the Connecticut river into New Hampshire,
visiting the town of Plainfield, where his mother was
born. He met with considerable opposition, even
among his own kindred. At Bradford the Twelve sat in
council and tried Elder Gladden Bishop for teaching false
doctrine. He was suspended from fellowship. Heber
next visited Boston, in company with Apostles Thomas
B. Marsh and Brigham Young, and after spending
several days with the Saints in that city, where each was
presented with a new suit of clothes by Sisters Fanny
Brewer, Polly Voce and others, they went northward to
the state of Maine. On the way they stopped at Dover,
and were shown through a large cotton factory, the
work-hands all suspending operations and gazing with
much curiosity at the " Mormon Apostles."
The last conference of the year 1835 was held at
Farmington, Maine, on the 28th of August. Having ful-
filled their mission, the Apostles agreed to return to
96 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
Kirtland, and separated with that understanding, after
appointing a day and hour to meet upon the steamboat
wharf in Buffalo.
At Concord, New Hampshire, under date of Sep-
tember 3rd, Heber writes thus in his journal: "Here I
understood an Abolitionist named Davis was going to
deliver a lecture at the Court House. I went with the
other stage passengers to hear his principles. After
waiting some time for the gentleman, instead of seeing
his person as we anticipated, we beheld an uproar among
the people, and our ears were saluted with the howls of
three or four hundred demons in human shape who were
in search of the Abolitionist ; and not finding him in the
State House, or streets, they commenced demolishing a
building and searching others. After a little while the
peace officers prevailed on them to desist. They then
prepared an effigy, which they carried through the streets
on a rail for some time ; then forming an assembly before
the State House, had an oration delivered on the subject
and burned the effigy, while the men of the city dared
not open their mouths or say ought to them. They then
went to a place where they had three pieces of cannon,
which they continued firing until daylight. This was a
night of peculiar feeling ; reflecting upon the night when
my brethren were driven from their homes in Jackson
County, Missouri, by a similar mob, and also considering
that the time might come when I might fall into the hands
of a like band of ruffians, my cry to the Lord was, Save
the man from the hands of these foul monsters. There
was such an uproar in the city next morning, that it took
five men to hold the horses while the passengers got into
the stage. This man was one of the first lecturers on
Abolitionism in that country, and it was then very unpop-
ular."
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 97
At Plainfield, Heber tarried two days with his cousin,
Charles Spaulding, in the house where his mother was
born and reared. From him he received a legacy of
seven dollars, left him by his aunt, Speedy Spaulding,
who had died a short time before. This money enabled
him to pursue his journey. By way of Albany, New
York, Palmyra and the hill Cumorah, he proceeded to
Canandaigua, where lived his sister Melvina (Mrs. James
M. Wheeler) and to Byron, the home of his sister Abi-
gail (Mrs. Jesse Mum). Thence he rode on to Buffalo, the
stage arriving just one hour ahead of the appointed time.
His brethren, the Apostles, were all there awaiting him.
Taking passage on board the steamer ' k United
States," they had gone as far as Dunkirk when the
vessel struck a rock and sprung a leak. She made for
Erie, but reached there with difficulty, being obliged to
run upon a sand-bar to keep from sinking. Hailing a
passing boat, the Apostles left the disabled steamer, and
on board the other arrived at Fairport, from which point
they had sailed nearly five months before. Here they
hired wagons and drove on to Kirtland, reaching home
on the 25th of September.
While the Apostles were absent upon this mission,
the "accuser of the brethren" had been busy sowing dis-
cord, with a view to causing coldness and estrangement
between the First Presidency and the Twelve. Two of
the Apostles, Orson Hyde and William E. McLellin,
had been suspended during their absence and called
home for trial, and, so great was the influence brought
to bear by misrepresentation upon the minds of the
Presidency, they had been led to mistrust the fidelity
of others.
The charge against Elders Hyde and McLellin was
for speaking and writing disrespectfully of President Rig-
98 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
don, in his manner of conducting the Kirtland school.
The charge was substantiated, and the brethren con-
o
fessed their fault and were restored to fellowship.
The accusations against the Twelve were more
serious. It was said that they had sought to be independ-
ent of the presiding quorum of the Church, and had
failed to fulfill their mission, in not preaching, at the Free-
dom conference, the gathering to Zion, or the collection
of means for the Kirtland Temple and the purchase of
lands in Missouri. Both charges were proved to be
groundless.
At the council, where the Apostles laid their griev-
ances before the Presidency, and "all things were recon-
ciled," the Prophet Joseph, it is said, made a covenant
with the Twelve that never again would he entertain a
charge against them on one-sided testimony, or pass judg-
ment upon them even in thought, without first giving
them an opportunity of being heard in their own defense.
If this noble, just, and charitable resolve had always
been adhered to by the Saints of God, in whom, if in
any people, such a principle should find its exponents
and exemplars, how many bitter heart-burnings might
have been spared ; how many reputations remained
unblasted, enmities unaroused, wounds uninflicted! Had
the idle gossip, the malicious slanderer, the toadying,
truckling tale-bearer, who oscillates, pendulum-like,
between man and man, seeking occasion against his
brother, making him "an offender for a word," coloring
all he hears, and pouring into oft too willing ears his
insidious tale of derogations and detractions ; had such
characters invariably been required to face those whom
they accused and to prove their assertions, who can say
that the cause of Zion, the unity and purification of God's
people, would not have been subserved rather than
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 99
injured thereby ? Are we not too prone to heed the
tale-bearer, the secret enemy, who, striking unawares
with "the shaft that flies in darkness," perchance seeks
to build up his own, upon the ruins of his brother's rep-
utation ; and too slow to remember justice and the law of
God that in the mouths of two or three witnesses, and
these not enemies of the accused, shall every word be
established?
Well might Solomon say, and well may it be
believed, that among the things which " the Lord doth
hate," are "a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that
soweth discord among brethren."
The men who had caused the trouble between the
Presidency and the Apostles, or those whom Heber held
responsible, were Warren Cowdery, Jared Carter and
others, who, using Oliver Cowdery and other influential
Elders near the person of the Prophet, as conduits of
their ill-will, wrought injury to their brethren who were
far away, unable, because absent, to defend themselves.
"I will here remark," says Heber, "that every
individual who used an influence against the Twelve
on their mission, apostatized and went out of the
Church ; and this should remain an everlasting warning
to all others. In those days there was a continual itch-
ing in certain individuals to destroy the union existing
between the Twelve and the First Presidency, and the
union in the First Presidency, which thing they did at
last effect, which broke up the Church for a time ; for
Oliver Cowdery, Warren Cowdery, Jared Carter, Fred-
erick G. Williams, and six of the Twelve became disaf-
fected, and turned against Joseph and those of the
Twelve who sustained him."
As, in the end, good comes of evil, and from the
compost-heap springs forth the flower of fragrance and
IOO LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
beauty, so from the unhappy event related, issued good
and glad results. From the time the reconciliation took
place between the Presidency and the Twelve, a reform-
ation commenced in the Church. "Those meetings,"
says Heber, "of humiliation, repentance, and confessing
of sins, were truly the beginning of good days to us, and
they continued through the endowment."
CHAPTER XII.
HEBER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE ITS DEDICATION
ANGELS ADMINISTER THE "BELOVED DISCIPLE"
JOHN SEEN THE SOLEMN ASSEMBLY THE ELDERS
ENDOWED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH HEBER'S
LONE MISSION.
THE Kirtland Temple was dedicated on the 271x1 of
March, 1836. It was yet in an unfinished state, but for
some time had been used for meetings and councils of
the Priesthood. From Heber's pen we have the follow-
ing description of the edifice and the ceremonies of its
dedication :
"This building the Saints commenced in 1833, m
poverty, and without means to do it. In 1834 they com-
pleted the walls, and in 1835-6 they nearly finished it.
The cost was between sixty and seventy thousand dollars.
A committee was appointed to gather donations ; they
traveled among the churches and collected a consider-
able amount, but not sufficient, so that in the end they
found themselves between thirteen and fourteen thousand
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. IOI
dollars in debt. This house was Sox 60 feet, and 57 feet
high to the eaves. It was divided into two stories, each
22 feet high and arched overhead. Ten feet were cut
off from the front by a partition, and used as an entry or
outer court, which also contained the stairs. This left
the main room 55 x 65 feet in the clear, both below and
above. In each of these rooms were built two pulpits,
one in each end. Each pulpit consisted of four different
apartments ; the fourth standing on a platform raised a
suitable height above the floor ; the third stood directly
behind and elevated a little above the fourth ; the second
in rear of and elevated above the third ; and in like
manner the first above the second. Each of these apart-
ments was just large enough and rightly calculated to
seat three persons, and the breastwork in front of each
of these three last mentioned was constituted of three semi-
circles joining each other, and finished in good style.
The fourth or lower one, was straight in front, and had
an elegant table leaf attached to it, that could be raised
at pleasure for the convenience of administering the
sacrament, etc. These pulpits were alike in each end of
the house. One was for the use of the Melchisedek or
High Priesthood, and the other for the Aaronic or lesser
Priesthood. The first or highest apartment was occupied
by the First Presidency over the whole Church ; the
second apartment by the Melchisedek High Priesthood ;
the third by the President of the High Priest's Quorum ;
and the fourth by the President of the Elders and his
two counselors. The highest apartment of the other
pulpit was occupied by the Bishop of the Church and his
two counselors ; the next by the President of the Priests
and his two counselors ; the third by the President of the
Teachers and his two counselors ; and the fourth by the
President of the Deacons and his two counselors.
IO2 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
''Each of these apartments had curtains hanging
from the ceiling over head down to the top of the pulpit,
which could be rolled up or dropped down at pleasure ;
and when dropped down would completely exclude those
within the apartment from the sight of all others. The
room itself was finished with slips and seats so calculated
that by slipping the seats a little the congregation could
change their faces toward either pulpit they chose ; for
in some cases the high Priesthood would administer, and
in other cases the lesser Priesthood would administer.
The room was also divided into four compartments by
means of curtains or veils hanging from the ceiling over
head down to the floor, which could be rolled up at
pleasure, so that the house could be used all in one or
divided into four rooms and used for different purposes.
Thus the house was constructed to suit and accommo-
date the different quorums of the Priesthood and worship
peculiar to the Church. The first story or lower room
was dedicated for divine worship alone. The second
story was finished similar in form to the first, but was
designed wholly for instructing the Priesthood, and was
supplied with tables and seats instead of slips. In the
attic, five rooms were finished for the convenience of
schools and for different quorums of the Church to meet
in. There was no baptismal font in this temple, the
ordinance of baptism for the dead not having been
revealed.
"At the time of dedication the first story was
finished, also the attic, but the second story was in an
unfinished condition.
"At the dedication an address was delivered by
Elder Rigdon, from Matthew 8th chap., iSth, iQth and
20th verses more particularly the 2Oth. He spoke two
hours and a half. The tenor of his discourse went to
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 103
show the toils, sufferings, privations, and hardships the
brethren and sisters had to endure while building this
house, and compared it with the sufferings of the Saints
in the days of the Savior. After the address the voice
of the assembly was taken in reference to receiving and
upholding the several presidents of the different quorums
in their standing. The vote was unanimously in the
affirmative in every instance. A hymn was sung, and
then we had an interesting address from President
o
Joseph Smith, and closed with a dedication prayer written
by the Prophet.
"During- the ceremonies of the dedication, an anorel
o o
appeared and sat near President Joseph Smith, sen., and
Frederick G. Williams, so that they had a fair view of
his person. He was a very tall personage, black eyes,
white hair, and stoop shouldered ; his garment was whole,
extending to near his ankles ; on his feet he had sandals.
He was sent as a messenger to accept of the dedication.
The Priesthood was organized according to the proper
order. During the whole of the dedication each quorum
was placed in its respective station. Everything was
conducted in the best of order, and profound silence
maintained."
The Temple having been dedicated, the Apostles
and Elders received their endowments, according to the
promise of the Lord in Missouri. Says Heber:
"We had been commanded to prepare ourselves for
a solemn assembly. At length the time arrived for this
assembly to meet ; previous to which the Prophet Joseph
exhorted the Elders to solemnize their minds, by casting
away every evil from them, in thought, word and deed,
and to let their hearts become sanctified, because they
need not expect a blessing from God without being duly
prepared for it, for the Holy Ghost would not dwell in
IO4 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
unholy temples. This meeting took place soon after the
house of the Lord had been dedicated. *
"When the Prophet Joseph had finished the endow-
ments of the First Presidency, the Twelve and the Presid-
ing Bishops, the First Presidency proceeded to lay hands
upon each one of them to seal and confirm the anointing ;
and at the close of each blessing the whole of the quor-
ums responded to it with a loud shout of Hosanna !
Hosanna ! etc.
" While these things were being attended to the
beloved disciple John was seen in our midst by the
Prophet Joseph, Oliver Cowdery and others. After this
all the quorums arose in order, together with the three
Presidencies ; and the Twelve then presented themselves
separately and individually before the First Presidency,
with hands uplifted towards heaven, and asked of God
whatever they felt to desire ; and after each individual
petition the whole of the quorums answered aloud Amen !
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! To God arid the
Lamb, forever and ever, amen and amen !
"The 6th day of April being the day appointed for
fasting and prayer, all the Elders, Priests, Teachers and
Deacons, numbering about four hundred, met together
in the House of the Lord to attend to further ordinances ;
none being permitted to enter but official members who
had previously received their washings and anointings.
Water being provided, the First Presidency, after girding
themselves with towels, proceeded to wash the feet of
the Twelve. After they got through the Twelve girded
themselves and washed the feet of the Seventies. They
then took their seats, each quorum seating themselves in
their respective places and continued in fasting and
prayer, prophesying and exhortation until evening. A
sufficient quantity of bread having been provided to feed
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 1 05
this whole assembly, it was broken by the First Presidency
of the Church and Twelve, after which the congregation
knelt while a benediction was pronounced upon it by the
First Presidency ; and afterwards the Twelve took it and
administered to the congregation. Then wine, also being
provided, was blessed by the First Presidency and in
like manner served to the congregation by the Twelve.
This order of things is similar to that which was attended
to by the Savior, amongst His disciples, previous to His
ascension. The meeting continued on through the night ;
the spirit of prophecy was poured out upon the assem-
bly, and cloven tongues of fire sat upon them ; for they
were seen by many of the congregation. Also angels
administered to many, for they were also seen by
many.
"This continued several days and was attended by a
marvelous spirit of prophecy. Every man's mouth was
full of prophesying, and for a number of days or weeks
our time was spent in visiting from house to house,
administering bread and wine, and pronouncing blessings
upon each other to that degree, that from the external
appearances one would have supposed that the last days
had truly come, in which the Spirit of the Lord was
poured out upon all flesh, as far as the Church was con-
cerned, for the sons and daughters of Zion were full of
prophesying. In this prophesying great blessings were
pronounced upon the faithful, and also great cursings
upon the ungodly, or upon those who had smitten us.
During this time many great and marvelous visions were
seen, one of which I will mention which Joseph the
Prophet had concerning the Twelve. His anxiety was
and had been very great for their welfare, when the fol-
lowing vision was manifested to him, as near as I can
recollect :
IO6 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
" He saw the Twelve going forth, and they appeared
to be in a far distant land. After some time they unex-
pectedly met together, apparently in great tribulation,
their clothes all ragged, and their knees and feet sore.
They formed into a circle, and all stood with their eyes
fixed upon the ground. The Savior appeared and stood
in their midst and wept over them, and wanted to show
Himself to them, but they did not discover Him. He
(Joseph) saw until they had accomplished their work,
and arrived at the gate of the celestial city ; there Father
Adam stood and opened the gate to them, and as they
entered he embraced them one by one and kissed them.
He then led them to the throne of God, and then the
Savior embraced each one of them and kissed them, and
crowned each one of them in the presence of God. He
saw that they all had beautiful heads of hair and all
looked alike. The impression this vision left on Brother
Joseph's mind was of so acute a nature, that he never
could refrain from weeping while rehearsing it."
"I continued through the winter," says Heber,
"some of the time going to school, and the residue lab-
oring with my hands, until May, 1836, when I enquired
of the Prophet Joseph if I should go on a mission to
preach, or go to school ; he replied I might do either, for
the Lord would bless me in the course I should pursue.
Accordingly, on the loth of May I left Kirtland and pro-
ceeded to Fairport, where I took steamboat and arrived
in Buffalo the next day. From that place I passed on to
the northeast, preaching where doors were open, and
baptizing for the remission of sins such as believed.
"June 1 3th, I arrived at Sackett's Harbor. I had
the pleasure of meeting Brothers Luke Johnson and
Orson Pratt, who were laboring with all their might for
the cause of God in that region.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. IO/
"From that place I went on the steamer United
States to Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and from
thence passed on about three miles from the village, when
I was stopped by a shower of rain, which drove me into
the house of Mr. Chapin for shelter, and making known
my calling, the people immediately desired a meeting, and
called in their neighbors, when I preached to them for
about an hour. Many staid until midnight, and before I
was up the next morning they called upon me requesting
I should preach again that day in the school house, which
I did, and at night it was again thronged with those who
were eager to hear. The second morning they likewise
called on me, and would not let me go until they knew
the truth of my testimony, for by this time the country
round was in an uproar of excitement. On the fourth
morning I was called out of bed, and baptized three* I
remained seven days preaching the Gospel of the King-
dom of Heaven, and baptized and confirmed seven.
The promise was fulfilled, for those who believed spoke
in tongues, and the sick were healed. A woman named
Davis had been confined to her bed for five years, not
able to do anything during that time, and scarcely able
to sit up, who was given up to die by the doctors. I bap-
tized and confirmed her a member of the Church, and at
the same time prayed for her, and rebuked the disease,
and commanded it to depart from her in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ. She began to amend from that very
hour, and in less than one week she was perform-
ing her usual household duties, walked into the streets
and attended meetings, to the astonishment of the
people. Sister Chapin and others were also healed of
their infirmities. Sister Davis' husband was con-
sidered a staunch Universalist. He was convinced and
baptized.
TO8 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"Thence I journeyed to Plattsburg, where I staid all
night with a Mr. Mansfield, who was very friendly to me.
I then went in a steamer to St. Albans, Vt., and visited
my friends in Sheldon and Bakersfield, traveled through
various parts of Vermont, visited Wright's settlement on
the top of the Green Mountains, where some were
believing. I met Elder Solon Foster at Potsdam,
preaching there once, and eight or nine bore testimony
to the truth of the Gospel.
"After an absence of about five weeks I returned
to Ogdensburg, met the brethren whom I had baptized,
and they rejoiced at my return. When I got to the
house of Brother Heman Chapin, he was grinding his
scythe and fixing his cradle to commence cutting his
wheat. I proposed to him if he would furnish me a tow
frock and pantaloons to put on, and a rake, I would go
into the field and rake and bind all he could cut. He
declared there was no man living could do it. Said I,
'never mind, Brother Chapin, its nearly as easy for me
to do it as to say it.' The next morning after the dew
had passed off we went into the field, commencing at a
piece of wheat which he said had three acres in it. Said
I, 'go ahead, Brother Heman, we'll cut down this piece
before dinner.' About the time he took the last clipp of
the three acres I had it bound in a bundle before he had
hardly a chance to look round, and about that time the
horn blew to call us to dinner. We started back to his
house ; he never spoke or said one word to me, appear-
ing rather confounded. The next Sabbath such a
congregation of hearers I had never seen in the United
States ; for priests and people had come for twenty-five
miles distance, to see and hear that "Mormon" who had
performed a thing that had never before been done in
that country, for Brother Chapin had proclaimed this
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 109
occurrence unknown to me. I tarried several days in
those regions, preaching and baptizing.
"August25th, while we were assembled for a meeting
our hearts were filled with joy by the arrival of Joseph
Smith, Sen., the patriarch, and his brother John Smith,
who were on a mission to bless the churches in the
eastern states.
"On the 27th, the church, numbering twenty, that I
had baptized, came together and received patriarchal
blessings under the hands of President Joseph Smith,
Sen.
"Sunday, 28th, Father John Smith preached at 10
a. m., and four of us bore testimony to the Book of
Mormon and the truth of the work. In the afternoon
we administered the sacrament, confirmed three and
blessed the little children of the branch.
" Monday, 2oth, we ordained Levi Chapin a Teacher
and Alvin Simons an Elder to watch over the church.
I then went to Black Lake, preached and baptized one ;
then preached at Potsdam and baptized another.
Returned to the township of Oswegatchie, called the
church together at Ogdensburg, which numbered twenty-
eight, and bade them farewell. I left the church rejoic-
ing in the Lord, and many around believing the testi-
mony.
"Thence I pursued my journey to Victor, Ontario
County, where I met Vilate, my wife, who was visiting
her friends, and I tarried a few days with them. Thence
we pursued our journey to Buffalo. Here a magistrate
came forward and paid five dollars for our passage to
Frankfort, a distance of one hundred and eighty miles.
The passengers were chiefly Swiss emigrants. After
sitting and hearing them for some time, the Spirit of the
Lord came upon me, and I was enabled to preach to
110 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
them in their own language. They seemed much pleased
and treated us kindly. We had a very heavy gale while
going up the lake, so that every passenger almost and
some of the hands were very sick. Many were frightened,
and one woman died, she being very feeble when she
came on board. But we reached our destination without
accident, and arrived in Kirtland, October 2nd. I was
gone nearly five months, visited many of my friends,
preached much, and baptized thirty. This was the first
mission I took alone. The Lord was with me and blessed
me, and confirmed the word with signs following."
CHAPTER XIII.
THE WORSHIP OF MAMMON THE TEMPORAL ABOVE THE SPIR-
ITUAL THE KIRTLAND BANK FINANCIAL DISASTERS
APOSTASY HEBER SORROWS OVER THE DEGENERACY OF
THE TIMES.
" ILL fares the land; to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay. ' '
DURING the absence of Apostle Kimball in the east,
a grievous change had come over the Church in Kirtland.
The greed of gain, the spirit of speculation was abroad
in the land. Mammon had reared his altars on conse-
crated ground ; the money-changer was within the tem-
ple. The love of the things of earth had usurped, in
many hearts, the love of the things of heaven, and com-
paratively few were free from the soul-destroying influ-
ence of idolatry. Idolatry? Yes; the bowing down to
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. I I I
the modern Baal, the worship of wealth the god of
gold the lust after the ways and pleasures of the world.
The order of Christ's kingdom is the order of crea-
tion ; firstly spiritual, secondly temporal. When this
order is subverted, "chaos is come again." Sorrow is
the inevitable consequence of apostasy from the spiritual
to the temporal. "To be carnally-minded is death; but
to be spiritually-minded is life and peace." Does not
the fall of man illustrate this principle ? Can he descend
from heaven to earth without causing and enduring pain?
The spiritual must sway the temporal, the earthly
be ruled by the heavenly. How else shall it be sancti-
fied? It is the spirit in man that moves the body, not
the body the spirit. In the Church, Christ's body, the
spiritual must reign supreme The temporal on the
heart's throne is ever the usurper; the spiritual crowned
and sceptred, ruler by right divine.
Jacob is spiritual ; Japheth is temporal. The mission
of Israel and the mission of the Gentiles are as the poles
antipodal; God's ways and man's ways, as heaven and
earth apart.
"We were very much grieved," says Heber, "on our
arrival in Kirtland, to see the spirit of speculation that
was prevailing in the Church. Trade and traffic seemed
to engross the time and attention of the Saints. When
we left Kirtland a city lot was worth about $150; but on
our return, to our astonishment, the same lot was said to
be worth from $500. to $1000., according to location;
and some men, Xvho, when I left, could hardly get food
to eat, I found on my return to be men of supposed
great wealth ; in fact everything in the place seemed to
be moving in great prosperity, and all seemed deter-
mined to become rich ; in my feelings they were artificial
or imaginary riches. This appearance of prosperity led
I I 2 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
many of the Saints to believe that the time had arrived
for the Lord to enrich them with the treasures of the
earth, and believing so, it stimulated them to great exer-
tions, so much so that two of the Twelve, Lyman E.
Johnson and John F. Boynton, went to New York and
purchased to the amount of $20,000 worth of goods, and
entered into the mercantile business, borrowing consider-
able money from Polly Voce and other Saints in Boston
and the regions round about, and which they have never
repaid."
The Prophet Joseph says of those times : " The
spirit of speculation in lands and property of all kinds,
which was so prevalent throughout the whole nation, was
taking deep root in the Church. As the fruits of this
spirit, evil surmising, fault-finding, disunion, dissension
and apostasy followed in quick succession, and it seemed
as though all the powers of earth and hell were combin-
ing their influence in an especial manner to overthrow
the Church at once and make a final end. The enemy
abroad and apostates in our midst united in their
schemes, flour and provisions were turned towards other
markets, and many became disaffected towards me, as
though I were the sole cause of those very evils I was
strenuously striving against, and which were actually
brought upon us by the brethren not giving heed to my
counsel."
During this period, the Kirtland Safety Society was
organized, with a view to controlling the prevailing sen-
timent and directing it in legitimate channels. The
ablest and staunchest men in Israel, including the Prophet
and most of the Apostles, were made officers and mem-
bers of the association.
Then came the financial crash of 1837, by which so
many of the banking and business houses of the country
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 113
were prostrated. Nearly all the banks, one after another,
suspended specie payment, I4 and gold and silver rose in
value in direct ratio with the depreciation of paper, cur-
rency." The Kirtland Bank shared a similar fate to
many others, and went down in the whirlpool of financial
ruin. One of the causes alleged for its failure was the
misfeasance of some of those who were entrusted with
the funds of the Bank. Heber says that Warren Parrish,
one of the clerks, "afterwards acknowledged that he
took $20,000, and there was strong evidence that he
took more. Those of integrity in the Church replaced
the stolen money at the expense of all they had." A
counterfeit, falsely reputed to have been issued by the
Bank, was also used by its enemies as a means to effect
its overthrow.
As usual the onus of responsibility was placed upon
the shoulders of the Prophet, although he had with-
drawn from the institution some time before. He was
falsely accused of dishonesty and fraud, and condemned
beyond measure, by men in and out of the Church, as
though he were the sole and intentional cause of the
catastrophe.
"This order of things," continues Heber, "increased
during the winter to such an extent that a man's life was
in danger the moment he spoke in defence of the Prophet
of God. During this time I had many days of sorrow
and mourning, for my heart sickened to see the awful
extent that things were getting to. The only source of
consolation I had, was in bending my knees continually
before my Father in Heaven, and asking Him to sustain
me and preserve me from falling into snares, and from
betraying my brethren as others had done ; for those who
apostatized sought every means and opportunity to draw
others after them. They also entered into combi-
I 1 4 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
nations to obtain wealth by fraud and every means that
was evil.
"At this time, I had many dreams from the Lord;
one of them I will relate. I dreamed that I entered the
house of John F. Boynton, in which there was a panther;
he was jet black and very beautiful to look upon, but he
inspired me with fear ; when I rose to leave the house he
stood at the door with the intention to seize on me, and
seeing my fear, he displayed his beauty to me, telling me
how sleek his coat was, and what beautiful ears he had,
and also his claws, which appeared to be of silver, and
then he showed me his teeth, which also appeared to be
silver. John F. Boynton told me that if I made myself
familiar with him he would not hurt me, but if I did not
he would. I did not feel disposed to do so, and while
the panther was displaying to me his beauty, I slipped
through the door and escaped, although he tried to keep
me back by laying hold of my coat ; but I rent myself
from him. The interpretation of this dream was literally
fulfilled. The panther represented an apostate whom I
had been very familiar with. I felt to thank the Lord
for this dream, and other intimations that I had, which,
by His assistance, kept me from falling into snares."
The hour was approaching when Heber C. Kimball
was destined to make his great mark as an Apostle ot
the Lord Jesus Christ, to perform a work that would per-
petuate his memory, and make his name "a household
word" upon the lips of tens of thousands in both hemi-
spheres.
CHAPTER XIV.
ZION'S SHIP AMONG THE BREAKERS ' 'SOMETHING NEW MUST
BE DONE TO SAVE THE CHURCH" HEBER C. KIMBALL
APPOINTED TO OPEN THE BRITISH MISSION SPIRITUAL
THINGS TO THE FRONT RIGHTING THE SHIP HEBER's
PROPHECY TO WILLARD RICHARDS ''YEA, IN THE NAME
OF THE LORD, THOU SHALT GO WITH ME"- THE DEPART-
URE FOR ENGLAND.
AT this crisis in the affairs of the Church, the Lord
revealed to Joseph that "something new" must be done
for its salvation. The good ship Zion, storm-tossed and
tempest-driven, her sails rent, her timbers sprung, a por-
tion of her officers and crew in open mutiny, was drifting
with fearful rapidity toward the rocks and breakers of
destruction.
Joseph was denounced as a "fallen prophet" by men
who had been his immediate friends and confidential
advisers, and the divinity of his mission was being doubted
by many who had received through him a testimony of
the truth, the gift of the Holy Ghost, a knowledge of
God and Christ, whom to know is life eternal.
"No quorum in the Church," says he, "was entirely
exempt from the influence of those false spirits who were
striving against me for the mastery. Even some of the
Twelve were so far lost to their high and responsible
calling, as to begin to take sides, secretly, with the
enemy."
What "new thing," under these circumstances, was
destined to "save the Church?" In what way was Jos-
Il6 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
eph's mission, as a prophet of the living God, to be
revindicated in the eyes of the Saints and of the world ?
"On Sunday, the 4th day of June, 1837," says Heber
C. Kimball, "the Prophet Joseph came tome, while I was
seated in front of the stand, above the sacrament table,
on the Melchisedek side of the Temple, in Kirtland, and
whispering to me, said, 'Brother Heber, the Spirit of the
Lord has whispered to me: 'Let my servant Heber go
to England and proclaim my Gospel, and open the door
of salvation to that nation.' '
The thought was overpowering. He had been sur-
prised at his call to the apostleship : now he was over-
whelmed. Like Jeremiah he staggered under the weight
of his own weakness, exclaiming in self-humiliation :
"O, Lord, I am a man of stammering tongue, and alto-
gether unfit for such a work ; how can I go to preach in
that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom
for learning, knowledge and piety ; the nursery of reli-
gion ; and to a people whose intelligence is prover-
bial!"
"Feeling my weakness to go upon such an errand,
I asked the Prophet if Brother Brigham might go with
me. He replied that he wanted Brother Brigham to stay
with him, for he had something else for him to do. The
idea of such a mission was almost more than I could
bear up under. I was almost ready to sink under the
burden which was placed upon me.
"However, all these considerations did not deter
me from the path of duty ; the moment I understood the
will of my heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go
at all hazards, believing that He would support me by
His almighty power, and endow me with every qualifica-
tion that I needed ; and although my family was dear to
me, and I should have to leave them almost destitute, I
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. I 1 7
felt that the cause of truth, the Gospel of Christ, out-
weighed every other consideration.
"At this time many faltered in their faith; even
some of the Twelve were in rebellion against the
Prophet of God. John F. Boynton said to me, 'If you
are such a fool as to go at the call of the fallen prophet,
Joseph Smith, I will not help you a dime, and if you are
cast on Van Dieman's land, I will not make an effort to
help you.' Lyman E. Johnson said he did not want me
to go on my mission, but if I was determined to go, he
would help me all he could ; he took his cloak from off
his back and put it on mine ; which was the first cloak I
ever had.
"Brothers Sidney Rigclon, Joseph Smith, Sen.,
Brigham Young, Newel K. Whitney and others said,
'Go and do as the Prophet has told you, and you shall
prosper and be blessed with power to do a glorious
work.' Hyrum, seeing the condition of the Church,
when he talked about my mission, wept like a little child ;
he was continually blessing and encouraging me, and
pouring out his soul in prophecies upon my head; he
said: 'Go, and you shall prosper as not many have
prospered.' '
Elder Orson Hyde, who had had some disagreement
with the authorities and was thought to be disaffected,
gave a noble proof of his integrity by asking forgiveness
of the brethren, and requesting the privilege of accom-
panying Apostle Kimball on his mission to England.
He was accordingly set apart, with Elder Kimball and
Priest Joseph Fielding, for that purpose.
Says Heber: "The Presidency laid their hands on
me and set me apart to preside over the mission, and
conferred great blessings upon my head ; said that God
would make me mighty in that nation in winning souls
Il8 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
unto Him ; angels should accompany me and bear me
up, that my feet should never slip ; that I should be
mightily blessed and prove a source of salvation to thou-
sands, not only in England but America.
"After being called on this mission, I daily went into
the east room in the attic story of the temple and poured
out my soul unto the Lord, asking His protection and
power to fulfill honorably the mission appointed me by
His servants. A short time previous to starting, I was
laid prostrate on my bed with a stitch in my back, which
suddenly seized me while chopping and drawing wood
for my family. I could not stir a limb without crying out
from the severeness of the pain. Joseph, hearing of it,
came to see me, bringing Oliver Cowdery and Bishop
Partridge with him ; they prayed for and blessed me,
Joseph being mouth, beseeching God to raise me up ; he
then took me by the right hand and said, ' Brother Heber,
I take you by your right hand in the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, and by virtue of the Holy Priest-
hood vested in me I command you in the name of Jesus
Christ to arise, and be thou made whole.' I arose from
my bed, put on my clothes, and started with them and
went up to the temple, and felt no more of the pain
afterwards."
Though amazed and overwhelmed at his call to this
duty, the voice of the Spirit in his own heart had long
since told him that he would some day be required to per-
form just such a work. As with all men of destiny, the
mountain of his mission loomed before him dimly in the
distance, casting its shadow athwart his soul, and there
were times when, worn and wearied with life's common
cares, he sought within that shade shelter and repose
from the noontide's heat and toil. Thus doth the ideal
subserve the real, of which, what is it but the prophecy ?
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. I 19
Some months prior to his appointment, in a conver-
sation with Willard Richards in the streets of Kirtland,
soon after the latter was baptized, Heber, filled with
the spirit of prophecy, had predicted for himself a mis-
sion to the shores of Europe.
"Shall I go with thee?" enquired Willard.
"Yea, in the name of the Lord, thou shalt go with
me when I go," Heber replied.
But Willard was now in the eastern states, on a spe-
cial business mission, and the day of Heber's departure
was drawing near. Just one day before he left for Eng-
land, Elder Richards returned, and was reminded by the
Apostle of the prediction he had uttered five months
before. Willard, being involved in business, and not
having received a formal call, did not see how he could
go. But, on consulting with the First Presidency, and
obtaining their consent, and his partner in business,
Brigham Young, agreeing to take charge of their affairs
in his absence, he was enabled to fulfill his covenant with
Heber, and was set apart the same evening to accom-
pany the mission to England.
Heber received the following letter of recommenda-
tion from the First Presidency;
"At a conference of the Elders of the Church of
Latter-day Saints, held in Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio,
on the fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, Elder Heber
C. Kimball, the bearer of this, was unanimously appointed,
set apart and ordained to go at the head of this mission
to England, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to
the people of that nation, as it is believed and practiced
by us. From the long acquaintance which we have had
with this our worthy brother, his integrity and zeal in the
cause of truth, we do most cheerfully and confidently
recommend him to all candid and upright people as a
I2O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
servant of God and faithful minister of Jesus Christ.
We do furthermore beseech all people who have an
opportunity of hearing this our brother declare the doc-
trine believed by us, to listen with attention to the words
of his mouth.
" JOSEPH SMITH,
" SIDNEY RIGDON,
"HYRUM SMITH.
"Presiding Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.
The day of departure came; Tuesday, June I3th,
1837. The solemn scene of Heber's parting with his
family cannot be more tenderly or graphically told than
in the words of Elder Robert B. Thompson, who thus
describes it:
"The day appointed for the departure of the Elders
to England having arrived, I stepped into the house of
Brother Kimball to ascertain when he would start, as I
expected to accompany him two or three hundred miles,
intending to spend my labors in Canada that season.
"The door being partly open, I entered and felt
struck with the sight which presented itself to my view.
I would have retired, thinking that I was intruding, but I
felt riveted to the spot. The father was pouring out his
soul to that
' God who rules on high,
Who all the earth surveys :
That rides upon the stormy sky,
And calms the roaring seas,'
that he would grant him a prosperous voyage across the
mighty ocean, and make him useful wherever his lot
should be cast, and that He who 'careth for sparrows,
and feedeth the young ravens when they cry' would sup-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 121
ply the wants of his wife and little ones in his absence.
He then, like the patriarchs, and by virtue of his office,
laid his hands upon their heads individually, leaving a
father's blessing upon them, and commending them to
the care and protection of God, while he should be
engaged preaching the Gospel in a foreign land. While
thus engaged his voice was almost lost in the sobs of
those around, who tried in vain to suppress them. The
idea of being separated from their protector and father
for so long a time was indeed painful. He proceeded,
but his heart was too much affected to do so regularly.
His emotions were great, and he was obliged to stop at
intervals, while the big tears rolled down his cheeks, an
index to the feelings which reigned in his bosom. My
heart was not stout enough to refrain ; in spite of myself
I wept, and mingled my tears with theirs. At the same
time I felt thankful that I had the privilege of contemplat-
ing such a scene. I realized that nothing could induce
that man to tear himself from so affectionate a family
group, from his partner and children who were so dear
to him, nothing but a sense of duty and love to God
and attachment to His cause."
In order to realize the situation so touchingly
described, it must be remembered that in those early
days, ere the age of steamships and railways had fairly
arrived, a mission to Europe, comparatively easy now,
seemed almost like a voyage to another world.
Heber continues :
"At 9 a. m., I bade adieu to my family and friends,
and in company with Elders Orson Hyde, Willard
Richards, and Priest Joseph Fielding, started without
purse or scrip on my mission, this being the first foreign
mission of the Church of Christ in the last days. We
arrived at Fairport on Lake Erie that afternoon, and
122 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
about an hour after took passage on a steamboat for
Buffalo.
"We were accompanied by Brothers Brigham
Young, John P. Greene, Levi Richards, and Sisters
Vilate Kimball, Rhoda Green, Mary Fielding, and others,
to Fairport. Sister Mary Fielding gave me five dollars,
with which I paid my passage and Brother Hyde's to
Buffalo ; we were also accompanied to Buffalo by R. B.
Thompson and wife, who were on their way to Canada,
where he intended to labor in the ministry. After a
pleasant voyage we reached Buffalo the next day, where
we expected to receive some funds from Canada to assist
us on our journey, but were disappointed, as Brothers
Goodson, Russell and Snyder did not meet us there
according to promise.
" From Buffalo we went down by the canal towards
Lyonstown. While walking on its bank I found an iron
ring about one and one-fourth inches in diameter, which
I presented to Elder Richards, saying, 'I will make you
a present of this ; keep it in remembrance of me ; for our
friendship shall be as endless as this ring.' We had but
very little means, but determined to prosecute our
journey, believing that the Lord would open our way..
We accordingly took passage in a line boat on the Erie
Canal to Utica, a distance of 250 miles ; from thence on
the railroad to Albany, where our party divided.
"From Albany I went with Brother Richards about
30 miles, to his father's, in Richmond, Berkshire County,
Massachusetts, where we arrived on the 2Oth, and
obtained forty dollars from his brother William which he
was owing to him. This enabled us to prosecute our
journey. We bade them a last farewell, as Willard's
father and mother and sister died a short time after-
wards. The next day we returned to Albany and took
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 123
passage in a steamboat to New York, where we arrived
on the evening of June 22nd, and again met Orson Hyde
and Joseph Fielding. We also met with Brothers John
Goodson, Isaac Russell and John Snyder, who had come
by the way of Canada to join the mission.
"We found a vessel ready to sail, but not having
sufficient means, we were obliged to wait until we could
obtain funds to pay our passage, and procure an outfit
for the voyage. We found Elder Elijah Fordham, the
only member of the Church in that city, who having no
house of his own, we lodged at Mrs. Fordham's, Elijah's
sister-in-law. Being short of funds, we hired a small
room in an unfinished store-house of Brother Fordham's
father, who was very wealthy, as he owned many store-
houses and buildings, but never invited us into his house
to sleep or eat, though he did invite us to assist him two
days in raising a building, as a compensation for lying
on his store-house floor.
" Brother Fordham seemed to be mute in relation
to Mormonism. I told him if he was faithful and
remained in New York, there would be a branch of the
Church raised up before we returned.
"Sunday, 25th, we fasted, prayed, administered the
sacrament, held council for the success of the mission,
and had a joyful time. In the afternoon two sectarian
priests came in, to find fault, but they were soon con-
founded, and left.
"On the 28th we deposited 180 of Orson Hyde's
"Timely Warnings," in the New York post office,
addressed to the priests and ministers of different
denominations in the city. We also distributed many
to the citizens, and at the same time conversed with them
on the subject of the Gospel. Our sojourn in the city
opened the door for Brothers Parley and Orson Pratt to
124 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
introduce the Gospel there. Many persons who subse-
quently came into the Church have referred to the
"Timely Warnings" which they had read. We spent
considerable time in prayer to our Heavenly Father for
His guidance and protection ; to make our way plain
before us ; to bless us with a prosperous voyage across
the mighty ocean ; make us a blessing to each other, and
the captain and crew with whom we should sail.
" In New York we were subject to many inconveni-
ences ; had to lay amid straw and blankets upon the
ground ; to buy our victuals ; yet we did not feel dis-
couraged ; believing that the Lord would open up our
way and guide us to our destination.
"Brother Fordham made me a present of ten
dollars, and concluded to accompany us on our mission,
but upon mature consideration, we thought it best for
him to stay there ; believing that the Lord had a people
in that city, and that there would be a church built up
there before our return.
"Having obtained sufficient money to pay our pas-
sage across the Atlantic, eighteen dollars each, we laid
in a stock of provisions, and went on board the new
packet ship Garrick, of 900 tons, bound for Liverpool."
CHAPTER XV.
FAREWELL TO NATIVE LAND "UPON THE WIDE, WIDE
SEA" HEBER'S DREAM OF JOSEPH A SHIP OUT OF
HER RECKONING A DYING CHILD HEALED APOSTLE
HYDE PREACHES ON BOARD ARRIVAL AT LIVERPOOL
THE ELDERS LEAP ASHORE.
"ADIEU, adieu, my native shore
Fades o'er the waters blue ;
The night-winds sigh, the breakers roar,
And shrieks the wild sea-mew.
Yon sun that sets upon the sea
We follow in his flight;
Farewell, awhile, to him and thee,
My native land Good night !"
AT ten o'clock on the morning of July ist, 1837,
the Garrick weighed anchor, and, being towed down the
river by a steamer as far as Sandy Hook, set sail ocean-
ward. A few hours later Heber lost sight of his native
land. Say he :
"I had feelings which I cannot describe, when I could
no longer behold its shores, and when I bade adieu to
the land of my birth, I felt to exclaim :
'Yes, my native land, I love thee :
All thy scenes I love them well :
Friends, connections, happy country,
Can I bid you all farewell ?
Can I leave you,
Far in distant lands to dwell ? '
" However, when I reflected on the causes which had
induced me to leave it for awhile, and the work which
depended upon me, I could likewise say:
126 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"I go, but not to plough the main,
To ease a restless mind."
"I was actuated by a different motive than either to
please myself, or gain . the riches and applause of the
world ; it was a higher consideration than these that
induced me to leave my home. It was because a dispen-
sation of the Gospel had been committed to me ; and I
felt an ardent desire that my fellow creatures in other
lands might hear the sound of the everlasting Gospel,
obey its requisitions, rejoice in the fullness and blessings
thereof, and escape the judgments which will come upon
the ungodly."
Only souls where sentiment and feeling dwell, who
have been upon the mighty waters, floating like an insect
on a leaf amid the immensity of the liquid waste, can
realize that awful loneliness, that sense of helplessness
and utter dependency upon a power superior to man's.
Atheism, thy home is not the boundless deep! Ocean,
thou art religious, thou art worshipful, and throwest
heavenward the thoughts of man as though they were
thy spray!
Especially was it so with Heber and his compan-
ions, God-fearing men, upon whom rested the burden of
a mission fraught with salvation to thousands. The
solemnities of eternity encompassed them. They felt
as little children in the presence of the Infinite. And
children they were in their humility. Not in their own
strength went they forth, but in the strength of Him who
made the seas, and who holdeth their waters in the hol-
low of His hand.
''Angels shall accompany thee and bear thee up!"
Were they not even now upon the vessel, in mid-
ocean, guiding it unerringly toward its destiny? Aye,
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 127
lest at any time that fated bark should ''dash its foot
against a stone."
''While crossing the sea," says Heber, 14 I dreamed
that the Prophet Joseph came to me while I was standing
upon the forecastle of the ship, and said, ' Brother
Heber, here is a rod (putting it into my hands), with
which you are to guide the ship. While you hold this
rod you shall prosper, and there shall be no obstacles
thrown before you but what you shall have power to
overcome, and the hand of God shall be with you/
After this I discovered every kind of obstruction was
placed before the ship to stop its progress ; but the bow
being sharp, the obstacles were compelled to move out
on either side ; and when the ship would come to a
mountain, it would plow its course straight through, as
though it was in water. This rod which Joseph gave
me was about three and a half feet in length. His
appearance was just as natural as I ever beheld him in
the flesh. He blessed me and disappeared."
It is a singular fact that during fifty years, the period
covered by the history of Mormon emigration from the
nations abroad, not a ship-load of Latter-day Saints, not
a vessel bearing the Elders of Israel to or from foreign
shores, has ever been lost at sea. Even rough captains
and sailors have learned to regard this with feelings akin
to reverential awe, and to accept as a good omen, an
assurance of a safe and prosperous voyage, the presence
of Mormon Elders or emigrants among their ship's
passengers.
In such a light, Heber's dream of Joseph and the
rod wherewith he was to "guide the ship," takes on added
interest and significance.
Remarkable, too, that this same ship, the Garrick,
now on its first voyage, after twice ploughing the Atlan-
128 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
tic with Apostles Kimball and Hyde on board for on
this vessel they returned to America was doomed, on
almost its very next voyage, to go down at sea, in the
year 1841.
Heber continues his narrative:
"During the voyage we were hailed by a large ves-
sel throwing up a signal of distress. Our captain hauled
to, and with his speaking trumpet enquired what was
wanted. The answer was, 'we are bound for Quebec,
but are lost, having lost our reckoning.' Our captain
took an observation, and through his speaking trumpet
gave them, the latitude and longitude, and the course for
them to steer, showing them that they were about a thou-
sand miles from the American shore. They replied that
they thought they were close to the shore and were afraid
of running on the reefs for several days past. This
reminded me that when a person has lost his course, or
is out of the way, it is necessary to apply to the Lord,
through a Prophet, Seer and Revelator, to put him right.
"Our passage was very agreeable, the winds for the
most part being favorable. On the banks of Newfound-
land we saw several large fish, called by some, whales,
and by others, finners ; also many porpoises and different
species of fish. We were kindly treated by the officers
and crew ; their conduct was indeed praiseworthy. Had
we been their own relatives, they could not have behaved
more kindly, or treated us better. Thus the Lord
answered our prayers, for which I desire to praise His
holy name.
"The Lord also gave us favor in the eyes of the
passengers, who treated us with the greatest respect.
During the voyage, a child belonging to one of the pas-
sengers was very sick, and given up by the doctor to
die ; consequently its parents had given up all hopes of
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. I 29
its recovery, and expected to have to commit their little
one to the ocean. Feeling a great anxiety for the child,
I went to its parents and reasoned with them, and laid
before them the principle of faith, and told them that the
Lord was able to restore their child, notwithstanding
there was no earthly prospect of its recovery. To which
they listened with great interest. Shortly after, having
an opportunity to secretly "lay hands upon the child, I did
so, and in the name of Jesus Christ rebuked the disease
which preyed upon its system. The spirit of the Lord
attended the administration, and from that time the child
began to recover, and in two or three days after it was
running about, perfectly well. Afterwards I informed
the parents that I had laid hands on their child, and they
acknowledged that it was healed by the power of the
Almighty.
"Our health, while on the water, was good, with the
exception of Brothers Richards and Fielding, who were
sick a day or two.
"Sunday, July i6th, I went to the captain and asked
the privilege for one of us to preach on board. He very
obligingly agreed, and appointed i o'clock, p. m., when
it would be most suitable for himself and the crew to
attend. I requested Elder Hyde to speak, and notified
the captain, crew and passengers of the intended meet-
ing for preaching on the aft quarter deck. At the time
appointed there was a congregation of between two and
three hundred persons assembled, who listened, with
great attention and deep interest, to the discourse. I
think I never heard Brother Hyde speak with such power
and eloquence. He spoke on the subject of the resur-
rection, which was necessarily condensed, the time being
limited on account of the duties of the crew. The con-
gregation was composed of persons of different faiths,
130 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
and from different nations, English, Irish, Scotch, French
Germans, etc., both Jews and Christians. A great feel-
ing was produced upon the minds of the assembly, who
had never heard the subject treated in like manner before ;
and from the conversation we had afterwards with sev-
eral of them, I believe that good was done. The congre-
gation appointed a committee who came to us and
returned thanks for the favor conferred on them.
"On the 1 8th, the captain sent a man up to the
masthead to look for land. He had not been up long
before he cried out, "land," which was the Irish shore.
It caused joy and gratitude to arise in my bosom to my
heavenly Father for the favorable passage so far, and the
prospect of soon reaching our destination. We sailed up
the Irish Channel, having Ireland on our left and Wales
on our right. The scenery was very beautiful and
imposing.
"At daybreak, on July 2Oth, we arrived in the river
Mersey, opposite Liverpool, being eighteen days and
eighteen hours from our departure from the anchorage
at New York. The packet ship South America, which
left New York at the same time we did, came in a few
lengths behind, thus losing a wager of ten thousand dol-
lars which had been made the day of starting. She had
been seen daily during the voyage, but never passed us.
The sight was very interesting to see these two vessels
enter port with every inch of canvas spread.
"When we first sighted Liverpool I went to the side
of the vessel and poured out my soul in praise and
thanksgiving to God for the prosperous voyage, and for
all the mercies which He had vouchsafed to me, and while
thus engaged, and contemplating the scene presented to
my view, the spirit of the Lord rested down upon me in
a powerful manner, and my soul was filled with love and
LIFE OF IIEBER C. KIMBALL. 13!
gratitude. I felt humble, while I covenanted to dedicate
myself to God, and to love and serve Him with all my
heart.
''Immediately after we anchored, a small boat came
along-side, when several of the passengers, with Brothers
Hyde, Richards, Goodson and myself got in and went to
shore. When we were within six or seven feet of the
pier, I leaped on shore, followed by Elders Hyde and
Richards, and for the first time in my life I stood on
British ground, among strangers, whose manners and
customs were different from my own. My feelings at that
time were peculiar, particularly when I realized the
importance and extent of my mission ; the work to which
I had been appointed and in which I was shortly to be
engaged. However, I put my trust in God, believing
that He would assist me in publishing the truth, give me
utterance, and be a present help in time of need.
"Elders Hyde, Richards, and myself, being without
purse or scrip, wandered in the streets of Liverpool,
where wealth and luxury abound, side by side with pen-
ury and want. I there met the rich attired in the most
costly dresses, and the next minute was saluted with the
cries of the poor with scarce covering sufficient to screen
them from the weather. Such a wide distinction I never
saw before. Looking for a place to lodge in, we found
a room belonging to a widow in Union Street, which we
engaged for a few days."
CHAPTER XVI.
STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND THE ELDERS LED BY THE
SPIRIT TO PRESTON "TRUTH WILL PREVAIL" THE
REVEREND JAMES FIELDING WONDERFUL FULFILLMENT
OF HEBER'S PROPHECIES A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR
THE GOSPEL THE ELDERS PREACH IN PRESTON.
AFTER landing on this foreign shore, Heber's mind
for a season was overshadowed with gloom. Among
strangers and without money for he had not a penny
in his pocket and reflecting on the wretched state of
affairs in far away Kirtland, where the Prophet of God,
whom he loved as his own soul, was surrounded by
enemies, and his own family in lowly circumstances
in the midst of persecution, his spirits were much
depressed. It was then that he had the following night
vision. Says he:
"I was in a great water, swimming, and had swam
away, trying to make land, although I saw no land, until
I had become weary and tired, when I began to sink ;
then an angel came to me and placed his hand under my
chin, for some time keeping me from sinking, until I had
rested and gained strength ; he blessed me and said, ,
'Brother Heber, you shall now have strength to swim
ashore.' I again began to swim, and it appeared as
though every time I stretched forth my arms and feet, I
would move rods at each stroke, and continued doing so
until I reached land."
This dream, coming as such dreams generally do,
in a season of deep depression, was as a spring of pure
water in the desert to the parched lips of the weary
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 133
traveler. As a promise of success, it was amply verified
in the subsequent experience of the father and founder
of the British mission. "Rods at a stroke" is indeed a
strikingly appropriate figure, illustrating the labors in the
vineyard of this faithful and mighty servant of the Lord.
"The time we were in Liverpool," he continues,
"was spent in council, and in calling on the Lord for
direction. While thus engaged, the Spirit of the Lord
was with us and we felt greatly strengthened. Our trust
was in God, who could make us as useful in bringing
down the kingdom of Satan, as He did the ram's horns
in bringing down the walls of Jericho ; and in gathering
out a number of precious souls, who were buried amid
the rubbish of tradition, and who had no one to show
them the way of truth."
"Go to Preston," said the Spirit of the Lord, and
to Preston they went accordingly. The place indicated
was a large manufacturing town in Lancashire, thirty-one
miles from Liverpool. They arrived there about four
o'clock in the afternoon of July 22nd.
It was election day in Preston. Her Majesty, Queen
Victoria, who had ascended the throne just three days
before the landing of the Elders on her dominions, had
ordered a general election for members of Parliament.
In the very midst of this busy and interesting scene,
Heber and his companions alighted from the coach. He
thus describes the spectacle :
"I never witnessed anything like it in my life. Bands
of music playing. Flags flying in all directions. Thou-
sands of men, women and children parading the streets,
decked with ribbons characteristic of the politics of the
several candidates. Anyone accustomed to the peace-
able and quiet manner in which the elections in America
are conducted, can scarcely have any idea of an election
134 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
as carried on in England. One of the flags was unrolled
before us, nearly over our heads, the moment the coach
reached its destination, having on it the following motto :
'TRUTH WILL PREVAIL,' in large gilt letters. It being so
very seasonable, and the sentiment being so very appro-
priate to us in our situation, we cried aloud, 'Amen!
Thanks be to God, TRUTH WILL PREVAIL !' '
The Elders took a room in Wilfred Street, in a house
belonging to a widow. Joseph Fielding, in the meantime,
went in quest of his brother, the Reverend James Field-
ing, who was pastor of a church in Preston. Returning
shortly, he was the bearer of a polite message from the
reverend gentleman, inviting the Elders to visit him that
evening. Accordingly, Apostles Kimball and Hyde and
Elder Goodson went, and were kindly received by Mr.
Fielding and his brother-in-law, Mr. Watson, a minister
from Bedford. They conversed upon the subject of the
Gospel until a late hour. Next morning the Elders
received from Mrs. Watson a slight testimonial of her
appreciation of their visit, in the shape of a half crown piece.
The Reverend James Fielding, who was destined to
be an instrument of Providence for the establishment of
Mormonism in Preston its first foreign foothold
was a brother to Miss Mary Fielding, the same who, with
others, accompanied Heber from Kirtland to Fairport,
when he started on his mission to England. She subse-
quently became the wife of Hyrum Smith, the martyr,
and mother of Joseph F. Smith, the Apostle.
At this juncture, it will be well to refer to an extra-
ordinary prophecy of Heber C. KimbalFs, uttered in the
spring of 1836, which connects itself in an interesting
manner with the mission he was now about to fulfill.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt, over whom the prediction was
made, narrates the incident as follows :
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 135
"It was now April ; I had retired to rest one evening
at an early hour, and was pondering my future 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 he prophesied
as follows :
'"Brother Parley, thy wife shall be healed from this
hour, and shall bear a son, 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 work in the earth in
ministering the word and teaching the children of men.
Arise, therefore, and go forth in the ministry, nothing
doubting. Take no thought for your debts, nor the
necessaries of life, for the Lord will 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 fullness of the gospel, and they shall
receive 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 fullness of the
Gospel spread into England, and cause a great work to
be done in that land.'
"This prophecy was the more marvelous because,
being married near ten years, we had never had any
children ; and for near six years my wife had been con-
sumptive, and had been considered incurable. How-
ever, we called to mind the faith of Abraham of old, and
judging him faithful who had promised, we took courage."
Both these prophecies, the one relating to the birth
136 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
of his son, and the other to his Canadian mission, were
literally and marvelously fulfilled. Parley P. Pratt, jun.,
was born March 25th, 1837, eleven months after the event
was thus foretold. Among the ''people prepared for the
fullness of the Gospel" whom Parley the Apostle found
" in the city of Toronto," in strict accordance with
Heber's inspired words, was John Taylor, afterwards an
Apostle and the President of the Church, and a power-
ful champion of Mormonism in the British Isles ; also
Joseph Fielding, Heber's fellow missionary, and his
sisters, Mary and Mercy, who had lately emigrated from
England. The Fieldings of Canada wrote to their
reverend brother in Preston an account of the rise and
progress of the latter-day work, and thus prepared him
for the advent of the Elders upon British shores. He, in
turn, told his congregation and exhorted them to pray to
the Lord to send His servants unto them. Obedient to
his counsel, the worthiest and most pious members of his
flock commenced praying for the coming of the Elders
from America. Their faith shook the heavens, and in
dreams and visions many were shown the very men
whom the Lord was about to send into their midst.
Heber C. Kimball, especially, on his arrival in Preston
was recognized by persons who had never until then
beheld him in the flesh.
Thus, "from things growing out of this mission " to
Canada, had the fullness of the Gospel "spread into Eng-
land," according to Heber's prediction. Thus, like
Parley in the city of Toronto, had Heber found in
Preston, souls who were prepared to receive his message.
The angels of God had been before him, and left their
foot-prints upon the people's hearts.
The day after their arrival in Preston, being the
Sabbath, the brethren, on the invitation of Mr. Fielding,
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 137
repaired to Vauxhall Chapel, where he held forth from
his own pulpit. "We sat before him," says Heber,"
praying to the Lord to open up the way for us to preach."
At the close of the service, the reverend orentleman, of
o
his own accord for no one had requested it gave notice
that an Elder of the Latter-day Saints would preach in
his chapel at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The news
spread rapidly, and a large congregation assembled
at the appointed hour, to hear the Elders from America.
The first speaker was Heber C. Kimball. Says he :
"I declared that an angel had visited the earth, and com-
mitted the everlasting Gospel to man ; called their atten-
tion to the first principles of the Gospel ; and gave them
a brief history of the nature of the work which the Lord
had commenced on the earth ; after which Elder Hyde
bore testimony to the same, which was received by many
with whom I afterwards conversed ; they cried 'glory to
God,' and rejoiced that the Lord had sent His servants
unto them. Thus was the key turned and the Gospel
dispensation opened on the first Sabbath after landing in
England."
Another appointment was given out for the brethren
in the evening, when Elder Goodson preached, and
Joseph Fielding bore testimony, and still another for the
Wednesday night following, when Apostle Hyde held
forth and Elder Richards added his testimony. The
chapel was filled to overflowing, and many were "pricked
in their hearts," being convinced of the truth, "and
began to praise God and rejoice exceedingly."
Thus was the first opening made for the preaching of
the Gospel in the British Isles and on the continent of
Europe. Thus it was to use the Reverend Fielding's
famous phrase that "Kimball bored the holes, Goodson
drove the nails, and Hyde clinched them."
CHAPTER XVII.
SATAN ALARMED THE POWERS OF EVIL CONSPIRE AGAINST
THE ELDERS CHAPELS AND CHURCHES CLOSED AGAINST
THEM THE REVEREND MR. FIELDING IN HIS REAL COL-
ORS THE WORK CONTINUES TO SPREAD AN ARMY OF
DEMONS ATTACK THE ELDERS THE DAWN AND VIC-
TORY.
MEANWHILE, the powers of darkness had taken
counsel agfainst these servants of the Lord. Not with-
o
out a struggle would Satan loose his hold, and permit
the gates of salvation to open for the eastern, as they
had already opened for the western hemisphere. The evil
one had seen that the Church in America was trembling on
the verge of dissolution. To give it fresh impetus, and
infuse new life into the seemingly sinking system, was
the object of the Apostles' mission to the shores of
Albion. The opening of that mission it was Satan's fell
purpose to thwart, and for which he was now gathering,
far and near, the embattled hosts of hell.
The Elders might be said to have ''stolen a march"
on the Adversary, in securing, already, three hearings at
Vauxhall Chapel, with the favorable results before noted.
This much could not be retrieved, but the enemy of
righteousness hoped to prevent a repetition of such
scenes, and to hinder those who believed, from obeying
the Gospel by going down into the waters of baptism.
For know, O reader if thou art a stranger to this
truth that Satan is well satisfied with their condition
who "only believe" in Jesus, if they are not "born of the
water" according to His righteous example and holy will.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 14!
Acting on the principle, it may be presumed, that a
thing to be recovered should first be sought for where it
was lost, the evil one determined to use for his purpose
the Reverend James Fielding, the very man who had be-
friended the Elders, and given them their first public op-
portunity of declaring the message they had been sent to
deliver. Strange enough after what had passed though
sufficiently frequent, in similar phases, since those days,
to be no longer a cause of wonderment he found that
reverend gentleman in precisely the mood best suited to
his dark design. Like all who fear man more than they
love the Lord, preferring the praise and honors of the
world to the approval of a good conscience and the favor
of their Maker, the Reverend James Fielding, when he
had noticed the marvelous effect of the Elders' preach-
ing, and contemplated the present and prospective
results, in the leading away of his flock to drink at other
fountains and browse in other pastures, shrank back
appalled from the picture presented to his view. Willing
to sate his appetite for the new and marvelous, and even
obey a doctrine which promised worldly honors and
emoluments, he was not willing to humble himself "even
as a little child" and seek the kingdom of God at the
sacrifice of every earthly consideration.
Had he forgotten the text which, perchance, he had
a hundred times preached glibly from: "He that taketh
not his cross and followeth after Me, is not worthy of
Me" ? Or, like many other Christian divines, "having a
form of godliness, but denying the power thereof," was he
satisfied to believe that those words had lost their meaning
for this generation ? Be it as it may, here is the record
that will meet him at the day of judgment:
"The Rev. James Fielding, who had so kindly invited
us to preach in his chapel, learning that a number of his
14- LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
members believed our testimony, and that some had
requested to be baptized, shut his doors against us and
would not suffer us to preach in his chapel any more ;
alleging for an excuse that we had preached the doctrine
of baptism for the remission of sins, contrary to our
arrangement with him.
"I need scarcely assure my friends that nothing was
said to him from which any inference could be drawn that
we should suppress the doctrine of baptism. We deem
it too important a doctrine to lay aside for any privilege
we could receive from mortals. Mr. Fielding had been
apprised of our doctrines before we saw him, having
received several communications from his brother Joseph,
and his two sisters, Mary and Mercy, who wrote to him
from Canada, in which letters our doctrines were clearly
laid down. We likewise conversed with him on the sub-
ject at our interview. He, having been traditioned to
believe in infant baptism, and having preached and prac-
tised the same a number of years, saw the situation he
would be placed in if he obeyed the Gospel ; that not-
withstanding his talents and standing in society, he would
have to come into the sheepfold by the door, and after
all his preaching to others, have to be baptized himself
for the remission of sins by those who were ordained to
that power. These considerations no doubt had their
weight upon his mind, which caused him to act as he did ;
and notwithstanding his former kindness he soon became
one of our most violent opposers.
"However, his congregation did not follow his
example, they having some time been praying for our
coming, and having been assured by Mr. Fielding that
he coulcl not place more confidence in an angel than he
did in the statements of his brother Joseph, respecting
this people ; consequently they were in a great measure
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 143
prepared for the reception of the Gospel, probably as
much so as Cornelius was anciently.
" Having now no public place to preach in, we began
to preach at night in private houses, which were opened
in every direction, when numbers came to hear and
believed the Gospel."
Thus was Satan unsuccessful in stopping the spread
of the work. The smoking flax was bursting into flame,
and all his efforts could not quench it. Chapels and
churches he might close, for of them he held the keys, but
the hearts of the humble and pure were in God's keeping,
and to these sacred temples His servants had ready access.
Then came the stroke climacteric ; the dernier ressort
of satanic hostility.
"Saturday evening," says Heber C. Kimball, "it
was agreed that I should go forward and baptize, the
next morning, in the river Ribble, which runs through
Preston.
"By this time the adversary of souls began to rage,
and he felt determined to destroy us before we had fully
established the kingdom of God in that land, and the
next morning I witnessed a scene of satanic power and
influence which I shall never forget.
"Sunday, July 3Oth, about daybreak, Elder Isaac
Russell (who had been appointed to preach on the
obelisk in Preston Square, that day,) who slept with
Elder Richards in Wilfred Street, came up to the third
story, where Elder Hyde and myself were sleeping, and
called out, 'Brother Kimball, I want you should get up
and pray for me that I may be delivered from the evil
spirits that are tormenting me to such a degree that I
feel I cannot live long, unless I obtain relief
"I had been sleeping on the back of the bed. I
immediately arose, slipped off at the foot of the bed, and
144 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
passed round to where he was. Elder Hyde threw his
feet out, and sat up in the bed, and we laid hands on him,
I being mouth, and prayed that the Lord would have
mercy on him, and rebuked the devil.
" While thus engaged, I was struck with great force
by some invisible power, and fell senseless on the floor.
The first thing I recollected was being supported by
Elders Hyde and Richards, who were praying for me ;
Elder Richards having followed Russell up to my room.
Elders Hyde and Richards then assisted me to get on
the bed, but my agony was so great I could not endure
it, and I arose, bowed my knees and prayed. I then arose
and sat up on the bed, when a vision was opened to our
minds, and we could distinctly see the evil spirits, who
foamed and gnashed their teeth at us. We gazed upon
them about an hour and a half (by Willard's watch).
We were not looking towards the window, but towards
the wall. Space appeared before us, and we saw the
devils coming in legions, with their leaders, who came
within a few feet of us. They came towards us like
armies rushing to battle. They appeared to be men of
full stature, possessing every form and feature of men in
the flesh, who were angry and desperate ; and I shall
never forget the vindictive malignity depicted on their
countenances as they looked me in the eye ; and any
attempt to paint the scene which then presented itself, or
portray their malice and enmity, would be vain. I per-
spired exceedingly, my clothes becoming as wet as if I
had been taken out of the river. I felt excessive pain,
and was in the greatest distress for some time. I can-
o
not even look back on the scene without feelings of
horror ; yet by it I learned the power of the adversary,
his enmity against the servants of God, and got some
understanding of the invisible world. We distinctly
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 145
heard those spirits talk and express their wrath and
hellish designs against us. However, the Lord delivered
us from them, and blessed us exceedingly that day."
Elder Hyde's supplemental description of that fear-
ful scene is as follows, taken from a letter addressed to
President Kimball :
"Every circumstance that occurred at that scene of
devils is just as fresh in my recollection at this moment
as it was at the moment of its occurrence, and will ever
remain so. After you were overcome by them and had
fallen, their awful rush upon me with knives, threats
imprecations and hellish grins, amply convinced me that
they were no friends of mine. While you were appar-
ently senseless and lifeless on the floor and upon the bed
(after we had laid you there), I stood between you and
the devils and fought them and contended with them face
to face, until they began to diminish in number and to
retreat from the room. The last imp that left turned
round to me as he was going out and said, as if to apologize,
and appease my determined opposition to them, ' I never
said anything against you !' I replied to him thus: 'It
matters not to me whether you have or have not ; you
area liar from the beginning! In the name of Jesus
Christ, depart! He immediately left, and the room was
clear. That closed the scene of devils for that time."
Years later, narrating the experience of that awful
morning to the Prophet Joseph, Heber asked him what
it all meant, and whether there was anything wrong with
him that he should have such a manifestation.
"No, Brother Heber," he replied, "at that time you
were nigh unto the Lord ; there was only a veil between
you and Him, but you could not see Him. When I
heard of it, it gave me great joy, for I then knew that the
work of God had taken root in that land. It was
ID
146 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
this that caused the devil to make a struggle to kill
you."
Joseph then related some of his own experience, in
many contests he had had with the evil one, and said :
"The nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater
power will be manifested by the adversary to prevent
the accomplishment of His purposes."
An answer this, for the unbelieving and sophistical,
who argue, with the shallow reasoning of Job's com-
forters, that they have sinned most who suffer most, and
are ever ready to ascribe spiritual manifestations, good
or evil, to madness, drunkenness or imbecility. It is
needful, we are told, to experience opposites, to be
enabled to choose intelligently between them ; and to
those who have this experience, and who "take the Holy
Spirit for their guide," the way to judge is as plain "as
the daylight from the dark night."
'Tis Contrast sways unceasing sceptre
O'er vast Appreciation's realm;
E'en Gods, through sacrifice descending,
Triumphant rise to overwhelm.
So was it with the Apostles and Elders in Preston,
after their terrible encounter with the powers of evil, at
Sunday day-break, July 3Oth, 1837. The Spirit of the
Lord, with peace and joy that "passeth understanding,"
dawned with the Sabbath sun upon their souls. They
had tasted of the bitter, and would thenceforth more fully
know the sweet; encompassed about by "the horror of
darkness," they hailed with ecstacy till then unknown, the
glory of the golden morn.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE REVEREND MR. FIELDING FORBIDS THE ELDERS TO BAP-
TIZE THEIR CONVERTS APOSTLE KIMBALL' S ANSWER:
"THEY ARE OF AGE AND CAN ACT FOR THEMSELVES"
PREMIER GLADSTONE AND SECRETARY EVARTS FREE
AGENCEY AND UNRIGHTOUS DOMINION' HEBER C. KIM-
BALL BAPTIZES IN THE RIVER RI15BLE A MIRACLE.
THE Reverend lames Fielding, finding, notwithstand-
J o <->
ing his opposition, that the Elders prospered in their
labors, and were preparing" to lead into the waters of
baptism a number of his flock who had applied to them
for that privilege, wrought himself into "a fine frenzy."
He had even been to the Elders' lodgings, and, confront-
ing Apostle Kimball, forbidden him to baptize them.
"They are of age," answered Heber, "and can act
for themselves ; I shall baptize all who come unto me,
asking no favors of any man."
"On hearing this," he adds, "Mr. Fielding trembled
and shook as though he had a chill."
"They are of age and can act for themselves." A
similar answer to that given, nearly half a century later,
by the greatest of England's living statesmen, when
asked by the representative of "the freest government
on earth," to aid in the suppression of Mormon emigra-
tion from Europe. An answer worthy of "the grand old
man," as it was worthy of the grand Apostle, Heber C.
Kimball, and in consonance with the spirit of liberty, the
genius of the Gospel, and that sublime Mormon doctrine,
the free agency of man.
The destruction of human agency is Satan's peculiar
148 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
mission ; a doctrine of devils from the beginning, it will
be so unto the end. Force can never win in a contro-
versy involving the conscience, or soul of man. "It
may compel the body, but it cannot convince the mind."
Thought is forever unfettered ; as free to the Siberian
serf, as to Columbia's proudest son, or the monarch on
his throne. Freedom to believe, man cannot give ; the
right to act, where action injures no one, he cannot in jus-
tice take away. They who do so follow after Lucifer,
who rebelled against God, and was hurled with his doc-
trine of tyranny from heaven's battlements, drawing
down to perdition a third of its spirit hosts, "because of
their agency ;" the very eternal principle he had vainly
sought to destroy.
The Prophet Joseph, speaking of the power of the
Priesthood, the power which governs and controls all
things, says:
"No power or influence can or ought to be main-
tained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by persuasion,
by long suffering, by gentleness, and meekness, and by
love unfeigned.
"When we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify
our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control, or
dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children
of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the
heavens withdraw themselves ; the Spirit of the Lord is
grieved ; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the Priest-
hood, or the authority of that man."
A sublime enunciation, worthy the inspired mind
of an American Prophet, cradled in the lap of liberty, and
born to bring truth to light. Thine was a noble thought,
Bartholdi, noble though only half expressed. Not liberty
alone, not truth alone, but truth and liberty, Liberty with
Truth, shall yet "enlighten the world."
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 149
Referring to the morning of his contest with the
demons, Apostle Kimball says :
"Notwithstanding the weakness of my body from
the shock I had experienced, I had the pleasure, about
9 a. m , of baptizing nine individuals and hailing them
brethren and sisters in the kingdom of God. These were
the first persons baptized into the Church in a foreign
land, and only the eighth day after our arrival in Pres-
ton."
"A circumstance took place which I cannot refrain
from mentioning, for it will show the eagerness and anx-
iety of some in that land to obey the Gospel. Two of
the male candidates, when they had changed their clothes
at a distance of several rods from the place where I was
standing in the water, were so anxious to obey the Gos-
pel that they ran with all their might to the water, each
wishing to be baptized first. The younger, George D.
Watt, being quicker of foot than the elder, outran him,
and came first into the water."
"The circumstance of baptizing in the open air
being somewhat novel, a concourse of between seven
and nine thousand persons assembled on the banks of
the river to witness the ceremony. It was the first time
baptism by immersion was administered openly, as the
Baptists in that country generally have a font in their
chapels, and perform the ordinance privately."
"In the afternoon Elder Russell preached in the
market place to a congregation of about five thousand
persons, numbers of whom were pricked to the heart.
"I had visited Thomas Wahnesley's house, whose
wife was sick of the consumption and had been for sev-
eral years ; she was reduced to skin and bones, a mere
skeleton ; and was given up to die by the doctors. I
preached the Gospel to her, and promised her in the name
150 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
of the Lord Jesus Christ if she would believe, repent
and be baptized, she should be healed of her sickness.
She was carried to the water, and after her baptism began
to amend, and at her confirmation she was blest, and her
disease rebuked, when she immediately recovered, and
in less than one week after she was attending to her
household duties."
Sister Walmesley, the subject of this episode, is still
living. She resides in Bear Lake County, Idaho, and
though far advanced in years, at last accounts was hale
and hearty.
Thus was a miracle wrought that day, and nine souls
initiated into the kingdom of God ; the first fruits of the
Gospel in a foreign land. The names of those bap-
tized were George D. Watt, - - Miller, Thomas Wal-
mesley, Ann Elizabeth Walmesley Miles Hodgen,
George Wate, Henry Billsbury, Mary Ann Brown and
Ann Dawson.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE ELDERS SEPARATE FOR THE BETTER PROSECUTION OF
THEIR WORK JENNETTA RICHARDS THE PRESTON
BRANCH ORGANIZED HEBER GOES TO WALKERFOLD
ANOTHER MINISTER'S "CRAFT IN DANGER" MORE OF
HEBER'S PROPHECIES "\\TLLARD, i BAPTIZED YOUR
WIFE TO-DAY."
HAYING gained a foothold in Preston, and lifted the
ensign of the latter-clay work, around which the ransomed
of the Lord were beginning to rally, the Elders decided
to separate and carry the Gospel into other counties.
They met in council the day after the first baptisms in
the River Ribble, and "continued in fasting and prayer,
praise and thanksgiving until two o'clock in the morning."
Elders Richards and Goodson were appointed to go on
a mission to the city of Bedford, and Brothers Russell
and Snyder to Alston, in Cumberland. Apostles
Kimball and Hyde, with Priest Fielding, were to
remain and labor in and around Preston. A day or two
later the brethren departed for their fields of labor.
The second important step in the founding of the
British mission was now taken.
"On Wednesday, August 2nd," says Elder Kimball,
"Miss Jennetta Richards, a young lady, the daughter of a
minister of the Independent Order, who resided at
Walkerfold, about fifteen miles from Preston, came to the
house of Thomas Walmesley, with whom she was
acquainted. Calling in to see them at the time she was
there, I was introduced to her, and we immediately
entered into conversation on the subject of the Gospel.
152 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
I found her very intelligent. She seemed very desirous
to hear the things I had to teach and to understand the
doctrines of the gospel. I informed her of my appoint-
ment to preach that evening, and invited her to attend.
She did so ; and likewise the evening following. After
attending these two services she was fully convinced of
the truth.
"Friday morning, 4th, she sent for me, desiring to
be baptized, which request I cheerfully complied with, in
the river Ribble, and confirmed her at the water side,
Elder Hyde assisting. This was the first confirmation
in England. The following day she started for home,
and wept as she was about to leave us. I said to her,
'Sister, be of good cheer, for the Lord will soften the
heart of thy father, that I will yet have the privilege of
preaching in his chapel, and it shall result in a great
opening to preach the Gospel in that region.' I exhorted
her to pray and be humble. She requested me to pray
for her, and gave me some encouragement to expect
that her father would open his chapel for me to preach
in. I then hastened to my brethren, told them of the
circumstances and the result of my visit with the young
lady, and called upon them to unite with me in prayer
that the Lord would soften the heart of her father, that
he might be induced to open his chapel for us to preach
in."
While awaiting the issue of this event, the brethren
o
continued their ministerial labors. The record resumes:
"Sunday, 6th, Elder Hyde preached in the market-
place to a numerous assemblage, both rich and poor,
who flocked from all parts 'to hear what these dippers
had to say.' After he was through with his discourse I
gave an exhortation, and when I had concluded a learned
minister stepped forth to oppose the doctrines we
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 153
advanced, but more particularly the doctrine of baptism,
he being a great stickler for infant baptism. The people
thinking that he intended to offend us, would not let him
proceed, but seemed determined to put him down, and
undoubtedly would have done so had not Brother Hyde
interposed and begged permission for the gentleman to
speak ; telling the congregation that he was prepared to
meet any arguments he might advance. This appeased
the people, who listened to the remarks of the reverend
gentleman, after which Brother Hyde spoke in answer
to the objections which had been offered, to the satisfac-
tion of nearly all present, and the minister appeared
somewhat ashamed. Some of the people hissed at him
and told him not to do the like again. One individual
came up and asked him what he now thought of his baby
baptism ; when another took him by the hand and led
him out of the throng."
It was now deemed advisable to confirm all who
had been baptized and organize them into a branch,
twenty-eight persons having been baptized in Preston,
but only one confirmed. . The converts were accordingly
requested to meet at the house of Sister Ann Dawson,
where the Elders had their lodgings. It was the even-
ing of the third Sabbath they had spent in England. The
meeting having convened, after some preliminary
remarks by the Elders, they confirmed twenty-seven
members and organized the Preston branch, the first
branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in a foreign land. While attending to these
sacred duties, the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon
them in a powerful manner, causing them to rejoice
exceedingly.
And now came the fulfillment of Heber's prophecy
to Jennetta Richards, daughter of the minister of Wai-
154 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
kerfold. The early part of the week brought two letters
to Elder Kimball, one from Miss Richards, and the other
from her father. The latter read as follows:
Mr. H. C. Kimball,
Sir: You are expected to be here next
Sunday. You are given out to preach in the fore-
noon, afternoon and evening. Although we be strangers
to one another, yet, I hope we are not strangers to our
blessed Redeemer, else I would not have given out for
you to preach. Our chapel is but small and the congre-
gation few, yet if one soul be converted it is of more
value than the whole world.
"I remain, in haste,
"JoHN RICHARDS."
Taking coach from Preston on the following Saturday
afternoon, a little before dark Heber arrived at the door
of the Revered John Richards, in Walkerfold. On
entering the house he was warmly greeted by Mr. Rich-
ards, who said: "I understand you are the minister
lately from America?" Heber replied in the affirma-
tive. The reverend gentleman then bade him welcome
and exclaimed : "God bless you!" Refreshments were
served and conversation ensued until a late hour, to the
satisfaction of the whole family.
"Next morning," says Heber, "I accompanied the
reverend gentleman to his chapel at the hour appointed.
He gave out the hymns and prayed, and I preached to an
overflowing congregation on the principles of salvation.
I likewise preached in the afternoon and evening, and
they seemed to manifest great interest in the things
which I laid before them. Nearly the whole congre-
gation were in tears. After I had concluded the services
of the day Mr. Richards gave out another appointment
for me to preach on Monday evening, which I attended
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 155
to. By request of the congregation I likewise preached
on Wednesday evening. A number believed the doctrines
I advanced, and on Thursday, I7th, six individuals, all
members of Mr. Richards' church, came forward for
baptism. James Smithies and his wife Nancy were two
of the number.
This result was more than the good pastor had
anticipated. He had listened with deep interest to, and
had been willing for his congregation to hear, the simple
yet powerful testimony of the Mormon Apostle, who,
fired with the Holy Ghost, and all unmindful of the
studied arts and graces of pulpit oratory, spake, like
his Master of yore, "as one having authority." But
conversions of this kind he had not counted upon.
Fearful of losing his entire flock, and also his salary, if
any more such preaching were to be heard in his chapel,
he informed Elder Kimball that he would be obliged to
close his pulpit against him. Unlike Mr. Fielding, how-
ever, he manifested no bitterness of spirit, but after
denying him this privilege, continued to treat his Mor-
mon guest with great kindness and hospitality.
Heber's mind had been prepared for the change.
"One night," says he, "while at Mr. Richards' house, I
dreamed that an elderly gentleman came to me and
rented me a lot of ground, which I was anxious to culti-
vate. I immediately went to work to break it up ; and
observing young timber on the lot, I cut it down. There
was also an old building at one corner of the lot which
appeared ready to fall. I took a lever and endeavored
to place the building in a proper position, but all my
attempts were futile, and it became worse. I then
resolved to pull it down, and with the new timber build
a good house on a good foundation. While thus
engaged, the gentleman of whom I had rented the place
156 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
came and found great fault with me for destroying his
young timber, etc.
"This dream was fulfilled in the following manner:
After Mr. Richards let me preach in his chapel, I bap-
tized all of his young members, as I had before baptized
his daughter. He then reflected upon himself for letting
me have the privilege of his chapel ; told me that I had
ruined his church, and had taken away all his young
members. I could not but feel pity for the old gentle-
man, but I had a duty to perform which outweighed all
other considerations."
Heber now began to preach in private houses, which
were opened in the neighborhood, and "ceased not to
declare the glorious tidings of salvation." Among his
interested auditors, still, was the Reverend John Rich-
ards. His daughter Jennetta was very sorrowful over
the turn affairs had taken, and wept much at his refusal
to allow Elder Kimball to preach in his chapel. Heber
told her to be of good cheer, for he believed that the
Lord would soften her father's heart, and cause him to
reopen his chapel.
The fulfillment is noted as follows :
"Sunday, 27th, I went along with him to his meeting,
feeling a desire to hear him preach. After he had
finished his discourse, I was agreeably surprised to hear
him give out another appointment for me to preach
in his chapel. I accordingly preached in the afternoon
and evening. The words were with power. The effect
was great upon the people, for they were in tears, and
the next day I baptized two more, both of them mem-
bers of Mr. Richards' church. Although he had preached
in that parish upwards of thirty years, and his members,
as well as the inhabitants of the place and vicinity, were
very 4 much attached to him, yet when the fulness of the
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 157
Gospel was preached, the people, notwithstanding their
attachment to and regard for their venerable pastor,
when convinced of their duty came forward and fol-
owed the footsteps of the Savior, by being buried in the
likeness of His death."
While laboring in this neighborhood, Heber had
a dream in which Willard Richards appeared to him and
said: "You are wanted at Preston, and we cannot do
without you any longer."
"The next morning," says he, "I started for Preston
where I found that I was anxiously expected by the
brethren, who had received a letter from Brother
Richards, and one from Brother Russell, giving an
account of their proceedings since they left Preston.
There was also a letter from my wife, which contained
many precious items of news from Kirtland. Elder
Hyde praised the Lord on seeing me. Brother Good-
son had likewise returned from Bedford, where he and
Brother Richards had labored ; he gave us an account of
their mission and success in raising up a little branch of
nineteen."
Another of Heber's prophecies one of those seem-
ingly casual though fateful utterances for which he was
famous must here be mentioned.
"Willard, I baptized your wife to-day," were his
words addressed to Elder Richards just after Jennetta
Richards joined the Church. Willard and Jennetta had
not yet seen each other. The sequel is in WillarcTs
own words, taken from his diary. Time : March, 1838 :
"I took a tour through the branches, and preached.
While walking in Thornly I plucked a snowdrop, far
through the hedge, and carried it to James Mercer's and
hung it up in his kitchen. Soon after, Jennetta Richards
came into the room, and I walked with her and Alice
158 LIFE OK HEBER C. KIMBALL.
Parker to Ribchester, and attended meeting with
Brothers Kimball and Hyde at Brother Clark's.
"While walking with these sisters, I remarked,
' Richards is a good name ; I never want to change it ;
do you, Jennetta.' 'No; I do not,' was her reply, 'and
I think I never will.' '
"Sept. 24th, 1839, I married Jennetta Richards,
daughter of the Rev. John Richards, independent minister
at Walkerfold, Chaigley, Lancashire. Most truly do I
praise my Heavenly Father for His great kindness in pro-
viding me a partner according to His promise. I receive
her from the Lord, and hold her at His disposal. I pray
that He may bless us forever. Amen !"
CHAPTER XX.
THE MISSION OF ELIAS THE SYMBOLISM OF THE UNIVERSE
THE PAST PREPARATORY TO THE PRESENT AND
FUTURE THE WAY PREPARED FOR THE FULNESS OF
THE GOSPEL THE "LESSER LIGHTS " OF ENGLAND
FIELDING, MATTHEWS AND AITKEN THE STARS PALING
BEFORE THE SUN.
THE mission of Elias is the mission of preparation,
the lesser going before the greater, opening up
the way. The day-star heralding the dawn. The wedge
of truth piercing the wall of prejudice, cleaving the ranks
of error, creating the gap through which shall ride on
victory's flaming wheels, the chariot of Righteousness.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 159
''Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall
prepare the way before me."
What Christ is to the Father, Elias is to the Son ;
messenger and symbol of His Majesty. And hath not
Elias also his fore-runner ? The mantle of Elias falls on
many shoulders ; the shadow of that mantle on many
more.
Life, the universe, is one vast symbolism. Earth
fore-shadows heaven. The stars, the worlds on hio-h,
o
are of higher worlds typical ; a climax of constellations, a
ladder of light, a burning stairway of immortal glories.
"System on system, countless worlds and suns,
Linked in division, one yet separate,
The silver islands of a sapphire sea,
Shoreless, unfathomed, undiminished, stirred
With waves which roll in restless tides of change."
Planet above planet, step by step, lustre upon lustre
"until thou come nigh to Kolob ;" Kolob, lord of light,
king of kokaubeam, nearest unto the throne of God.
And shall it not be seen when all history is writ-
ten, on earth as in heaven, where it exists as a pro-
phecy ; when all secrets are revealed and hidden things
made known ; that Time with all its ages is a chain, a
climax, an ascending scale of dispensations, merging in
each other, and all into one, like rills and rivers mingling
with the ocean ; that men and nations from the beginning
have carved out the way for other men and nations ;
that human lives and human events, like sections of
machinery turned by the enginery of Omnipotence, have
fitted into and impelled each other, under the controlling,
guiding master mind and hand that "doeth all things
well?"
Was not the past all preparatory to the present ?
Does not the present foreshadow the future ? Are not
I6O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
influences at work, even now ; doctrines being taught,
truths put forth by pulpit, play and press ; discoveries
made in art and science ; antiquities unveiled and
mysteries brought to light, that are surely paving the
way for the revelations of Jesus Christ, past, present and
to come ? Is not the knowledge now possessed by the
Saints, glorious though it be, but a foretaste, the ante-
past of a greater feast of knowledge yet to follow ?
The mission of Elias is the mission of preparation,
the lesser going before the greater, opening up the way.
The mantle of Elias falls on many shoulders ; the
shadow of that mantle on many more.
In America, it was Sidney Rigdon, Alexander Camp-
bell and other orators and divines, who prepared the
way before Joseph Smith and the fullness of the ever-
lasting gospel. In England, the Fieldings, the Mat-
thews, the Aitkens and other lights, shed the lustre
of advanced thought over the path-way soon to be
brightened by the beams of eternal truth. Receiving
not the light themselves, they nevertheless bore witness
of its approach, and unknowingly made ready the minds
of many for its acceptance. The more lustrously they
shone, the greater their measure of power, the higher,
wider, deeper, more advanced and more liberal their
doctrines, the nearer they approximated, although they
knew it not, to what the world terms "Mormonism,"
what men in other ages called " Christianism," but what
the Gods in eternity have glorified as the Gospel of life
and salvation.
This preparatory work, like the work which was to
follow, was both spiritual and temporal. In America,
the sword of a Washington, the pen of a Jefferson had
carved out the legend of liberty, "All men are equal," ere
the Gospel trump was heard again proclaiming, to high
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. l6l
and low, rich and poor, "Peace on earth, good will to
men." In England, Victoria had ascended the throne,
and the spirit of reform, in church and state, was rolling,
a billow of victory, over the land. Society was moved
to its center. Old institutions were crumbling. The
iconoclast was abroad. Steam and electricity had begun
their miracles; science was exploding superstition;
tyrant's thrones were tottering; Liberty's upheaval in
the west had shaken the very pillars of the east; the
"former things" were passing away; He that "sat upon
the throne" was making "all things new."
Thus had God prepared the way for the advent of
the everlasting Gospel.
As we have seen, the man chosen to pioneer the
work on Europe's shores, to lead the assault on Satan's
strongholds in the old world, and wave back over the
Atlantic to his chief the signal of truth triumphant among
the nations, was Heber C. Kimball.
Speaking of those "lesser lights" who went before
him and his brethren and unwittingly helped them to
establish Mormonism in the British Isles, Heber says,
referring now to the mission of Elders Richards and
Goodson to the city of Bedford :
"A minister by the name of Timothy R. Matthews,
a brother-in-law to Joseph Fielding, received them very
kindly, and invited them to preach in his church, which
was accepted, and in it they preached several times,
when a number, amongst whom were Mr. Matthews and
his lady, believed their testimony, and the truths which
they proclaimed. Mr. Matthews had likewise home tes-
timony to his congregation of the truth of these things,
and that they were the same principles that were taught
by the Apostles anciently ; and besought his congrega-
tion to receive the same. Forty of his members went
' !
1 62 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
forward and were baptized, and the time was appointed
when he was to be baptized. In the interval, however,
Brother Goodson, contrary to my counsel and positive
instructions, and without advising with any one, read to
Mr. Matthews the vision seen by President Joseph Smith
and Sidney Rigdon, which caused him to stumble, and
darkness pervaded his mind ; so much so, that at the
time specified he did not make his appearance, but went
and baptized himself in the river Ouse ; and from that
time he began to preach baptism for the remission of sins.
He wrote to Rev. James Fielding saying that his best
members had left him."
"Mr. Matthews was a gentleman of considerable
learning and talent. He had been a minister in the
established church of England, but seeing many things in
that church contrary to truth and righteousness, and feel-
ing that an overturn was nigh at hand, and that the
church was destitute of the gifts of the Spirit, and was
not expecting the Savior to come to reign upon the earth,
as had been spoken by the prophets ; he felt led to with-
draw from that body, and gave up his prospects in that
establishment. He then began to preach the things
which he verily believed, and was instrumental in raising
up quite a church in that place."
This of the Reverend Mr. Fielding, in Preston:
"Mr. James Fielding had been a minister in the
Methodist Church, but for some of the above causes had
withdrawn from that society, and had collected a consid-
erable church in Preston. Those gentlemen, with their
congregations at the time we arrived were diligently con-
tending for that faith which was once delivered to the
saints ; but they afterwards rejected the truth. Notwith-
standing they did not obey the Gospel, the greater por-
tion of their members received our testimony, obeyed
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 163
the ordinances we taught, and are now rejoicing in the
blessings of the new and everlasting covenant."
Of the Rev. Robert Aitken, the most famous of
these reform ministers, Tullidge, our local historian, says:
"He seems to have been almost a Whitefield in his
eloquence and magical influence over the people. He
was emphatically the most popular 'new light' of the
period in England. For years he had been preaching
very successfully against 'the corruptions of the estab-
lished church.' His mission had been quite a crusade
against the English Episcopacy, and he had established
many flourishing chapels in Liverpool, Preston, Man-
chester, Burslem, London and elsewhere. In the metro-
polis he founded 'Zion's chapel' and what is interesting
in the case was that his themes on the ancient prophecies
and their fulfillment in 'these latter days' were very like
what might have been heard from Alexander Campbell
or the eloquent Sidney Rigdon, before as well as after
he became a Mormon Elder. The Rev. Robert Aitken
was also powerful in his 'warnings to the Gentiles,' and
his sermons were often glorious outbursts of inspiration,
when he dwelt upon the prospect of a latter-day church
rising in fulfillment of the prophets."
But the power and influence of this brilliant star
were about to wane. A greater luminary had arisen
the very Latter-day Church of which he had spoken
before whose rays the light of "Zion's Chapel" must
pale as pales the starlight before the morn.
Concerning this celebrated expounder of the Bible,
and pounder of the Book of Mormon for such it seems
he literally was Apostle Kimball writes :
"Soon after our arrival in England, many of the
Aitkenites embraced the Gospel, which caused consider-
able feeling and opposition in the ministers belonging
164 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
to that sect. Having lost quite a number of members,
and seeing that more were on the eve of being baptized,
the Rev. Robert Aitken came to Preston, and gave out
that he was going to put down Mormonism, expose the
doctrines, and overthrow the Book of Mormon. He
made a very long oration on the subject, was very vehe-
ment in his manner, and pounded the Book of Mormon
on the pulpit many times. He then exhorted the people
to pray that the Lord would drive us from their coast ;
and if the Lord would not hear them in that petition, that
He would smite the leaders.
"The next Sunday Elder Hyde and myself went to
our meeting room, read the thirteenth chapter of first
Corinthians, and strongly urged upon the people the
grace of charity which is so highly spoken of in that
chapter, and made some remarks on the proceedings of
the Reverend Robert Aitken, who had abused us and the
Book of Mormon so very much. In return for his rail-
ing we exhorted the Saints to pray that the Lord would
soften his heart and open his eyes that he might see that
it was hard to 'kick against the pricks.' This discourse
had a very good effect, and that week we had the pleas-
ure of baptizing fifty into the kingdom of Jesus, a large
number of whom were members of Mr. Aitken's church."
Thus did the sheep of Israel, straying in Idumean
pastures, continue flocking back into the Master's fold.
They knew the voice of their Shepherd when He called,,
and a stranger they would no longer follow.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE TEMPERANCE REFORM IN PRESTON A WORK PREPARA-
TORY TO THE GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE "COCK PIT"
HEBER WRITES HOME AN ACCOUNT OF HIS MISSION
THE WORK IN CUMBERLAND EPISODE OF MARY SMITH-
IES "SHE SHALL LIVE TO BECOME A MOTHER IN
ISRAEL."
ONE of the great movements in England, com-
menced just prior to the landing of the Elders, was the
temperance reform. Undoubtedly this was a work pre-
paratory to the advent of the Gospel, and one recognized
as such, not only by the Elders, but by their converts
connected with the temperance cause.
"In almost every place we went," says Elder Kim-
ball, "where there was a temperance hall, we could get
it to preach in, many believing that we made men tem-
perate faster than they did ; for as soon as any obeyed
the Gospel they abandoned their excesses in drinking;
none of us drank any kind of spirits, porter, small beer, or
even wine; neither did we drink tea, coffee or chocolate."
It is an interesting fact that this temperance move-
ment began in Preston, where later was first proclaimed
in Britain the glad tidings of the Gospel Very fitting
and appropriate, and quite in keeping with our theme, that
the lesser movement should thus precede the greater, and
from the same starting-point go forth preparing the way.
Herein, too, is sound Gospel philosophy. The spirit
of the Lord and the demon of alcohol are essentially
antagonistic. That which corrupts the body or darkens
the mind, has nothing in common with Mormonism.
1 66 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
The Holy Ghost dwelleth not in unclean tabernacles.
To be ready for the reception of that spirit which maketh
manifest the things of God, and retain its light within the
lamp of the soul, the heart must be pure, the mind
unclouded, the body clean and undefined.
On the first Sunday in September, 1837, the Saints
in Preston commenced holding meetings in what was
known as the "Cock Pit." It was a large and commo-
dious place, capable of seating eight hundred persons,
and situated in the center of the town. It had formerly
been used by the sporting fraternity for the purpose
indicated by its name, but recently had been converted
into a temperance hall. Says Heber, describing this
unique, historic edifice :
"The space for cock-fighting was an area of about
twelve or fifteen feet in the center, around which the
seats formed a circle, each seat rising about a foot above
another, till they reached the walls of the building.
When we leased it the area in the center was occupied
by the singers, and our pulpit was the place where the
judges formerly sat, who awarded the prizes at cock-
fights. We had to pay seven shillings per week for the
use of it, and two shillings per week for lighting ; it being
beautifully lit up with gas. The building was about
twenty-five feet from 'the Old Church,' probably the old-
est in Lancashire."
On the 6th of September Elder Kimball paid a visit
to the little branch in Walkerfold, where the Saints were
suffering much persecution. Some had been driven from
their homes, and otherwise ill treated for the cause of
Christ, by their own fathers and mothers. The sight of
Heber's face revived their sinking spirits, and they again
rejoiced in the Lord. Later in the month he again visited
the branch at Longridge and Walkerfold, and found it
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 167
prospering. Several more were added to the Church
during his stay. He next visited and preached at Barshe
Lees and Ribchester, baptizing two persons at the former
place, and then returned to Preston.
About this time Heber wrote a letter to his wife, in
Kirtland, giving some account of his mission. In it the
following passages occur :
'You stated in your letter that some of the Twelve
were coming to England next spring, calculating to bring
their wives with them. This I have no objections to, but
if they do they had better bring money to support them.
They had better take Brother Joseph's advice and leave
their wives at home, for if they bring them here they will
repent the day they did so. I do not wish to bring my
wife to this country to suffer. If they could see the
misery that I do they would not think of such a thing.
The Savior says, 4 he that is not willing to leave father
and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,
houses and lands, for my sake and the Gospel,
is not worthy of me.' We have hired our
lodgings since we have been here and bought our own
provisions. We eat but one meal a day at home, for the
brethren invite us to dinner and supper with them, and
they frequently divide their last loaf with us. They do
all in their power, and I feel to bless them in the name
of the Lord. There are 55 baptized in Preston, and it is
as much as they can do to live, and there are but two or
three that could lodge us over night if they should try ;
in fact there are some that have not a bed to sleep on
themselves. The Lord says 'take no thought for the
morrow,' and this is the way I feel for the present. I
commit myself into His hands, that I may always be
ready to go at His command. I desire to be content
with whatsoever situation I am placed in.
1 68 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"I feel contented about you. I know the Lord will
take care of you, and preserve you until I come home,
and feed you and' clothe you, and the children. Give
me your prayers and you shall have mine. Be faithful,
my dear companion ; our labors will soon be over, when
we shall meet to part no more forever."
Thus, it appears, the work in England was begin-
ning to attract the attention of the Church at home, and
stirring a desire in the breasts of the Apostles to ''thrust
in their sickles and reap " where the field was so " white
unto the harvest." Heber's practical advice about leav-
ing their wives at home while they went forth in the ministry,
had its effect upon the minds of the brethren, and the cus-
tom has prevailed from that day to this, almost uni-
versally throughout the foreign missions of the Church.
In the meantime how fared it with the brethren in
the north, Elder Russell and Priest Snyder, who had
been sent with the Gospel into Cumberland ?
"Brother Snyder returned from the north where he
had traveled in company with Brother Russell. He
stated that they met with considerable opposition while
preaching the gospel, that they had baptized about thirty,
and that others were investigating. After spending a
few days with us," says Elder Kimball, "he and brother
Goodson took their leave for America. Brother
Goodson pretended to have business of importance
which called him home. He had over 200 books of
Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants which he refused
to let me have, although I proffered to pay him the
money for them on my return to America. He carried
them back, and on arriving in Iowa Territory he burned
them, at which time he apostatized and left the Church.
"Although we were deprived of the labors of Broth-
ers Goodson and Snyder, the work of the Lord continued
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 169
to roll forth with great power, for those of us who
remained received greater strength. Calls from all quar-
ters to come and preach were constantly sounding in our
ears, and we labored night and day to satisfy the people,
who manifested such a desire for the truth as I never
saw before. We had to speak in small and very crowded
houses, and to large assemblies in the open air. Con-
sequently our lungs were often very sore, and our bodies
worn down with fatigue. Sometimes I was guilty of
breaking the priestly rules. I pulled off my coat and
rolled up my sleeves and went at my duty with my whole
soul, like a man reaping and binding wheat, which
caused the hireling priests to be very much surprised.
They found much fault with us, and threatened us con-
tinually, because we got all of their best members. We
told them all we wanted was the wheat; they could keep
the rest."
Next comes an interesting incident in Heber's min-
istry, relating closely to one branch ol his numerous
family. Says he :
"I will mention a circumstance in relation to the
first child born in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints in Great Britain, which was on the jth of
October, 1837, at Barshe Lees. She was the daughter
of James and Nancy Smithies, formerly Nancy Knowles.
After she was born her parents wanted to take her to
the church to be sprinkled, or christened, as they call it.
I used every kind of persuasion to convince them of
their folly ; it being contrary to the scriptures and the
will of God; the parents wept bitterly, and it seemed as
though I could not prevail on them to omit it. I wanted
to know of them why they were so tenacious. The
answer was, 'if she dies she cannot have a burial in the
churchyard.' I said to them, ' Brother and Sister Smithies,
I7O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
I say unto you in the name of Israel's God, she shall not
die on this land, for she shall live until she becomes a
mother in Israel, and I say it in the name of Jesus Christ
and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood vested in me/
That silenced them, and when she was two weeks old
they presented the child to me ; I took it in my arms and
blessed it, that it should live to become a mother in
Israel. She was the first child blessed in that country,
and the first born unto them."
The child's name was Mary Smithies. She grew
to womanhood, emigrating with her parents to America,
and became Heber's wife, and the mother of five of his
children.
Apostle Kimball next took a tour through some vil-
lages south of Preston, in company with Brother Francis
Moon. The people "flocked in crowds" to hear him.
At Longridge five preachers were among the large con-
gregation of interested listeners. At Eccleston he had
the privilege a rare one of preaching in a Methodist
chapel. During this journey he baptized ten persons,
two of whom were Methodist preachers.
By this time the Church in Preston had become
numerous, and it was found necessary to organize them
into five branches, which was accordingly done on the 8th
of October. Priests and Teachers were ordained to take
charge of the branches. Thursday evenings were set
apart for prayer meetings in various places, and on the
Sabbath the whole body assembled at the main hall to
partake of the sacrament, and receive general instruc-
tions. The greatest harmony and love prevailed, and
"as little children" the Saints rejoiced in doing the will
of God. Heber spent the principal part of his time in
the country, "leaving Preston Monday mornings, and
returning on Saturday evenings."
CHAPTER XXII.
HEBER WRITES TO WILLARD IN BEDFORD THE ELDERS
BECOME LICENSED PREACHERS THE "MILK" AND
"MEAT OF THE WORD " RAPID SPREAD OF THE WORK
MIRACLES HEBER'S DREAM OF THE BULL AND FIELD
OF GRAIN A DISAPPOINTED MOB.
FEELING some anxiety about the work in Bedford,
where Elder Richards was still laboring, Heber wrote to
him as follows :
"PRESTON, OCT. i2th, 1837.
"Dear Brother Richards:
"With pleasure I take my pen in hand to let
you know that I have not forgotten you. Brother Hyde
and myself have labored all the time, night and day, so
that we have not had much time to sleep. There are
calls on the right and left. In Preston there are about
one hundred and sixty members. At Walkerfold I have
built up one branch ; one in Barshe Lees, in Yorkshire ;
one in Ribchester; one in Penwortham, and one in
Thornley. We have built up those branches besides
laboring in Preston nearly all the time ; so you can judge
whether or no we have been idle. There are ten calls
where we can only fill one. Have had a very bad cold
on my lungs, so that I have had to hold up for a few
days, to recruit my health. Our congregations have
been so large that our lungs have failed to make all
the people hear. Brother Fielding has been with me
part of the time ; he has not preached much, but has
baptized, and visited from house to house.
"The harvest is ripe and many are thirsting for the
word of life. May God give you energy to go forth in
His name, and cry aloud and spare not; and I say unto
you, Brother Richards, if you stay in that place much
1/2 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
longer there will contentions arise, until the little branch
will be broken up and scattered to the four winds. And
I say this in the name of the Lord : go forth into the
country without purse or scrip, as God has commanded,
and if you should leave the branch two or three weeks
the Saints will take no harm, and the Lord will bless you
in so doing. Go fifteen or twenty miles ; cry repentance,
and let the big things alone ; for this is the way that the
hearts of the people are closed up in Bedford, by
Elder Goodson preaching those things he was com-
manded to let alone. I have scarcely meddled with the
prophecies ; I have only preached the first principles of
the Gospel to the people, doing the same that I teach
you to do. The churches in the country I stay with a
few days, and then leave them two or three weeks ; they
are praising the Lord and are glad to see me when I
visit them.
''Brother Richards, I am not forgetful of your kind-
ness to me and the brethren while with us ; but I have a
godly jealousy over you for your welfare and prosperity
in the cause of Christ.
"HEBER C. KIMBALL."
Willard, it appears, had been praying to receive the
mind and will of the Lord through his brethren, the
Apostles, to direct him in his labors. His prayer being
answered, he went forth with renewed energy, preach-
ing and baptizing, laboring diligently and with success,
until March, 1838, when he returned to Preston.
Heber continues: "The effect of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ now began to be apparent, not only in the
hearts of believers, but likewise in the hearts of those
who rejected it. Our meeting in Preston being disturbed
by the Methodist ministers, we got our hall licensed, and
two gentlemen named Joseph Brown and Arthur
Burrows, who were policemen, proffered their services to
preserve the peace, and protect us from any further dis-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 173
turbance ; which they continued to do as long as we
stayed in that land. Many began to persecute us for
preaching without a license from the authority of the
nation. This idea of obtaining a license from the secular
authority was somewhat novel to us ; but after consult-
ing our friends, amongst whom was Mr. John Richards'
son, an attorney practising in Preston, we found it was
according to the laws of England. Brothers Hyde and I
therefore made application to the Quarter Sessions and
obtained licenses, by the assistance of Mr. Richards ; and
for which service he refused compensation.
"The following is a copy of my license :
" 'LANCASHIRE (
) This is to certify that at the General
Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held by adjournment at
Preston in and for said county, the eighteenth day of
October, in the first year of the reign of Her Majesty,
Queen Victoria, Heber Chase Kimball came before the
justices present, and did then and there in open court,
take the oaths appointed to be taken, instead of the oaths
of allegiance and supremacy ; and also the abjurgation
oath ; and subscribed his name thereto, pursuant to the
several laws in that behalf made and provided.
"'E. GORST,
'"Deputy Clerk of the Peace in and
for said county.'
" Having now obeyed the requisitions of the law,
we felt ourselves tolerably secure, knowing that our
enemies could not lawfully harm us. I wrote to Brother
Richards that I had taken the oath to be true to Her
Majesty and see that the laws were executed, also the
abjurgation oath provided for foreigners who were not
naturalized, and obtained a license as a preacher of the
Gospel ; and recommended him to clo the same at Bed-
174 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
ford : but they made him take the oath of allegiance
before they granted him his license to preach. After we
had obtained our licenses, to our surprise we found
there were only a few licensed preachers in Preston ;
and when they abused me I told them if they did not cease
their abuse I would see the laws put in force according
to the oaths I had taken ; and this generally silenced
them.
''Although we had many persecutors who would
have rejoiced at our destruction, and who felt determined
to overthrow the work of the Lord, yet there were many
who were friendly, who would have stood by us under
all circumstances, and would not have been afraid to
hazard their lives in our behalf. The church in Preston
now numbered two or three hundred souls, with more
being added continually.
"November izj-th, I wrote to Willard Richards,
exhorting him to teach the first principles of the Gospel
only ; telling him that if the people would not receive
them they would not receive anything else ; the more
simple he could be, the better it would be for his hearers,
Brother Goodson having left about 20 Books of Mormon
in his possession, I told him to sell all that he could,
either to saint or sinner ; to get him some clothes, and
to make himself warm and comfortable."
The wisdom of the Apostle's counsel to give first
the "milk of the word" to those who were infants in
faith, reserving the ' ' meat' ' for such as became strong, is self-
evident. No vessel can contain beyond its capacity.
Food, in kind and quantity, must ever keep pace with the
growth, and be suited to the condition of the one to
whom it is administered.
It is human nature to oppose that which is new.
The pride of man revolts at the idea of admitting himself
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 175
in error, and his preconceived notions to be false, or even
defective. The flesh, naturally inert, dislikes change that
brings toil and study, even for the soul's salvation. Self-
interest pleads in various ways, in favor of the old, and
against the new. Thus hoary tradition, antique
error, sits warmed and comforted, a welcome guest, alike
in palace and in hovel, while Truth, a pilgrim, hungry
and cold, without stands shivering in the frosty air.
All truth may be new to the ignorant, though old as
eternity to the Gods, and whom the Gods make wise.
Much that is true, is not expedient. The Prophet Joseph
could not tell all he knew, even to the Elders ; nor the Eld-
ers all they knew to the people, Paul, caught up unto
''the third heaven;" Joseph, unto "the seventh heaven,"
saw and heard things unspeakable, things "unlawful to
be uttered." The mysteries of God's kingdom are not
for the world, nor for novices in the faith until it is wis-
dom in the Lord, "lest they perish."
The effect of Elder Goodson's folly in reading to
the Reverend Mr. Matthews the vision of the triple
glories, when his mind was just beginning to grasp the
Gospel's first principles sufficiently novel and far
enough advanced to test his neophyte faith to the utmost
is only one of many like instances in Mormon mission-
ary experience. Prudence demands that truth be incul-
cated by gradual degrees. "Cry nothing but repentance
to this generation," is a word of supreme wisdom to the
Lord's servants, laboring in His vineyard among the ten-
der vines and fragile flowers of humanity. Eagles build
their nests in strong and high places. Truth is loftier
and mightier than many eagles.
The Apostle's record continues:
"Having an appointment to preach in the village of
Wrightington, while on the way I stopped at the houses
176 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
of Brothers Francis Moon and Amos Fielding, when I
was informed that the family of Matthias Moon had sent
a request for me to visit them, that they might have the
privilege of conversing with me on the subject of the
Gospel. Accordingly Brother Amos Fielding and I paid
them a visit that evening. We were very kindly received
by the family, and had considerable conversation on the
subject of my mission to England, and the great work
of the Lord in the last days. They listened with atten-
tion to my statements, but at the same time they appeared
to be prejudiced against them. We remained in conver-
sation until a late hour, and then returned home. On
our way Brother Fielding observed that he thought our
visit had been in vain, as the family seemed to have con-
siderable prejudice. I answered, 'be not faithless but
believing ; we shall yet see great effects from this visit,
for I know that some of the family have received the
testimony, and will shortly manifest the same ; ' at which
remark he seemed surprised.
''The next morning I continued my journey to
Wrightington and Hunter's Hill. After spending two
or three days in that vicinity preaching, I baptized seven
of the family of Benson, and others, and organized a
branch.
"I returned by the way of Brother Fielding's, with
whom I again tarried for the night. The next morning
I started for Preston, but when I got opposite the lane
leading to Mr. Moon's, I was forcibly led by the Spirit of
the Lord to call and see them again. I therefore directed
my steps to the house. On my arrival I knocked at the
door. Mrs. Moon exclaimed, 'come in ! come in! You
are welcome here ! I and the lassies (meaning her
daughters) have just been calling on the Lord, and pray-
ing that He would send you this way.' She then
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 177
informed me of her state of mind since I was there, and
said she at first rejected my testimony, and endeavored
to think lightly on the things I had advanced, but on try-
ing to pray, the heavens seemed to be like brass over
her head, and it was like iron under her feet. She did
not know what was the matter, saying, 'certainly the man
has not bewitched me has he?' and upon inquiring she
found it was the same with the lassies. They then began
to reflect on the things I told them, and thinking it possi-
ble that I had told them the truth, they resolved to lay
the case before the Lord, and beseech Him to give them
a testimony concerning the things I had testified of. She
then observed that as soon as they did so light broke in
upon their minds ; they were convinced that I was a
messenger of salvation ; that it was the work of the Lord,
and they had resolved to obey the Gospel. That evening
I baptized Mr. Moon and his wife, and four of their
daughters.
"The same night I went to Leyland, and stayed with
Francis Moon, and the next morning I went to Preston
where I stayed about three weeks with Brother Hyde.
"During this time our enemies were not idle; they
heaped abuse upon us with an unsparing hand and issued
torrents of lies concerning us, which I am thankful to
say did not injure us. Among those most active in pub-
lishing falsehoods against us and the truth were many of
the clergy, who were afraid to meet us face to face in
honorable debate, although particularly requested so to
do. We, only asked three clays' notice of the time of
discussion, so as to notify the people. But they sought
every opportunity to try to destroy our characters, and
propagate their lies concerning us, thus showing that
they loved darkness rather than light. We frequently
called upon the ministers of various denominations, who
12
178 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
had taken a stand against us, to come forward and inves-
tigate our religion before the world, in an honorable
manner, and bring forth their strong reasons to disprove
the things we taught, and convince the people by sound
argument and the word of God, if they could, that we
did not preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This they
declined. They kept at a respectful distance, and only
came out when they knew we were absent, with misrep-
resentations and abuse. It is true we suffered some
from the statements which they thought proper to make,
when we could not get an opportunity to contradict
them ; but generally their reports were of such a charac-
ter as carried their own refutation with them.
'T visited Mr. Moon again, and baptized the remain-
der of his family, consisting of thirteen souls, the young-
est of whom was over twenty years of age. They
received the Gospel as little children, and rejoiced
exceedingly in its blessings. The sons were very good
musicians, and the daughters excellent singers. When
they united their instruments and voices in the songs of
Zion, the effect was truly transporting.
"Before I left England there were about thirty of
that family and connections baptized, five of whom,
Hugh, John, Francis, William and Thomas Moon, were
ordained to be fellow laborers with us in the vineyard,
and I left them rejoicing in the truths they had embraced.
"In all my labors I was greatly assisted by the Spirit
of the Lord, and my soul was comforted exceedingly;
for the sick were healed, the lame walked, and in several
cases where persons had lain upon their beds in a con-
sumptive state for many years and were not able to sit
up, they would be taken in a carriage, perhaps a mile, to
the water, where I baptized, laid my hands upon them
and confirmed them, that they might receive the Holy
LIFE OF IIEBER C. KIMBALL. 179
Ghost, and rebuked their disease in the name of Jesus
Christ, and said unto them 'be thou made whole,' and
they would leap and shout glory to God, and begin to
mend from that hour. This was a common occurrence
on our first mission to England. Many scores of per-
sons were healed by our sending a handkerchief to them.
"I was instrumental in building up churches in the
following places, viz.; Eccleston, Wrightington, Askin,
Dauber's Lane, Plxton, Chorley, Whittle, Hunter's Hill,
and Leyland Moss, after laboring about four weeks, and
baptizing in the neighborhood of two hundred persons,
which caused me to rejoice that I had not labored in vain.
More loving and affectionate Saints I never saw before ;
they were patterns of humility. All the above villages are
within a short distance of each other, and near to Preston.
" After my return from those places I took a tour to
the northeast of Preston, in company with Brother
Joseph Fielding, where we labored a short time with
considerable success, and raised up churches in Ribches-
ter, Thornley, Stoney Gate Lane, and at Clithero, a
market town containing several thousand inhabitants.
At Clithero I baptized a preacher named Thomas Smith
and six members of the Methodist Church, immediately
after I had preached the first time.
"One night while at the village of Ribchester I
dreamed that in company with another person I was
walking, and we saw a very extensive field of wheat;
more so than the eye could reach ; such a sight I had
never witnessed. The wheat appeared perfectly ripe
and ready for harvest. I was very much rejoiced at the
glorious sight which presented itself; but judge of my
surprise, when on taking some of the ears and rubbing
them in my hands, I found nothing but smut ; not any
sound grain could I find. I marveled exceedingly and
l8o LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
felt very sorrowful, and exclaimed 'what will the people
do for grain ! Here is a great appearance of plenty, but
there is no sound wheat.'
"While contemplating the scenery, I looked in
another direction, and saw a small field in the form of
the letter L, which had the appearance of something
growing in it. I immediately directed my steps to it,
and found that it had been sown with wheat, some of
which had grown up six inches high, other parts of the
field not quite so high, and some had just sprouted.
This gave me some encouragement to expect that at the
harvest there would be some good grain. While thus
engaged, a large bull, looking very fierce and angry,
leaped over the fence, ran through the field, and stamped
down a large quantity of that which had just sprouted,
and after doing considerable injury he leaped over the
fence and ran away. I felt very much grieved that so
much wheat should be destroyed when there was such a
prospect of scarcity.
"When I awoke next morning the interpretation
was given me. The large field with the great appear-
ance of grain, so beautiful to look upon, represented the
nation in which I then resided ; which had a very pleas-
ing appearance and a good show of religion ; which made
great pretensions to piety and goodness, and conse-
quently of the gifts of the Spirit. The small field I saw,
clearly represented the region of country where I was
laboring, and where the word of truth had taken root,
which was in the shape of the letter L, and it was grow-
ing in the hearts of those who had the gospel, some
places having grown a little more than others. The
village I was in was that part of the field where the bull
did so much injury ; for during my short visit there, most
of the inhabitants were believing, but as soon as I
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. l8l
departed, a clergyman belonging to the Church of Eng-
land came out and violently attacked the truth, made a
considerable noise, crying, "False Prophet ! Delusion !"
and after trampling on truth and doing all the mischief
he could before I returned, he took shelter in his pulpit.
" However he did not destroy all the seed, for after
my return I was instrumental in building up a branch in
Ribchester. A mob of Catholics had combined, that
when I went to baptize any persons they would pelt me
with stones. I made arrangements with each of the can-
didates to go singly to the place of baptism, and about
the time the last one got there I started quickly, got to
the place and baptized them all. As I was baptizing the
last one the mob came up and were disappointed in their
vengeance, for I came out of the water, and they did not
know how many I had baptized."
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE VOICE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD HEBER CONVERTS
WHOLE VILLAGES THE SPIRIT OF THE MASTER UPON
HIS SERVANT THE CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE IN
PRESTON.
" MY sheep know my voice, and a stranger they
will not follow." So said the Shepherd of Israel.
The test is true in all time. How many in these
latter days bear witness, that, until Mormonism came,
they had no religion, and desired none, but were
instantly converted on first hearing it proclaimed. Again,
1 82 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
how many wandered in quest of it, from church to
church, from creed to creed, scarce knowing what they
sought, yet conscious of "an aching void" which nothing
else could fill, and only happy when at last it was
supplied.
"My sheep know my voice, and a stranger they
will not follow."
A remarkable instance of this truth now occurred in
Heber's ministry. Says he:
" Having mentioned my intention of going to Down-
ham and Chatburn, to several of the brethren, they
endeavoured to dissuade me from going, informing me
there could be no prospect of success whatever, as
several ministers of different denominations had
endeavored in vain to raise churches in these places, and
had frequently preached to them, but to no effect, as they
had resisted all the efforts and withstood the attempts of
all sects and parties for the last thirty years, who, seeing
all their attempts fail, had given them up to hardness of
heart. I was also informed they were very wicked places.
However this did not discourage me, believing that the
Gospel of Jesus Christ could reach the heart, when the
gospels of men proved abortive ; I consequently told
those brethren that these were the places I wanted
to go to, for that it was my business not to call the
righteous but sinners to repentance.
"The next day we received a very pressing invita-
tion to preach in Chatburn, but having given out an
appointment to preach in Clithero that evening, I
informed them that I would not be able to comply with
their request that night ; this did not satisfy them, they
continued to solicit me with the greatest importunity,
until I was obliged to consent to remain with them, and
o
requested Elder Fielding to attend to the appointment at
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 183
Clithero ; there was a feeling of reluctance on his part to
go, as he feared the rabble might break up his meeting ;
but seeing the importunity of the people that I should
stay with them in Chatburn, he consented to go to
Clithero alone. As he feared it might be, so it was ; his
meeting was broken up.
"In Chatburn I was cordially received by the inhab-
itants, who turned out in great numbers to hear me
preach. They procured a large tithing barn, placing a
barrel in the center, upon which I stood. I preached to
them the first principles of the Gospel, spoke in simplic-
ity upon the principles revealed by our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, the conditions of pardon for a fallen world
and the blessings and privileges of those who embraced
the truth; I likewise said a little on the subject of the
resurrection. My testimony was accompanied by the
Spirit of the Lord, and was received with joy, and these
people who had been represented as being hard and
obdurate, were melted into tenderness and love. I told
them that, being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I
stood ready at all times to administer the ordinances of
the Gospel, and explained what was necessary to prepare
them for baptism ; that when they felt to repent of and
forsake their sins, they were ready to be baptized for the
remission of sins, like the jailor and his household, and
Cornelius and his house. When I concluded I felt some-
one pulling at my coat, exclaiming, 'Maister, Maister,'
I turned round and asked what was wanted. Mrs.
Elizabeth Partington said, ' Please sir, will you baptize
me?' 'And me?' 'And me?' exclaimed more than a
dozen voices. Accordingly I went down into the water
and baptized twenty-five. I was engaged in this duty,
and confirming them and conversing with the people
until after midnight.
184 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"The next morning I returned to Downham, and
baptized between twenty-five and thirty in the course of
the day.
"The next evening I returned to Chatburn. The
congregation was so numerous that I had to preach in
the open air, and took my stand on a stone wall, and
afterwards baptized several. These villages seemed to
be affected from one end to the other ; parents called
their children together, spoke to them on the subjects
which I had preached about, and warned them against
swearing and all other evil practices, and instructed them
in their duty.
" We were absent from Preston five days, during
which time Brother Fielding and I baptized and confirmed
about no persons; organized branches in Downham,
Chatburn, Waddington and Clithero ; and ordained sev-
eral to the lesser Priesthood, to preside. This was the
first time the people in those villages ever heard our
voices, or saw an American.
"I cannot refrain from relating an occurrence which
took place while Brother Fielding and myself were pass-
ing through the village of Chatburn on our way to Down-
ham: having been observed approaching the village, the
news ran from house to house, and immediately the noise
of their looms was hushed, and the people flocked to
their doors to welcome us and see us pass. More than
forty young people of the place ran to meet us ; some
took hold of our mantles and then of each others' hands ;
several having hold of hands went before us singing the
songs of Zion, while their parents gazed upon the scene
with delight, and poured their blessings upon our heads,
and praised the God of heaven for sending us to unfold
the principles of truth and the plan of salvation to them.
The children continued with us to Downham, a mile dis-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 185
tant. Such a scene, and such gratitude, I never witnessed
before. 'Surely,' my heart exclaimed, 'out of the mouths
of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise.'
What could have been more pleasing and delightful than
such a manifestation of gratitude to Almighty God ; and
from those whose hearts were deemed too hard to be
penetrated by the Gospel, and who had been considered
the most wicked and hardened people in that region of
country."
A rare scene, indeed, and a suggestive one, for the
parallel of which the mind must leap backward nigh two
thousand years :
"On the next day, much people that were come to
the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to
Jerusalem,
"Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to
meet him, and cried, Hosanna ; Blessed is the King of
Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
"The Pharisees therefore said among themselves,
Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world
is gone after him."
So was it with this servant of Christ, this brother
of Jesus in the British Isles. The hireling priests, the
pharisees of Christendom, prevailed nothing. The
"world went after him," whole villages at a sweep, sing-
ing praises, and shouting in tones of rapture: "Blessed
is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
There was divine harmony in all this. In Heber,
his character, manner and methods we say it reverently
there was much of the Christ ; the micrht of the lion,
o
with the meekness of the lamb. His, also, was the
Savior's lineage ; in his heart a kindred spirit, in his veins
the self-same blood. Where causes are similar, should
there not spring similar results ?
1 86 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
And is it not truly a Christ-like sentiment, with
which he concludes his description of that wonderful
scene:
( Tn comparison to the joy I then experienced, the
grandeur, pomp and glory of the kingdoms of this world
shrank into insignificance, and appeared as dross, and all
the honor of man aside from the Gospel as vanity. The
prayer of my heart was, ' O Lord do thou bless this peo-
ple, save them from sin, and prepare them for Thy celes-
tial kingdom, and that Thy servant may meet them round
Thy throne; and grant, O Lord, that I may continue to
preach the Gospel of Christ, which shall cause the hearts
of the poor to rejoice, and the meek to increase their joy
in the Lord ; which shall comfort the hearts of the wid-
ows and cheer the soul of the orphan ; and that I may
be an instrument in Thy hands of bringing them to Zion,
that they may behold Thy glory and be prepared to meet
the Savior when He shall descend in the clouds of
heaven."
On Christmas a special conference was held in
Preston by the Apostles. About three hundred of the
Saints assembled, delegates being present from the
various branches in and around Preston, extending some
thirty miles. Joseph Fielding was ordained an Elder,
and ten Priests and seven Teachers were ordained and
set apart to take charge of the several branches where
they resided.
At this conference, the Word of Wisdom, the tem-
perance revelation of the Church, was first publicly
taught in Great Britain. The Elders had taught it more
by example than precept heretofore. It became almost
universally observed among the brethren. In the <l Cock
Pit," where this conference was held, had first been lifted
the standard of temperance reform. It was the motto
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 1 87
on one of the banners of this movement, "Truth will
Prevail," which greeted the Elders so opportunely, as an
omen of success now verified, on their arrival in Preston
from Liverpool, five months before. Says Apostle Kim-
ball:
"The Spirit of the Lord was with us; and truly the
hearts of the Elders were rejoiced beyond measure when
we contemplated the glorious work which had been done,
and we had to exclaim, 'Blessed be the name of the Lord,
who has crowned our labors with such success!' Dur-
ing the conference we confirmed fourteen members and
blessed about one hundred children."
One hundred little children blessed in Preston,
Christmas, 1837 !
A beautiful and fitting celebration of that blessed
day of days, when "unto us a Child was born" to take
away the sins of the world ; when God descended from
His throne and took upon Him flesh, exchanging crown
for cross, and sceptred rule for martyrdom, in the cause
of man's redemption. Shine out, ye blazing stars, and
sun and moon give forth your warmth and lustre ! Ye
cannot dim the glory, nor vie the matchless love, of Him
who set you there to light and cheer, on, onward to
celestial heights the world He died to save !
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE WORK OF GOD NOT DEPENDENT UPON MAN HUMIL-
ITY A SOURCE OF POWER EVERY MAN CHOSEN AND
FITTED FOR HIS SPHERE EXAMPLE OF PAUL THE
APOSTLE HEBER "HITS THE ROCK" IN LONGTON
THE APOSTLES VISIT THE BRANCHES PRIOR TO RE-
TURNING TO AMERICA.
PREACHING the Gospel and converting sinners unto
Christ never yet depended for success upon man's learn-
ing or the music of oratory. The unlettered fishermen
of Galilee, proclaiming in simple words "Christ cruci-
fied," were far more powerful in winning souls from
error's ways and melting the hearts of the multitude, than
would all the orators have been ; the Herods, Ciceros, or
Demosthenes, of Judea, Greece and Rome.
The reason is not, as some suppose, that learning
and oratory are valueless in the cause of Christ, or nec-
essarily a hindrance, as was Saul's armor upon youthful
David. The example of the eloquent and erudite Paul
suffices to disprove such a fallacy. The secret is simply
this : that God had chosen those humble fishermen, and
not the learned orators of the age, for that especial work,
and endowed them with power from on high. No
man, learned or unlearned, can build up God's Kingdom,
except He be with him, and the Holy Ghost work through
him. God is the cloer of His work, not man, and no
flesh can glory in His presence. It was the Holy Ghost
in Paul, as it was the Holy Ghost in Peter, not the learn-
ing or illiteracy of either, that wrought the wonders of
which they were capable.
LIFE OF IIEBER C. KIMBALL. 189
The Holy Ghost dwells only in hearts that are pure
and humble. Humility, next to virtue, is the one grand
requisite of a servant of God. Pride and vanity are
synonyms of weakness ; humility, another name for
strength. Men of learning and language, whom nature
and education have made "spokesmen," need not be any
less humble though men of little learning and much
language are very apt to be. Pride, in rags or in purple,
is the offspring of ignorance ; while learning is the parent
of humility.
The eloquent and learned man, humble and filled
with the Holy Ghost, is manifestly more capable, in his
sphere, and more successful, than one without his advan-
tages would be. But turn the tables, reverse the condi-
tions, and, in his sphere, the unlearned man, intelligent,
God-fearing and inspired, looms a giant, where his more
polished brother might seem a pigmy by comparison.
The faculty of adapting self to circumstances is invalua-
ble for the missionary to possess. In saying that he was
"all things to all men," the brave and faithful Paul did
not brand himself a hypocrite. Rather, did he not mean
he could accommodate himself to his surroundings;
enter into the feelings and sympathies of "all men:" the
high, the low, the rich, the poor, the learned and the illit-
erate ; at home in palace or in hovel ; feasting in gratitude
at luxury's board, or sharing thankfully the crust of pov-
erty ; holding spell-bound by his oratory the charmed
sages of Athens, or melting his jailor's heart with the
simple pathos of his tale.
Such was Paul, the eloquent and learned Apostle ; a
vessel formed and fashioned, like all others, for his work.
It was his mission to be "brought before Caesar" ; the
mission of most of his brethren to preach, like their
Master, "the Gospel to the poor." It will yet fall to the
IQO LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
lot of God's servants to stand before kings and rulers,
as did Elijah, Nathan and Daniel of old. But in the
days of Heber, of Joseph, and of Brigham, the Gospel
was chiefly to the poor and humble, who received it
gladly and rejoiced in the God of their salvation.
Returning now to the Apostles in Preston :
4 'Immediately after the conference," wrote Heber,
" Elder Hyde and I went to a village near the sea shore
called Longton, where we published to the listening
crowds the glad tidings of salvation. Brothers Hyde
and Goodson had preached several discourses there,
and numbers were believing, but none had been
baptized. The people asked Brother Hyde why he did
not 'bring Kimball down, to hit the rock a crack with
his big sledge and let the water flow out.' I preached
from Hebrews 6th chapter, ist verse: 'Therefore not
leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go
on unto perfection ; not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.'
I preached a plain and simple discourse, and according
to my calling I taught them to repent and be baptized,
that they might be saved, and if they did not they would
be damned. Elder Hyde bore testimony. After meet-
ing I baptized ten, and in the morning after, several more.
It being very cold weather the streams all frozen over
we had to repair to the sea to administer the ordinance.
"January 24th, I left Preston and went to Longton
with Brother Hyde. We preached once each, and
baptized ten ; from thence returned to Preston and
stayed two or three days. Then I started on a mission
to Eccleston and other places, visiting six branches and
strengthening them. I was absent about eighteen days
and baptized fifteen ; the weather being so cold that
many dared not go into the water. Returned to
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 19 1
Preston and stayed three days. On the Sabbath Elder
Hyde and myself administered the sacrament and con-
firmed twelve. From thence went to Longton and bap-
tized three, ordained one priest, one teacher, and one
deacon, and blessed about thirty children. Again
returned to Preston. From thence went to Whittle ;
preached once, and baptized five ; and returned to
Preston February 23rd.
"From this time to our departure from England we
were continually engaged in the work of the ministry,
proclaiming the everlasting Gospel in all the regions
round, and baptizing all who believed and repented of
their sins. The Holy Ghost, the comforter, was given
to us and abode with us in a remarkable manner."
"The time when we expected to return to our
native land being near at hand, it was considered best
for us to spend the short time we had to remain in visit-
ing and organizing the branches ; placing such officers
over them, and giving such instructions as would be
beneficial to them during our absence. Accordingly
Brothers Hyde, Fielding and myself visited a branch
nearly every day, and imparted such instructions as the
Spirit directed. We first visited the branches south of
Preston, and after spending some time in that direction
we journeyed to the north, accompanied by Brother
Willard Richards, who had returned from Bedford March
7th, where he had been proclaiming the Gospel. In con-
sequence of sickness his labors had not been so
extensive as they otherwise would have been, and were
confined within a short distance of the city of Bedford,
where he raised up two small branches of about forty
members, which he set in order, and ordained James
Lavender an Elder, and other officers to preside. He
had labored under considerable difficulty in consequence
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
of the conduct of Elder Goodson, who taught many
things which were not in wisdom, and which proved a
barrier to the spread of the truth in that region. His
health being poor, he was not able to preach much.
"While we were attending to our duties in that sec-
tion we received a very pressing invitation from a Bap-
tist church, through the medium of their deacon, to pay
them a visit, stating that the society were exceedingly
anxious to hear from our lips the wonderful things we
had proclaimed in the regions round about. We endea-
vored to excuse ourselves from going, as our engage-
ments were such that it would require the short time we
had to stay to attend them. They seemed determined
not to take a denial and pleaded with such earnestness
that we could not resist their entreaties, and we finally
consented to go and preach once. Having arrived at
the village, which was between Downham and Burnley,
we found a large congregation already assembled in the
Baptist chapel, anxiously waiting our arrival. The min-
ister gave out the hymns and Elder Hyde spoke on the
resurrection with great effect, after which the minister
gave out another hymn, which was sung by the assembly,
and then he requested me to address them. I spoke
briefly on the first principles of the Gospel. During the
services the congregation was overjoyed, tears ran down
their cheeks, and the minister could not refrain from fre-
quently clapping his hands for joy, while in the meeting.
After the service was over he took us to his house where
we were very kindly entertained. After partaking of
his hospitality, he with some more friends accompanied
us to our lodgings, where we remained in conversation
until a very late hour. The next morning while we were
preparing to depart we were waited upon by several of
the citizens who requested us to preach again that day,
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 193
stating that great interest was felt by the inhabitants,
many of whom were in tears, fearing they should hear us
no more, and that a number of influential men had sus-
pended operations in their factories to allow their work-
men the privilege of hearing us preach ; but we were
obliged to deny them, as it was necessary to attend to
the appointments we had previously made. We could
scarcely go away from them, and when we did so they
wept like little children. Such a desire to hear the Gos-
pel I never saw equalled before.
"After commending them to the grace and mercy of
God, we went to Downham, where we preached in the
afternoon, after which we baptized several and confirmed
forty. In the evening we called the churches of Chat-
burn, Downham, Clithero and Waddington together, and
after confirming some, we ordained Priests, Teachers and
Deacons to preside over the branches.
"From thence we went to Preston, and after a short
stay visited Penwortham and Longton, and organized the
churches in those places, which numbered about fifty
members each."
CHAPTER XXV.
CONDITION OF THE CHURCH AT HOME PRUNING OFF THE
DEAD BRANCHES A DAY OF CHOOSING APOSTATES
CONSPIRE TO OVERTHROW THE CHURCH FLIGHT OF
THE PROPHET FROM KIRTLAND FALL OF OLIVER
COWDERY AND OTHER APOSTLES "SHOW UNTO US
THY WILL, O LORD, CONCERNING THE TWELVE!"
WHILE the Apostles are setting in order the Church
in England, preparatory to their departure for America,
let us fly before them over the sea and note some of the
changes which have taken place since they left Kirt-
land.
The Church had suffered terribly from the ravages
of apostasy. At no time in its history has it seemed so
near destruction, as in the early part of 1837, the period
of the opening of the British Mission. The causes are
noted elsewhere in these pages, and deserve a niche in
the temple of memory for all time. The Ohio mobbings,
the Missouri persecutions, the martyrdom, the exodus,
nor all that Zion's cause has suffered since, have
imperilled it half so much as when mammon and the love
of God strove for supremacy in the hearts of His people,
and the Saints, for a time forgetful of their high calling,
laid aside their spiritual mission and went groveling after
"the beggarly elements of the world."
Only once in the history of the work, has its
almighty Author found it necessary to reveal that
"something new must be done for the salvation of the
Church."
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 195
That "something new," as we have seen, was a
great spiritual movement, to counteract the tendency to
carnal or temporal things, which was resting like the
sleep of death upon the drooping eyelids of the Zion of
God.
To root out the deadly Upas-tree, rouse Zion from
her slumber beneath its pestilential shade, and prune off
the withered branches from the Tree of Life, was the
first care of the Prophet after despatching the Elders for
England.
A conference assembled " in committee of the whole
Church" at Kirtland, on Sunday, September 3rd, 1837.
At this conference the various quorums of the Priest-
hood were presented to the people for their action.
President Sidney Rigdon presented the name of
Joseph Smith, junior, to the Church, to know if they still
looked upon him as the President of the whole Church,
and would receive and sustain him in that position.
The vote was unanimous in the affirmative.
President Smith then presented Sidney Rigdon and
Frederick G. Williams as his counselors, and to consti-
tute with himself the three first Presidents of the Church.
Elder Rigdon was sustained unanimously, but the
motion failed as to F. G. Williams. President
Smith then put in nomination Oliver Cowdery,
Joseph Smith, senior, Hyrum Smith, and John Smith, as
assistant counselors ; these four, together with the first
three, to be considered the heads of the Church. Carried
unanimously.
It was voted that Newel K. Whitney continue to
hold his office as Bishop in Kirtland, and that Reynolds
Cahoon and Jared Carter continue to act as the Bishop's
counselors.
The Twelve Apostles were then presented, one by
196 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
one, when Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham
Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt,
William Smith and William E. McLellin, were received
and unanimously sustained in their Apostleship. Luke
Johnson, Lyman Johnson and John F. Boynton were
rejected and cut off, though given the privilege of con-
fessing and making satisfaction. The cause of the diffi-
culty with Elders Boynton and Johnson was their "leav-
ing their calling to attend to other occupations."
Five members of the High Council were also
objected to by the people, and new ones chosen in
their stead. John Gaylord, James Forster, Salmon Gee,
Daniel S. Miles, Joseph Young, Josiah Butterfield and
Levi Hancock were retained in office as Presidents of
the Seventies, while John Gold was rejected.
A similar conference was held at Far West, Cald-
well County, Missouri, then the head-quarters of the
Church in that region, on the 7th of November 1837, and
another on the 5th of February, 1838. The Priesthood
was reorganized and the Church set in order, in the
same manner as had been done in Kirtland. Hyrum
Smith was sustained, in lieu of Frederick G. Williams, as
one of the three First Presidents, in which office he had
before been acting. Elder Boynton and the two Elders
Johnson were reinstated in the Quorum of the Twelve,
though later they again fell away. Bishops Edward Part-
ridge, Isaac Morley and Titus Billings were retained in
office ; while Presidents William W. Phelps and John
Whitmer were severed from the Church ; the former
afterwards returned.
Against these brethren "Elder Lyman Wight
stated that he considered all other accusations of minor
importance, compared to their selling their lands in
Jackson County ; that they had set an example which all
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 1 97
the Saints were liable to follow. He said that it was a
hellish principle, and that they had flatly denied the faith
in so doing."
Thus was the line of demarcation being drawn.
Thus were "the inhabitants of Zion" commencing to
"judge all things pertaining to Zion." There had been
a day of calling ; a day of choosing now had come, and
they who were "not Apostles and Prophets" were begin-
ning to be known.
During the absence of the Prophet and Elder Rig-
don in Missouri, whither they had gone to superintend
the work of purification, Warren Parrish, John F. Boyn-
ton, Luke Johnson, Joseph Coe, and others, in Kirtland,
dissented from the Church and combined together for its
overthrow. They were encouraged and assisted by
apostates and prominent Elders of the Church in Mis-
souri. These dissenters called themselves "the Church
of Christ," the "old standard," openly renouncing the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and denounc-
ing the Prophet Joseph and all who adhered to him, as
heretics.
So bitter became the apostate and mobocratic spirit
in Kirtland, that they who raised their voices in defense
of the Prophet of God, at once endangered their lives.
Apostle Brigham Young, who stood firm and immovable
at Joseph's side, was forced to flee to save himself from
the fury of the enemy, who were enraged at his bold,
outspoken stand in favor of the Prophet, and against his
foes and traducers. Three weeks later, on January I2th,
1838, the Prophet and President Rigdon also fled from
Kirtland, for Missouri, followed by human blood-hounds,
armed and thirsting for their lives, a distance of two
hundred miles.
Kirtland was now no longer a fit abid : ng place for
198 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
the Saints. The faithful of the body of the Church com-
menced migrating to Missouri, where the work of purifi-
cation went on.
At Far West, in April, 1838, Presidents Oliver Cow-
dery and David Whitmer were excommunicated from the
Church. The charges sustained against the former were
for urging vexatious law-suits against the brethren, slan-
dering President Joseph Smith, contempt of the Church
in not attending meetings, leaving his calling in which
God had appointed him by revelation, for the sake of
filthy lucre, and turning to the practice of law ; disgrac-
ing the Church by being connected in the bogus business,
dishonesty, and, finally, for "leaving or forsaking the
cause of God, and returning to the beggarly elements of
the world, and neglecting his high and holy calling,
according to his profession."
President Whitmer was charged with not observing
the Word of Wisdom ; neglecting meetings and possess-
ing the same spirit as the dissenters, writing letters to
the dissenters in Kirtland, unfavorable to the cause of
God and the character of His Prophet, neglecting the
duties of his calling and separating himself from the
Church, and signing himself President of the Church of
Christ, after being cut off from the Presidency, in an
insulting letter to the High Council.
On the same day Apostle Lyman E. Johnson was
excommunicated, and soon after Apostle William E.
McLellin fell away.
On the 8th of July, 1838, at Far West, the Prophet
Joseph and the remainder of the Twelve met in solemn
council and unitedly besought the Throne of Grace for
guidance, light and help.
"Show unto us Thy will, O Lord, concerning the
Twelve!"
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 199
Such was the burden of their prayer, to which the
Lord made answer as follows :
''Verily, thus saith the Lord, let a conference be
held immediately, let the Twelve be organized, and let
men be appointed to supply the place of those who are
fallen. Let my servant Thomas remain for a season in
the Land of Zion, to publish my word. Let the residue
continue to preach from that hour, and if they will do
this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and humility,
and long suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise
that I will provide for their families, and an effectual door
shall be opened for them, from henceforth ; and next
spring let them depart to go over the great waters, and
there promulgate my Gospel, the fullness thereof, and
bear record of my name. Let them take leave of my
Saints in the city Far West, on the 26th day of April
next, on the building spot of my house, saith the Lord.
Let my servant, John Taylor, and also my servant John
E. Page, and also my servant Wilford Woodruff, and also
my servant Willard Richards, be appointed to fill the
places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified
of their appointment."
John Taylor and John E. Page were ordained Apos-
tles December igth, 1838, and Wilford Woodruff on the
26th of the following April. Willard Richards received
his ordination in Preston, England, after the arrival there
of the Apostles in April, 1840. George A. Smith was
added to the quorum the same day that Wilford Wood-
ruff was ordained, to fill a vacancy caused by the fall of
another of the Twelve. All, save John E. Page, who
fell from grace a few years later, have won immortal fame
in Israel, and left to posterity the legacy of a spotless
name.
Let us now return to the Apostles and their work
in England.
CHAPTER XXVI.
IIEBER'S FAREWELL TO CHATBURN AN AFFECTING SCENE
HIS SYMPATHY FOR THE POOR OF ENGLAND THE
APRIL CONFERENCE IN PRESTON TWO THOUSAND
SAINTS ASSEMBLE JOSEPH FIELDING APPOINTED TO
PRESIDE OVER THE BRITISH MISSION.
WE left Apostles Kimball and Hyde, with their
associates in the ministry, visiting the various branches
of the mission they had founded, preparatory to taking
farewell leave of the Saints and sailing for America.
They agreed to hold a general conference in Preston on
the 8th of April, the day before their departure.
" In the interval," writes Heber, ( T went and visited
the branches in the regions of Clithero and Chatburn,
and on the morning when I left Chatburn many were in
tears, thinking they should see my face no more. When
I left them, my feelings were such as I cannot describe.
As I walked down the street I was followed by numbers ;
the doors were crowded by the inmates of the houses to
bid me farewell, who could only give vent to their grief
in sobs and broken accents. While contemplating this
scene I was constrained to take off my hat, for I felt as
if the place was holy ground. The Spirit of the Lord
rested down upon me and I was constrained to bless
that whole region of country. I was followed by a great
number to Clithero, a considerable distance from the
villages, who could then hardly separate from me. My
heart was like unto theirs, and I thought my head was a
fountain of tears, for I wept for several miles after I bid
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 2OI
them adieu. I had to leave the road three times to go
to streams of water to bathe my eyes."
4 'Who can read this," says Tullidge, beautifully,
"without a feeling of profound veneration for the great
and good man whose memory is enshrined in the hearts
of the British Saints as their spiritual father? That
touching scene is enough to immortalize the character of
Heber C. Kimball as a true apostle of Christ ; and the
pathos is actually heightened when he is seen alone by
the wayside weeping, or by the streams washing away
those sacred tears."
Heber C. Kimball was indeed a true apostle of
Christ, one of the called and chosen ; a prophet and a
servant of God, in nature as well as name.
The Prophet Joseph told him in after years that the
reason he felt as he did in the streets of Chatburn was
because the place was indeed "holy ground," that some
of the ancient prophets had traveled in that region and
dedicated the land, and that he, Heber, had reaped the
benefit of their blessing.
It being known that the Elders were about to leave
England, great numbers flocked to hear them, and many
were baptized. Their labors were consequently very
arduous. Says Elder Kimball :
"Some days we went from house to house, convers-
ing with the people on the things of the kingdom, and
would sometimes be instrumental in convincing many of
the truth : and I have known as many as twenty persons
baptized in one day, who have been convinced on such
occasions. I have had to go into the water to administer
the ordinance of baptism six or seven times a day, and
frequently after having come out of the water and
changed my clothes, I have had to turn back to the
water before I reached my lodgings ; this, too, when the
2O2 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
weather was extremely cold, the ice being from twelve
to fourteen inches thick. The weather continued so
about twelve weeks, during which time I think there
were but ten days in which we were not in the water bap-
tizing. The harvest was indeed plenteous, but the
laborers were few."
The following passage of reflections on the poor of
England is worthy of the great philanthropic heart of
Heber C. Kimball:
"This was very extraordinary weather for that
country, as I was informed that some winters they had
scarcely any frost or snow, and the oldest inhabitants
told me that they never experienced such a winter before.
In consequence of the inclemency of the weather, several
manufacturing establishments were shut up, and several
thousands of men, women and children were thrown out
of employment, whose sufferings during that time were
severe ; and I was credibly informed, and verily believe,
that many perished from starvation. Such sufferings I
never witnessed before. The scenes which 1 daily beheld
were enough to chill the blood in my veins. The
streets were crowded with men, women and children who
begged from the passengers as they walked along.
Numbers of those poor, wretched beings were without
shoes or stockings, and scarcely any covering to screen
them from the inclemency of the weather; and daily I
could discover delicate females walking the streets gath-
ering up the animal refuse, and carrying it to places
where they could sell it for a penny or half-penny. And
thus they lived through the winter. At the same time
there were hundreds and thousands living in wealth and
splendor. I felt to exclaim, O Lord, how long shall these
things exist ! How long shall the rich oppress the poor,
and have no more care or interest for them than the
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 203.
brutes of the field, nor half so much ! When will dis-
tress and poverty cease, and peace and plenty abound !
When the Lord Jesus shall descend in the clouds of
heaven, then the rod of the oppressor shall be broken.
Hasten the time, O Lord, was frequently the language
of my heart when I contemplated the scenes of wretched-
ness and woe which I daily witnessed.
"Great numbers were initiated into the Kingdom of
Heaven ; those who were sick were healed ; those who
were diseased flocked to us daily; and truly their faith
was great, such as I hardly ever witnessed before, con-
sequently many were healed of their infirmities. We
were continually employed day and night, some nights
hardly closing our eye-lids. The task was almost more
than we could endure; but realizing the circumstances of
this people, their love of the truth, their humility and
unfeigned charity, caused us to use all diligence and make
good use of every moment, for truly our bowels yearned
over them."
Touching the prospects of the missionary work in
England, he adds :
"The work kept spreading; the prospect of use-
fulness grew brighter and brighter, and the field opened
larger and larger ; while the cries of 'Come, and admin-
ister the words of life unto us,' were more and more
frequently sounding in our ears. I do not remember
during the last six months I was in England of retiring
to my bed earlier than midnight, which was also the case
with Brothers Hyde and Fielding.
"Sunday, April 8th, the day of the conference, came.
The Saints began to assemble at an early hour. By
nine o'clock there were from six to seven hundred pres-
ent from various parts of the country. After the meet-
ing was opened by singing and prayer, we had a repre-
2O4 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
sentation of the following branches, viz. : Preston, Pen-
wortham, Walkerfold, Thornley, Ribchester, Chatburn,
Clithero, Barshe Lees, Waddington, Leyland Moss, Ley-
land Lane, Eccleston, Hunter's Hill, Euxton, Whittle,
Dauber's Lane, Bamber Bridge, Longton, Southport,
Downham, Burnley, Bedford, Alston, Brampton, Bolton,
Chorley. The total number of Saints represented were
about two thousand, which, with the exception of the
branches in Preston, Bedford and Cumberland, were
principally raised up by my own labors, as I spent my
time in the branches, except on Sundays, when I preached
in Preston. The branch in Preston numbered about four
hundred, that in Bedford forty, and the branch in Cum-
berland sixty."
All this was the work of only eight months. Two
thousand had been baptized and enough branches organ-
ized to form the base work of three or four conferences,
incorporating in the missionary work about that number
of the counties of England. Thus the work had already
widely spread, yet only three or four Elders had been out
in the ministry. Heber C. Kimball himself had con-
verted in eight months about one thousand five hundred
souls. He continues:
"We gave instructions to the official members,
reminding them of their several duties and callings, and
the responsibilities which rested upon them ; pressing
upon them the necessity of being humble and faithful
in the discharge of their duties, so that by patience,
meekness and love unfeigned, they might commend
themselves to God, and the Church of Jesus Christ,
over whom the Holy Ghost had made them guardians.
"Feeling it necessary for the good of the kingdom
to leave someone in authority over the whole church, I
nominated Joseph Fielding to preside, with Willard
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 205
Richards as his first counselor, and William Clayton his
second counselor. The nominations met with the appro-
bation of the whole assembly, who agreed to hearken to
their instructions and uphold them in their offices. These
brethren were then ordained to the High Priesthood,
and set apart to preside over the Church in England.
Eight Elders, several Priests, Teachers and Deacons, were
set apart and ordained to the several offices to which
they were called. One of the brethren ordained was
going to Manchester, and another to the city of
London."
"We then confirmed forty individuals, after which
about one hundred children were blessed. The same
day twenty persons were baptized for the remission of
sins. We then proceeded to administer the sacrament
to the numerous assembly, and gave some general
instructions to the whole church respecting their duty to
God and to each other, which were listened to with great
attention.
"At this conference we were favored with the com-
pany of Elder Willard Richards, also Elder Russell, who
had returned from Cumberland. He met with considera-
ble opposition from his own kindred, as well as from
ministers of the different denominations, who sought
every opportunity to destroy his influence. Notwith-
standing the great opposition he was instrumental in
bringing upwards of sixty souls into the kingdom of
God, and left them rejoicing in the truth, under the watch-
care of Elder Jacob Peart. Thus the great work was
commenced in three places, Preston, Bedford and Alston,
which forcibly reminds me of the parable of the leaven
which the woman hid in the three measures of meal."
The conference closes with another of those almost
dramatic pictures with which this eventful history abounds.
206 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"At 5 p. m.," says the Apostle, "we brought the
conference to a close, having continued without inter-
ruption from 9 a. m., and appointed 7 o'clock the same
evening" to deliver our farewell addresses. At the
o
appointed time we repaired to the ' Cock Pit' which was
crowded to excess. Brother Hyde and myself spoke to
them concerning our labors in that land, the success of
the ministry, and the kindness we had experienced at
their hands, and told them we expected before long to
see them again, after we had visited the Church and our
families in America. When we spoke of our departure
their souls were melted ; they gave vent to their feelings
and wept like little children, and broke out in lamenta-
tions like the following: 'How can we part with our
beloved brethren!' 'We may never see them again!'
' O, why must you leave us ! ' I could not restrain my
feelings, and they found vent in a flood of tears. It
would have been almost an impossibility for us to have
left this affectionate people, if we had not had the most
implicit confidence in the brethren who had been appointed
to preside over them in our absence ; but knowing they
had the confidence of the Church, we felt that affairs
would be conducted in righteousness.
"Immediately after dismissing the congregation we
met the official brethren, about eighty, and instructed
them in their duties, and dismissed at i o'clock the next
morning."
CHAPTER XXVII.
DEPARTURE FOR LIVERPOOL HEBER's LETTER TO THE
SAINTS IN CHATBURN AND DOWNHAM HIS PREDIC-
TION CONCERNING THOMAS WEBSTER ITS STRICT FUL-
FILLMENT.
AT nine o'clock on the morning of April Qth, Elders
Kimball, Hyde and Russell left Preston for Liverpool.
Through the kindness of the Saints, many of whom
assembled to bid them farewell, they were provided with
means to take them back to Kirtlancl. With tearful eyes
they were gazed at by the multitude until the coach was
lost to view.
"Notwithstanding the variegated scenery of the
country," says Heber, "which in England is very beauti-
ful, my mind reverted back to the time when I first
arrived in that country, and the peculiar feelings that
possessed me when I traveled from Liverpool to Preston
eight months before. Then I was a stranger in a
strange land, and had only to rely upon the kind
ness and mercy of that God who had sent me
there. While I mused on these things, my soul was
humbled within me, for I had now hundreds of brethren
to whom I was united in bonds the most endearing and
sacred, and who loved me as their own souls, and whose
prayers would be continually offered up for my welfare
and prosperity.
"After a ride of about four hours we arrived at
Liverpool, and ascertaining that the ship in which w r e
intended to sail would not leave port as early as
2O8 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
expected, in consequence of a great storm, in which
several vessels had been wrecked and many lives lost,
we took lodgings for a few days until the vessel should
depart.
"We were accompanied by Elders Fielding and
Richards, who felt desirous to obtain all the information
they could respecting the government of the Church, as
our opportunities of instruction had been limited while
in Preston, it being almost impossible to have much pri-
vate intercourse, as there were so many who wished to
converse with us on the subject of the Gospel, etc. But
in this they were disappointed, for as soon as it was
known in Preston and other places that our departure
was delayed, Elder Clayton and numbers of the brethren
came to visit us in Liverpool.
"I wrote the following farewell to the Church of
Latter-day Saints in Chatburn and Downham :
"'LIVERPOOL, April 15, 1838.
' ' ' Beloved Brethren :
" l Having given all diligence to make known
unto you the common salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which ye have so joyfully received from my lips, I feel
now to write to you a few words for your consolation,
and the confirming of that hope which is possessed by
you, that ye may be steadfast and immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, that it may be made
manifest unto all men that our labors have not been in
vain.
"'Be kind and affectionate one towards another,
manifesting your faith by your works doing as well as
saying. If there is any one among you destitute of daily
food, feed him ; if any one be naked, clothe him ; if any
one be cast down, raise him up ; if any among you are
sick, send for the Elders, or Priests, that they may come
and pray for you, and lay their hands upon you, and the
prayer of faith shall heal the sick ; therefore, brethren,
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 209
let your faith be centered in God, for He is able to do all
things, to forgive sins and heal the sick, for you know
this, that God has said these signs shall follow them that
believe.
'"Now, brethren, I exhort you in the name of my
Master, to contend for that faith which was once delivered
to the Saints ; for the same faith will produce the same
effects ; for God has not changed, neither has His word
changed ; heaven and earth shall pass away, but there
shall not one jot or tittle of His word fail ; all shall be
fulfilled, whether it be by His own voice or the voice of
His servants, it is all the same ; therefore, brethren, do
not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceed-
eth forth from the mouth of God.
'"Dear brethren and sisters, be patient, be humble,
be prayerful, visit your secret places. Pray in your fam-
ilies morning and evening, ye who are heads of families,
and neglect not the assembling of yourselves together ;
but speak often one to another concerning the things of
the kingdom, and diligently follow after every good thing,
remembering that the diligent hand maketh rich. Let
these things be and abound with you, and ye shall be
neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of God.
Let your eyes be single, and your bodies shall be filled
with light.
'"Now, to you, brethren, who have been ordained
to watch over the flock, I would say, stand in your places
and magnify the offices which ye have received of the
Lord Jesus, to feed His sheep. Feed the lambs; watch
over the flock in all things ; be not partial to any one ;
remember these things, and the blessing of God shall
attend you in all things.
"' Dear brethren and sisters, I give you the grati-
tude of my heart for the kindness which you have
bestowed upon me and my brethren ; for when I was
hungry, ye fed me ; when I was naked, ye clothed me ;
when I was destitute, ye gave me money ; when I was a
stranger, ye took me in and lodged me ; and, as ye have
done these things to me and my brethren in our necessi-
ties, my heavenly Father shall minister unto you in your
1 1
210 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
necessities ; for I am not forgetful of those things and I
do ever remember you in my prayers, praying my
heavenly Father to sustain you, and enable you to walk
worthy of the holy vocation unto which ye have been
called, unto the end. Amen.
11 ' Finally, brethren and sisters, farewell. Pray for me
and my brethren ; and may the God of all grace sanctify
you wholly, and bring you into my Father's kingdom.
"' Adieu. This from your beloved brother in
Christ,
"' HEBER C. KIMBALL."
One more incident remains to be told, ere with the
Elders we take leave of England. At Liverpool, April
1 3th, "Good Friday," Apostle Kimball penned the fol-
lowing :
' ' Dear Brothers and Sisters in Preston :
"It seemeth good unto us and also
unto the Holy Spirit to write you a few words which
cause pain in our hearts, and will also pain you when
they are fulfilled before you ; yet you shall have joy in
the end. Brother Webster will not abide in the Spirit of
the Lord, but will reject the truth, and become the
enemy of the people of God, and expose the mysteries
which have been committed to him, that a righteous
judgment may be executed upon him, unless he speedily
repent.
"When this sorrowful prediction shall be fulfilled,
this letter shall be read to the Church, and it shall prove
a solemn warning to all to beware.
"Farewell in the Lord."
This letter, signed by the two Apostles, Heber C.
Kimball and Orson Hyde, was sealed in the presence,
and committed to the care, of Elders Joseph Fielding
and Willard Richards. These brethren, on returning to
Preston, had Elder William Clayton and Deacon Arthur
Burrows examine the sealed missive critically, and placed
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 2 1 I
marks and dates upon it, in order to be able to testify,
if necessary, that it had not been opened.
The fulfillment of the prediction was most accurate.
Thomas Webster, the individual referred to in the epistle,
was a member of the Preston branch, a man of promise
and ability, quite popular with the Saints, and his integ-
rity at the time unquestioned. Desiring that he should
prosper, Presidents Fielding and Richards watched over
and prayed for him, and "he continued to grow in the
knowledge of the kingdom, and spoke with power for
some months." A change then came over him; he
became dissatisfied, and preferred certain charges against
the presiding Elders. These charges were proven to be
false, or of no account, and Webster was required to
acknowledge his error, or cease acting in his office. He
refused to do either. On the following Sunday, in a
private house, he administered the sacrament to six of
his followers, one of whom had been excommunicated
from the Church, while another had not even been bap-
tized. For this offense Webster was deprived of his
membership.
The letter of the Apostles was then opened and read
to the Church, Brothers Clayton and Burrows first testi-
fying publicly that the seal had never been broken. It
was feared that Webster's popularity would draw many
after him, but the reading of the prediction concerning
him utterly destroyed his influence, and more fully con-
firmed the Saints in their faith.
Webster, ambitious to create a following, and well
aware of his popularity, applied for permission to come
before the Church and publicly plead his cause, which
request was wisely denied, as he had refused to appear,
when required, the Sabbath before. Soon after placards
were posted up in different parts of Preston reading as
212 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
follows ; "A lecture will be delivered at Mr. Giles' chapel,
to expose the mysteries of Mormonism, by Thomas
Webster." This announcement he fulfilled, though with
little effect, thus making good in strictest detail the proph-
ecy of Heber C. Kimball, uttered six months before.
Return we now to the Apostles and Elder Russell,
in Liverpool, about to take passage on board the Garrick,
bound for New York.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE ELDERS SAIL FOR HOME A STORM AT SEA HOW
HEBER FOUND FAVOR WITH THE STEWARD ARRIVAL
AT NEW YORK THE " GARRICK " AGAIN VICTORIOUS
JOURNEY TO KIRTLAND ON TO FAR WEST HAPPY
MEETING WITH JOSEPH AND THE BRETHREN.
HOMEWARD bound !
Sheathed the sword and furled the banner.
The battle won, the fortress stormed and taken.
For a little season, rest and change, ere again the
trumpet sounds, and the warrior is resummoned to
the fray.
It was indeed a campaign of victory from which the
Elders were returning. The laurel wreath was theirs,
bravely and fairly earned.
Yet not for worldly honors and applause had they
been striving. These, to the true servant of Christ, are
ever the last consideration. The praise of man they
neither expected nor desired. Their reward was with
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 2 1 3
them, a reward never wrongly bestowed ; the approval
of a good conscience and the favor of their Maker ;
meed only of worthy motives, and of duty well performed.
Again on board the Garrick, upon the bosom of
the heaving main.
It was on the 2oth of April, 1838, that the Elders
embarked for home.
"Soon after we left Liverpool," says Heber, "a
great storm came on, with a head wind, which continued
without cessation for several days, and did considerable
damage to the vessel ; the bowsprit was broken twice,
by the force of the wind, with only the jib sail set ; the
boom likewise came down with great force, near where
the captain was standing, but he fortunately escaped ;
several other parts of the rigging were much torn and
injured. During the continuance of the storm, Brothers
Hyde and Russell were very sick. After this we had
more favorable weather.
"When we had been on the water two weeks, I asked
permission of the captain for one of us to preach, which
request was cheerfully complied with, and the second
cabin was prepared for the occasion. Brother Russell
preached, after which Brother Hyde made some observa-
tions ; they were listened to with great attention, and the
congregation appeared very much satisfied.
"The Lord gave us favor in the eyes of the captain
and passengers, who treated us with respect and kind-
ness. One reason for obtaining this universal favor of
the ship's company was, the steward of the ship had
charge of a fine Durham cow, which was larger than the
medium size of our oxen ; the cow became sick and the
steward was very sorry, because she was their only
dependence to supply the cabin passengers with milk.
I went and looked at the cow and discovered that she
214 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
could not raise her cud. I told the steward to cut for me
a half dozen slices of fat pork, as large as my hand, which
he did ; and I gave them to the cow, when she soon got
well. From that time forth the steward sent us turtle
soup, wine, and every luxury the ship afforded, and made
us many presents.
"May 1 2th, we came in sight of New York, and in
the evening secured a landing, after a passage of twenty-
two and a half days."
It will be remembered that the Garrick, on its first
voyage, bearing these Elders to England, won a wager of
ten thousand dollars, arriving at Liverpool a few lengths
ahead of the packet ship South America, both vessels
having left New York at the same time, and keeping in
sight of each other during the whole of the way.
Another victory was now scored by the Garrick in arriv-
ing at the port of New York.
Was it because these Mormon Apostles were
again on board, returning themselves from a great
spiritual contest, in which God had given them the
victory? Judge, reader, for yourself. Here is the
Apostle Heber's record of the event :
"There was a wager made at Liverpool whether
the New England or the Garrick would arrive in port
first. When we passed Sandy Hook the New England
was four or five miles ahead of us ; some of our officers
remarked she would go in before us, but I told them she
would not, as I had said at Liverpool we would go in
first. At this time neither of the ships were sailing more
than three knots an hour, when suddenly the wind left
the sails of the New England, and a fair wind struck our
sails, and we ran in one hour ahead of her."
Continuing, the prophet Heber says:
"We landed and went into the city of New York
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 215
with several of the passengers, who purchased some
refreshments, and after we returned, bade us partake
with them, and we all rejoiced together; we then bowed
before the Lord and offered up the gratitude of our
hearts for all His mercies, in prospering us on our mis-
sion, and bringing us safely across the mighty deep, to
behold once more the land of our nativity, and the pros-
pect of soon embracing our families and friends.
" Sunday, i3th, we went in search of Brother Ford-
ham, whom we found after some trouble. He was glad
to see us, and immediately took us to the house of
Brother Wandel Mace, where we were glad to see our
beloved brother Orson Pratt, who was then laboring in
that city, and who, with his brother Parley P. Pratt, had
been instrumental in bringing many into the kingdom
there. And now I had the pleasure of witnessing the
fulfillment of the prophecy I delivered to Brother Ford-
ham when I started for England.
"We accompanied Brother Orson Pratt to the house
where the Saints assembled to worship. We found
about eighty persons assembled, all of whom had
recently joined the Church. After singing and prayer, I
was requested to give an account of our mission to Eng-
land, which I did. In the evening Elders Russell and
Hyde preached ; afterwards some came forward and
offered themselves as candidates for baptism. The short
time we were in New York was spent very agreeably
with the Saints.
"On the 1 4th we bade adieu to the brethren, and
continued our journey by steamboat, railroad and canal,
and arrived at Kirtland May 22nd, having been absent
eleven months and nine days.
"I found my family in good health, and as comfort-
ably situated as I could expect; our joy was mutual.
2l6 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
The Saints likewise welcomed us home, for which I felt
thankful to my heavenly Father.
"But my journey was not yet ended ; for soon after
my arrival in Kirtland I commenced making preparations
to move my family to the State of Missouri, where
Brother Joseph and the greater part of the authorities of
the Church, and almost all the members who had any
faith in Mormonism, had already removed. The cause
of their removal to the west was the persecutions to
which they were subject in Kirtland. The brethren who
yet resided there, although very kind and affectionate,
were weak in the faith, in consequence of trials and temp-
tations. This caused us to grieve exceedingly, and we
resolved to cheer them up as much as we possibly could.
We preached in the house of the Lord a few times,
recounted our travels and the great success that had
attended our labors ; also the marvelous work which the
Lord had commenced in England. They began to take
courage, their confidence increased, their faith was
strengthened, and they again realized the blessings of
Jehovah.
"About the ist of July I commenced my journey
with my family, accompanied by Elders Orson Hyde,
Erastus Snow and Winslow Farr, two brothers by the
name of Badger, and the widow Beeman, with their fam-
ilies, numbering about forty souls. We took wagons to
Wellsville, on the Ohio River, about a hundred and
thirty miles ; then took steamboat to St. Louis, also thence
to Richmond on Missouri River. Elder Hyde stayed at
Richmond several days. We there procured wagons and
went to Far West, where we arrived in safety on the
twenty-fifth of July, and had a happy meeting with Jos-
eph, Hyrum and Sidney, some of the Twelve, and num-
bers of our friends and brethren, some of whom were so
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 217
glad to see us, that tears started in their eyes when we
took them by the hand.
" During our journey from Kirtland to Missouri, the
weather was extremely warm, in consequence of which
I suffered very much, my body being weakened by sick-
ness, and I continued very feeble for a considerable
length of time.
''Sunday, July 2oth, I met Joseph, Sidney and Hy-
rum on the public square, as they started for Adam-On-
di-Ahman. Joseph requested me to preach to the Saints
and give them a history of my mission, saying, 'It will
revive their spirits and do them good,' which I did, al-
though I was scarcely able to stand. I related many
things respecting my mission and travels, which were
gladly received by them, whose hearts were cheered by
the recital, while many of the Elders were stirred up to
diligence, and expressed a great desire to accompany me
when I should return to England."
CHAPTER XXIX.
THK LAND WHERE ADAM DWELT THE SAINTS IMPELLED
TOWARD THEIR DESTINY PERSECUTION REVIVES
ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN THE ALTAR OF THE ANCIENT OF
DAYS.
THE land where Adam dwelt. The site of the
Garden of Eden. The place where the Ancient of Days
shall sit, and the God of heaven shall again visit His
people. As saith the prophet Daniel :
"I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the
Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as
snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his
throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning
fire.
"A fiery stream issued and come forth from before
him : thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten
thousand times ten thousand stood before him : the
judgment was set, and the books were opened. * * *
"I saw in the night visions, and behold one like the
Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came
to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near
before him.
"And there was given him dominion, and glory, and
a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should
serve him : his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which
shall not be destroyed. * * * * * *
'T beheld and the same horn made war with the
Saints, and prevailed against them ;
" Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment
was given to the Saints of the Most High; and the time
came that the Saints possessed the kingdom."
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 219
Here, in this most ancient region, where, parallel
with the stream of Time, the great river of mortal life
arose, had pitched their tents the Saints of latter days.
Here dwelt Adam and Eve in the world's infancy ;
here they tasted of the fruit forbidden, and were driven
forth from Eden, their fall predestined that mortal man
might be. Here the great sire of mankind built altars
unto God, offering sacrifice unto the Father in commem-
oration of the atonement of the Son. Here fell the first
martyr ; here righteous Abel's blood was spilt ; here
burst the awful thunders of heaven's awakened wrath
upon the guilty head of earth's first murderer. Here
Adam, bowed with age, blessed the righteous residue of
his seed, and predicted whatsoever should befall his pos-
terity to the latest generation.
All this ere the days of Peleg, in whose days "was
the earth divided;" ere Enoch's city rose to heaven, or
the ark of Noah floated over a wave-buried world. Ere
Babel's towering folly mocked the skies; ere wrecked
was language on confusion's strand ; ere the great river
of humanity, dividing into rills, went forth to water with
the streams of life the soil of every land.
Here, in the times of restitution, when all things in
Christ are gathered in one, Adam, Michael, the great
Prince, Ancient of Days, is to come in power and glory,
revisiting the scenes of his earthly pilgrimage.
America, the old world, not the new! Cradle of
man, mother of nations, grave of empires!
Unto Missouri, land of promise ; the ancient, the
chosen, the favored above all other lands, had the Lord's
Prophet, Joseph, led His covenant people.
Spring Hill, Daviess County, Missouri, one of the
settlements of the Saints in this region, had been
o
renamed by revelation, Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said
22O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
the Lord, "it is the place where Adam shall come to visit
his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken
of by Daniel the Prophet."
.Verily were the Saints of the Most High being
driven toward their destiny. The "horn" that made war
with them and "prevailed against them," was surely
pushing them on to final victory. Was it not destiny,
too, that they should thus retrace the steps of their great
ancestor, who, driven forth from Eden,* dwelt in Adam-
ondi-Ahman ?
Heber was now with his people at Far West, in
"the land where Adam dwelt," ready to perform his
part of the labor in preparing the kingdom of the Son
of God for the coming of the Ancient of Days.
"Soon after my arrival," says he, "Bishop Partridge
gave me a lot and sufficient lumber to build a house.
Charles Hubbard made me a present of forty acres of
land, and another brother gave me a cow. All the
brethren were remarkably kind in contributing to my
necessities. About the last of August, after I had spent
much labor, and nearly finished my house, I was obliged
to abandon it to the mob, who again commenced perse-
cuting the Saints, driving off their cattle and destroying
their property."
The origin of this persecution was much the same
as that of the Jackson County trouble, five years before.
The thrift and enterprise of the Saints, with their grow-
ing power and influence, had aroused the jealous fears of
their Gentile neighbors, and what the scheming villainy
of political demagogues left undone, the malice of sec-
tarian priests accomplished, in kindling the wrath of the
ignorant and fanatical against them.
* Jackson County, Missouri, from whence the Saints were driven, is reputed to
be the ancient site of the Garden of Eden.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 221
An election riot in Gallatin, Daviess County, on the
6th of August, 1838, where a combined effort was made
to prevent the Mormons from voting", and several of the
brethren were under the necessity of using force to de-
fend themselves against their bullying assailants, was
made the pretext for further outrages against the com-
munity to which they belonged. The Saints in that local-
ity being helplessly in the minority, were at the mercy of
the mob which now rose against them.
o
One of the methods employed by the leaders of the
lawless banditti to enlist sympathy for their own cause,
and arouse the public mind against their victims, was to
destroy property belonging to non-Mormons, their own
followers in some instances, and then ride through the
country advertising it as the work of Mormons, against
whom any tale, however false or atrocious, was readily
believed. Some of the mob even fired upon a church
while its occupants were worshiping on the Sabbath
day, and then spread the alarm that the Mormons had
"riz" and were destroying property, demolishing churches
and interfering with free religious worship.
These atrocious falsehoods, worthy only of fiends
incarnate, bore legitimate fruit in deeds equally devilish
and appalling. The people rose en masse ; the Saints
were driven from their homes, their houses plundered
and burned, their fields laid waste, and men, women and
children fled for their lives in all directions, pursued by
their merciless oppressors.
What followed, Heber's record thus relates:
" After hearing of the mobbing, burning and rob-
bing in Gallatin, Daviess Co., and the region round
about, the brethren of Caldwell went directly to Adam-
ondi-Ahman, which is on the west fork of Grand River.
Thomas B. Marsh, David W. Patten, Brigham Young,
222 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
myself, Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor amongst the
number. When we arrived there we found the Prophet
Joseph, Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon, with hundreds
of others of the Saints preparing to defend themselves
from the mob who were threatening the destruction of
our people. Men, women and children were fleeing to
that place for safety from every direction ; their houses
and property were burnt and they had to flee half naked,
crying, and frightened nigh unto death, to save their
lives.
"While there we laid out a city on a high elevated
piece of land, and set the stakes for the four corners of
a temple block, which was dedicated, Brother Brigham
Young being mouth ; there were from three to five hun-
dred men present on the occasion, under arms. This
elevated spot was probably from two hundred and fifty
to five hundred feet above the level of Grand River, so
that one could look east, west, north or south, as far as
the eye could reach ; it was one of the most beautiful
places I ever beheld.
"The Prophet Joseph called upon Brother Brigham,
myself and others, saying, 'Brethren, come, go along
with me, and I will show you something.' He led us a
short distance to a place where were the ruins of three
altars built of stone, one above the other, and one stand-
ing a little back of the other, like unto the pulpits in the
Kirtland Temple, representing the order of three grades
of Priesthood; 'There,' said Joseph, 'is the place where
Adam offered up sacrifice after he was cast out of the
garden.' The altar stood at the highest point of the
bluff. I went and examined the place several times while
I remained there."
An episode of peace in time of war. A glimpse of
heaven's blue through a rift in the gathering storm.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBAI.L. 223
A fiery ordeal was before the Saints. The Church,
tried with poverty and tempted by the prospect of wealth,
had survived and maintained its integrity. It had also
withstood the world's scorn, the wrath and ridicule of the
ungodly. Nor had fiery trials been wanting, whereby
the faith of some had been proven, the supposed faith of
others weighed in the balance and found wanting. A
general test was now to be applied. The faith and integ-
grity of the whole Church were about to pass through
the fierce flames of affliction ; between the upper and
nether millstones of official tyranny and mob violence.
CHAPTER XXX.
TIMES THAT TRIED ME\'s SOULS THE MOB GATHERING
AGAINST FAR WEST I5ATTLE OF CROOKED RIVER-
DEATH OF DAVID W. PATTEN DAN'S OF DARKNESS AND
DISASTER.
THE fall and winter of 1838 was one of the darkest
periods in Church history. Mobocracy on one hand,
and apostasy on the other, dealt the cause of God cruel
blows, such as no human work could hope to withstand.
The tempest of persecution, briefly lulled, burst forth
with tenfold fury; no longer a city or county a whole
state rose in arms against God's people, bent upon their
destruction. "The clogs of war" were loosed upon the
helpless Saints, and murder and rapine held high carnival
amid the smoking ruins of peaceful homes and ravaged
fields.
224 LIFE OF HEBER C. KTMBALL.
Then fell the mask from the face of hypocrisy.
Treason betrayed itself. Apostles, Presidents, and
Elders fell from the faith and joined hands with the
robbers and murderers of their brethren. Satan
laughed ! The very mouth of hell seemed opening to
engulf the Kingdom which He who cannot lie has sworn
shall stand forever.
Truly, those were ''times that tried men's souls."
Like a rock in mid-ocean, facing the storm, unmoved
by wind or wave, stood Heber C. Kimball ; among the
truest true, among the bravest brave.
Referring to the time of his visit to Adam-ondi-
Ahman, he says :
"In a few days an express came with the news that the
mob was gathering in every part of Missouri to come
against the Saints in Far West. We therefore returned
to Caldwell County.
"Thomas B. Marsh left the day previous to the rest
of the Twelve, pretending there was something very
urgent at home, and when we arrived at Far West, Oct-
ober 22nd, we learned that he and Orson Hyde had left
the city. Brother Hyde was sick when we went to Diah-
man.
"The Saints, tenacious of their liberties and sacred
rights, resisted the unlawful designs of the mob, and with
courage worthy of them guarded their families and their
houses from their aggressions. But not without the loss
of several lives, among whom was my much esteemed
and lamented friend David W. Patten, who fell a sacrifice
to the spirit of persecution and a martyr to the cause of
truth. The circumstances of his death I will briefly
relate.
"It being ascertained that a mob had collected on
Crooked River, led by the Rev. Samuel Bogard, a Metho-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 225
dist preacher, a company of sixty or seventy persons
immediately volunteered in Far West to watch their
movements, and if necessary repel their attacks. They
chose Elder Patten for their leader, and commenced their
march about midnight, and came up to the mob at the
dawn of October 25th. As the brethren were marching
quietly along the road near the top of the hill, they were
fired upon, when young O'Banyon reeled out of the
ranks, and fell mortally wounded. Thus the work of
death commenced, when Captain Patten ordered his men
to charge the mob, who proved to be on the creek below.
It was yet so dark that little could be seen, looking to
the west; but the mob could see Captain Patten and his
men in the dawning light, when they fired a broadside and
three or four of the brethren fell. Captain Patten ordered
the fire returned, giving the watchword, 'God and Lib-
erty.' The brethren charged the camp, when the mob
were soon put to (light and crossed the river at the ford.
One of the mob fired from behind a tree, and shot Cap-
tain Patten, who instantly fell mortally wounded, the ball
having pierced his abdomen.
"Immediately on receiving the intelligence that
Brother Patten was wounded, I hastened to see him
and found him in great pain, but still he was glad to see
me ; he was conveyed about four miles to the house of
Brother Stephen Winchester; during his removal his
sufferings were so excruciating that he frequently desired
us to lay him down that he mi^ht die ; but being- desirous
* c!> O
to get him out of the reach of the mob, we prevailed
upon him to let us carry him among his friends. We
carried him on a kind of bier, fixed up from poles.
"Although he had medical assistance, his wound was
such that there was no hope entertained of his recovery,
and this he was perfectly aware of. In this situation,
226 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
while the shades of time were lowering, and eternity
with all its realities opening to his view, he bore a strong
testimony to the truth of the work of the Lord, and the
religion he had espoused. He was perfectly sensible
and collected until he breathed his last, which occurred
at about ten o'clock in the evening. Stephen Winchester,
Brother Patten's wife, Bathsheba W. Bigler, with several
of her father's family were present at David's death.
"The principles of the Gospel which were so pre-
cious to him before, afforded him that support and con-
solation at the time of his departure, which deprived
death of its sting and horror. Speaking of those who
had fallen from their steadfastness he exclaimed, ' O that
they were in my situation ! For I feel that I have kept
the faith, I have finished my course, henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will give me.' Speaking to his beloved wife, he
said, 'whatever you do else, O do not deny the faith.'
He all the time expressed a great desire to depart. I
said to him ' Brother David, when you get home, I want
you to remember me.' He replied, * I will.' At this
time his sight was gone. A few minutes before he died,
he prayed as follows, 'Father, I ask Thee in the name of
Jesus Christ, that Thou wouldst release my spirit, and
receive it unto Thyself.' And he then said to those who
surrounded his dying bed, ' Brethren, you have held me
by your faith, but do give me up, and let me go, I beseech
you.' We accordingly committed him to God, and he
soon breathed his last, and slept in Jesus without a groan.
"This was the death of one who was an honor to
the Church and a blessing to the Saints ; and whose faith,
virtues and diligence in the cause of truth will be had in
remembrance by the Church of Jesus Christ from genera-
tion to generation. It was a painful way to be deprived
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 22 /
of the labors of this worthy servant of Christ, and it cast
a gloom upon the Saints ; yet the glorious and sealing
testimony which he bore of his acceptance with heaven
and the truth of the Gospel was a matter of joy and
satisfaction, not only to his immediate friends, but to the
Saints at large.
"I took Dr. Avard with me to Far West, a distance
of three miles, to Elder Rigdon's house, where we found
Brother Patrick O'Banyon, who was wounded in nearly
the same manner as Brother Patten. He also died in a
short time, firm and steadfast in the faith. He was per-
fectly calm and composed, and bore a strong testimony
to the truth of Mormonism.
''Gideon Carter, who was also a faithful Saint, was
shot in the head, and left dead on the ground, so defaced
that the brethren did not at first know him.
"This was a gloomy time!"
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE FALL OF FAR WEST JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN
BETRAYED TO THE ENEMY HEBER FACING THE TRAITORS
HIS FEARLESS DENUNCIATION AND FIRM TESTIMONY
ATROCITIES OF THE MOB HEBER' S PROPHECY OF
RETRIBUTION HE VISITS THE PROPHET IN RICHMOND
JAIL.
THE thunder-cloud of war now rolled upon the
doomed city of Far West. Heber's narrative continues:
"On the 30th we discovered several thousand of
the mob coming to Far West, under pretence of being
government troops ; they passed through our corn and
wheat fields, making a complete desolation of everything
they came across.
"Brother Brigham and I were appointed captains
of fifty, in a hurry, and commanded to take our position,
right in the thoroughfare on which the mob was advanc-
ing to the city, momentarily anticipating the awful
tragedy of a bloody massacre. Joseph was with us
giving counsel.
u The army came up to within good rifle shot, and
halted ; seeing our temporary fortifications, which we
had thrown up the night previous, by pulling down some
of our houses, and fixing up our wagons ; they dared
not approach nearer, but retreated to Goose Creek, about
three-fourths of a mile, screaming, hallooing and screech-
ing ; the devils in hell could not have made a more
hideous howling. The mob declared there were fifteen
hundred of us ; but to my certain knowledge there were
only about one hundred and fifty in that line.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 22Q
"The word came to us that Joseph Smith and
several others were to be given up, otherwise they would
massacre every man, woman and child. In order to
prevent this horrible threat from being executed, Joseph
gave himself up, with Elders Sidney Rigdon, Parley P.
Pratt, Lyman Wight, and George W. Robinson, they
having been betrayed into the mob camp by Col.
George M. Hinkle and other apostates, on the 3ist of
October.
" November ist, the mob, professing to be the
regular militia of the state of Missouri, numbering
about 7,000, surrounded Far West, we were all taken
prisoners and then marched a short distance into a hol-
low, where Col. Lucas had previously pointed his cannon,
in full range, so that if we had not laid down our arms,
he could easily sweep us into eternity, which was his
design. We were then formed into a hollow square,
and commanded by Col. Lucas to ground arms and deliver
up our weapons of war, although they were our own
private property. We were then marched back a short
distance, on the public square in Far West, where we
were again formed into a hollow square, near the house
of Brother Beeman.
''The mob then commenced plundering the citizens
of their bedding, clothing, money, wearing apparel, and
everything of value they could lay their hands upon ; and
also attempting to violate the chastity of the women in
sight of their husbands, pretending they were hunting
for prisoners and fire-arms.
"The most of us had not had any food for twenty-
four hours, not having time to go to our houses to get
it. When these troops surrounded us, and we were
brought into a hollow square, the first persons that I
knew were men who had once professed to be beloved
230 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
brethren, and they were the men who piloted these mobs
into our city, namely William McLellin and Lyman E.
Johnson, two of the twelve ; John Whitmer and David
Whitmer, two of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon ;
William W. Phelps and scores of others, hail fellows well
met. A portion of the troops were painted like Indians,
and looked horrible, led by Neil Gillium, who styled him-
self 'The Delaware Chief;' who, with many others
cocked their guns upon us and swore they would blow
our brains out, although we were disarmed and helpless.
'William E. McLellin wanted to know where Heber
C. Kimball was. Some one pointed me out to him as I
was sitting on the ground. He came up to me and said:
'Brother Heber, what do you think of the fallen prophet
now ? Has he not led you blindfolded long enough ?
Look and see yourself, poor, your family stripped and
robbed, and your brethren in the same fix ; are you
satisfied with Joseph?' I replied, 'Yes, I am more satis-
fied with him a hundred fold than ever I was before, for
I see you in the very position that he foretold you would
be in ; a Judas to betray your brethren, if you did not
forsake your adultery, fornication, lying and abomina-
tions. Where are you ? What are you about ? You,
and Hinkle, and scores of others ; have you not betrayed
Joseph and his brethren into the hands of the mob, as
Judas did Jesus ? Yes, verily, you have ; I tell you
Mormonism is true, and Joseph is a true prophet of the
living God ; and you with all others that turn therefrom
will be damned and go to hell, and Judas will rule over
you.'
"Soon after this, when things began to be a little
more quiet, I desired to go to my home to get something
to eat as I had not eaten anything for many hours. I
asked some of the mob standing near, if I could not have
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 231
the privilege to go to my house, a little distance off ;
they referred me to their captain, who was Bogard, the
Methodist preacher. I went to him and told him what I
wanted. He first spoke of sending some one with me,
as I would be liable to be shot if found alone. In a
short time says he, 4 I will go with you.' He went down
to my house ; my wife prepared some dinner, and he
ate with me ; then we returned, and I took my seat on
the ground with my brethren who were under guard.
"The next day, 2nd, I was permitted to return to
my house, but was told not to leave the city, as it was
surrounded by a strong guard to prohibit anyone leaving
the place ; they were engaged in taking every man who
seemed to have any influence, and putting them in chains
to stand a trial. They were pointed out by the apostate
allies of the mob.
"We were brought up at the point of the bayonet
and compelled to sign a deed of trust, transferring all
our property to defray the expenses of this war made on
us by the State of Missouri. This was complied with,
because we could not help ourselves. When we walked
up to sign the deeds of trust to pay these assassins for
murdering our brethren and sisters, and their children ;
ravishing some of our sisters to death ; robbing us of our
lands and possessions and all we had on earth, and other
similar "services," they expected to see us cast down
and sorrowful, but I testify as an eye witness that the
brethren rejoiced and praised the Lord, for His sake
taking joyfully the despoiling of their goods. Judges and
magistrates, Methodist, Presbyterian, Campbellite and
other sectarian priests stood by and saw all this going
on, exulting over us, and it seemed to make them more
angry that we bore our misfortunes so cheerfully. Judge
Cameron said, with an oath, 'See them laugh and
232 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
kick up their heels. They are whipped, but not
conquered.'
4 'On the 6th, Gen. Clark delivered his noted exter-
mination speech, and read over the names of the
brethren who were made prisoners, to await a trial for
something, they knew not what, and placed under a
strong guard. In order that the tyrant may not be for-
gotten I insert a portion of his speech :
''Gentlemen, you whose names are not attached to
this list of names, will now have the privilege of
going to your fields and of providing corn, wood,
etc., for your families. Those who are now taken
will go from this to prison, be tried and receive
the due demerit of their crimes. But you (except-
ing such as charges may be hereafter preferred
against) are at liberty as soon as the troops are removed
that now guard the place, which I shall cause to be done
immediately. It now devolves upon you to fulfill the
treaty that you have entered into, the leading items of
which I shall now lay before you.
"The first requires that your leading men be given
up to be tried according to law ; this you have com-
plied with.
"The second is that you deliver up your arms this
has also been attended to. The third stipulation is that
you sign over your properties to defray the expenses
that have been incurred on your account ; this you have
also done. Another article yet remains for you to
comply with, and that is, that you leave the State forth-
with ; and whatever may be your feelings concerning
this, or whatever your innocence is, it is nothing to me.
General Lucas (whose military rank is equal to mine)
has made this treaty with you, and I approve of it. I
should have done the same had I been here, and am
therefore determined to see it executed.
"The character of this State has suffered almost
beyond redemption, from the character, conduct and
influence that you have exerted ; and we deem it an act
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 233
of justice to restore her character by every proper
means.
"The order of the Governor to me was that you
should be exterminated, and not allowed to remain in the
State. And had not your leaders been given up, and
the terms of the treaty complied with before this time,
your families would have been destroyed and your houses
in ashes.
"There is a discretionary power vested in my hands,
which, considering your circumstances, I shall exercise
for a season. You are indebted to me for this clemency.
I do not say that you shall go now, but you must not
think of staying here another season, or of putting in any
crops ; for the moment you do this the citizens will be
upon you ; and if I am called here again, in case of non-
compliance with the treaty made, do not think I shall act
as I have done now. You need not expect any mercy,
but extermination, for J am determined 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 minds that they
will be delivered and restored to you again, for theiry#fc
is fixed, the die is cast, their doom is sealed.
"lam sorry, gentlemen, to see so many apparently
intelligent men found in the situation that you are; and
oh ! if I could invoke that great Spirit of the unknown
God to rest upon and deliver you from that awful chain
of superstition, and liberate you from those fetters of
fanaticism with which you are bound that you no longer
do homage to a man.
"I would advise you to scatter abroad and never again
organize yourselves with Bishops, Priests, etc., lest you
excite the jealousies of the people and subject yourselves
to the same calamities 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 irretrievable
ruin."
234 LI FE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"He also said : "You must not be seen as many as
five together, if you are, the citizens will be upon you
and destroy you, but you should flee immediately out of
the state. There is no alternative for you but to flee,
you need not expect any redress ; there is none for you."
"I was present," continues Heber, "when that speech
was delivered, and I can truly say ' he is a liar and the truth
is not in him/ for not one of us had made any such
agreement with Lucas, or any other person ; what we
did was by compulsion in every sense of the word, and
as for Gen. Clark and his 'unknown God,' they had
nothing to do with our deliverance, but it was our
Father in heaven, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of
Jacob, in whom we trust, who liveth and dwelleth in the
heavens, and the day will come when our God will hold
him in derision with all his coadjutors."
"Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, Parley
P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, Amasa Lyman and George W.
Robinson were marched off for Independence, Jackson
County. It was rumored that all of the men who were
in the Crooked River battle would be taken prisoners,
therefore many of them fled to the north, before the
guards were placed around the city.
"I have no doubt that I would also have been taken
a prisoner, for every means was adopted by Hinkle to
have me taken, but he could not remember me. The
mob had not become acquainted with Brother Brigham,
as he lived three or four miles from the city on Mill
Creek ; and I had not been there over three weeks when
the mobbing commenced, and was only known by the
brethren, and many of them I had not seen since my
arrival."
Heber's wonderful influence over men, that power
of controlling and subduing their passions which won
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 235
for him from the Prophet Joseph the surname of
''peace-maker," here found an opportunity for its exer-
cise.
"One afternoon," says he, "I sent my son William
on an errand, a short distance, when one of the guards
drew up his rifle and threatened to blow out his brains if
he stepped one inch further towards the house. Through
the agency ot some of my brethren I was notified of it.
I went to the man and spoke to him in a friendly manner,
and conversed with him about the beautiful country, it
being more beautiful than England and the nations I had
been traveling in. He became very much interested;
in a short time I pointed out my son William ; says I,
'that is my son.' He said, 'if that is one of your sons,
he may pass, he may go home;' afterwards the man
came to my house several times and became very friendly.
"I merely mention this, to show the perils we were
in, men, women and children ; death .and destruction
waiting on us; and this spirit aroused by apostates such
as.Hinkle, who sold Joseph and his brethren, and actually
received money for betraying them.
"The murders, house-burnings, robberies, rapes,
drivings, whippings, imprisonments, and other sufferings
and cruelties inflicted upon the people of God, under
the illegal orders of Missouri's Executive, have only in
part been laid before the world, and form a page in his-
tory unsurpassed and unparalleled in the history of religi-
ous persecution that foulest of all crimes. This historic
page alone can credit Lilburn W. Boggs and his minions
with feeding the ministers of the proscribed religion on
the flesh of their murdered brethren ; the odium of which
is fully shared by the ministers of different denominations
who participated in these vile atrocities. If hell can fur-
nish a parallel where is it?
236 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
" I have not the ability to write what I saw and felt
and realized, but will leave it to eternity to reveal the
scenes of those days. I can say before God, angels,
heaven and earth, that I am innocent of violating any
law of the state of Missouri, and my brethren are equally
innocent and virtuous, true to their God and their country.
"The measure they meted to the Latter-day Saints
shall be measured to them again, and upon all those who
had a hand in our persecution and expulsion, and those
who consented to it, fouf-fold, full, running over, and
pressed down ; and AS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY LIVETH,
I SHALL LIVE TO SEE IT COME TO PASS ! *
"After the mob departed, I accompanied Brother
Brigham to Richmond jail, to see our brethren. We
found Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney and others chained togeth-
er in one room, and others confined in other places,
amongst the most dissolute asociations. We scarcely
had the privilege of speaking to our brethren more than
to say, 'how do you do,' every eye being upon us in sus-
picion. We put up at a public house for the night, and
I bear testimony, from our feelings and the spirit mani-
fested in that house, that there were legions of devils
present; I do not remember that either of us slept any
that night.
"November 2Qth, the brethren were removed to
Liberty Jail, in Clay County, and put in close confine-
ment.' 1
* During the great Civil War (1861-65) this region was literally baptized in fire and
blood.
CHAPTER XXXII.
MEMORIAL TO THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE A CHAPTER OF
INFAMY HOW MISSOURI REDRESSED THE WRONGS OF
THE SUFFERING SAINTS BRIGHAM AND HEBER SETTING
IN ORDER THE CHURCH ARRANGING FOR THE EXODUS.
THE brethren who retained their liberty addressed
a memorial to the Missouri Legislature, setting forth the
o o
wrongs that the Saints had suffered in that state, and
humbly petitioning for redress of grievances. As a con-
cise statement of the Missouri persecutions, with much
of which the history of Heber C. Kimball is identified,
and himself being one of the signers of the document,
it is here given a place in this volume:
"We, the undersigned petitioners and inhabitants of
Caldwell County, Missouri, in consequence of the late
calamity that has come upon us, taken in connection with
former afflictions, feel it a duty we owe to ourselves and
our country to lay our case before your honorable body
for consideration.
"It is a well known fact, that a society of our peo-
ple commenced settling in Jackson County, Missouri, in
the summer of 1831, where they, according to their
ability, purchased lands and settled upon them, with the
intention and expectation of becoming permanent citizens
in common with others.
" Soon after the settlement began, persecutions
began ; and as the society increased persecution also
increased, until the society at last was compelled to leave
the county ; and although an account of these persecu-
tions has been published to the world, yet we feel that it
will not be improper to notice a few of the most prom-
inent items in this Memorial.
238 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"On the 2Oth of July, 1833, a mob convened at
Independence, a committee of which called upon a few
of the men of our Church there, and stated to them that
the store, printing office, and indeed all other mechanic
shops must be closed forthwith and the society leave the
county immediately.
"These propositions were so unexpected that a cer-
tain time was asked for to consider the subject, before
an answer should be returned, which was refused, and
our men being individually interrogated, each one
answered that he could not consent to comply with their
propositions. One of the mob replied that he was sorry,
for the work of destruction would commence immediately.
In a short time the printing office, which was a two-story
building, was assailed by the mob and soon thrown down,
and with it much valuable property destroyed. Next
they went to the store for the same purpose ; but Mr.
Gilbert, one of the owners, agreeing to close it, they
abandoned their design. Their next move was the drag-
ging of Bishop Partridge from his house and family to
the public square, where, surrounded by hundreds, they
partially stripped him of his clothes, and tarred and
feathered him from head to foot. A man by the name
of Allen was also tarred at the same time. This was
Saturday and the mob agreed to meet the following
Tuesday, to accomplish their purpose of driving or mas-
sacreing the society.
"Tuesday came, and the mob came also, bearing with
them a red flag in token of blood. Some two or three
of the principal men of the society, offered their lives if
that would appease the wrath of the mob, so that the
rest of the society might dwell in peace upon their lands.
The answer was that unless the Society would leave en
masse, every man should die for himself. Being in a
defenseless situation, to save a general massacre, it was
agreed one half of the society should leave the county
by the ist of January, and the remainder by the first of
the following April. A treaty was entered into and rati-
fied and all things went on smoothly for awhile. But
some time in October, the wrath of the mob began again
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 239
to be kindled, insomuch that they shot at some of our
people, whipped others, and threw down their houses
and committed many other depredations ; indeed the
society of Saints were harassed for some time both day
and night, Their houses were brick-batted and broken
open, women and children insulted, etc.
"The store-house of A. S. Gilbert and Co. was broken
open, ransacked and some of the goods strewed in the
streets.
"These abuses, with many others of a very aggra-
vated nature, so stirred up the indignant feelings of our
people, that when a party of them, say about thirty, met a
company of the mob of about double their number, a
skirmish took place, in which some two or three of the
mob, and one of our people were killed. This raised,
as it were, the whole country in arms, and nothing would
satisfy them but the immediate surrender of the arms of
our people, and they forthwith to leave the county.
Fifty-one guns were given up, which have never been
returned or paid for, to this day.
"The next day parties of the mob, from fifty to
seventy, headed by priests, went from house to house,
threatening women and children with death if they were
not off before they returned. This so alarmed them
that they fled in different directions : some took shelter
in the woods, while others wandered on the prairies till
their feet bled. In the meantime, the weather being
very cold, their sufferings in other respects were very
great.
"The society made their escape to Clay County as
fast as they possibly could, where the people received
them kindly and administered to their wants. After the
society had left Jackson County, their buildings, amount-
ing to about two hundred, were either burned or
otherwise destroyed ; and much of their crops, as well as
furniture, stock etc., which if properly estimated would
make a large sum, for which they have not as yet
received any remuneration.
"The .Society remained in Clay County nearly three
years, when at the suggestion of the people there, they
240 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
removed to that section of the country known now as Cald-
well County. Here the people purchased out most of the
former inhabitants, and also entered much of the wild
land. Many soon owned a number of eighties, while
there was scarcely a man that did not secure to himself
at least a forty.
"There we were permitted to enjoy peace for a
season ; but as our society increased in numbers and
settlements were made in Daviess and Carroll Counties,
the mob spirit spread itself again.
"For months previous to our giving up our arms to
General Lucas' army, we heard little else than rumors
of mobs collecting in different places, and threatening
our people. It is well known that the people of our
Church, who had located themselves at De Witt, had to
give up to a mob, and leave the place, notwithstanding
the militia were called out for their protection.
"From De Witt the mob w r ent towards Daviess
County, and while on their way there took two of our
men prisoners and made them ride upon the cannon,
and told them they would drive the Mormons from
Daviess to Caldwell and from Caldwell to hell, and that
they would give them no quarter, only at the cannon's
mouth. The threats of the mob induced some of our
people to go to Daviess to help to protect their brethren,
who had settled at Diahman on Grand river. The mob
soon fled from Daviess County ; and after they were
dispersed and the cannon taken, during which time no
blood was shed, the people of Caldwell returned to their
homes, in hope of enjoying peace and quiet ; but in this
they were disappointed, for a large mob was soon found
to be collecting on the Grindstone forks of Grand River,
from ten to fifteen miles off, under the command of
Cornelius Gillium, a scouting party of which came within
four miles of Far West and drove off stock belonging to
our people in open day light.
"About this time word came to Far West, that a
party of the mob had come into Caldwell County to the
south of Far West, and were taking horses and cattle,
burning houses and ordering inhabitants to leave their
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 241
homes immediately ; and that they had then actually in
their possession three men prisoners. This report
reached Far West in the evening and was confirmed
about midnight. A company of about sixty men went
forth under the command of David W. Patten to
disperse the mob as they supposed. A battle was
the result, in which Captain Patten and two of his
men were killed and others wounded. Bogart, it
appears, had but one killed and others wounded. Not-
withstanding the unlawful acts committed by Captain
Bogart's men previous to the battle, it is now asserted
and claimed that he was regularly ordered out as a militia
captain to preserve the peace along the line of Ray and
Caldwell Counties. That battle was fought four or five
o
days previous to the arrival of General Lucas and his
army. About the time of the battle with Captain Bogart
a number of our people who were living near Haun's
mills, on Shoal Creek, about twenty miles below Far
West, together with a number of emigrants who had
been stopped there in consequence of the excitement,
made an agreement with the mob which was about there,
that neither party should molest the other, but dwell in
peace. Shortly after this agreement was made a mob
party of from two to three hundred, many of whom are
supposed to be from Chariton County, some from Daviess,
and also those who had agreed to dwell in peace, came
upon our people there, whose number in men was about
forty, at a time when they little expected any such thing and
without any ceremony, notwithstanding they begged for
quarter, shot them down as they would tigers or
panthers. Some few made their escape by fleeing,
eighteen were killed and a number more were severely
wounded.
"This tragedy was conducted in the most brutal and
savage manner. An old man, after the massacre was
partially over, threw himself into their hands and begged
for quarter when he was instantly shot down ; that not
killing him they took an old corn cutter and literally
mangled him to pieces. A lad of ten years of age, after
being shot down also begged to be spared, when one of
242 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
them placed the muzzle of his gun to his head and blew
out his brains.
"The slaughter of these not satisfying the mob they
then proceeded to rob and plunder.
"The scene that presented itself after the massacre
to the widows and orphans of the killed is beyond
description. It was truly a time of weeping, of mourn-
ing and of lamentation.
"As yet we have not heard of any being arrested
for these murders, notwithstanding there are men boast-
ing about the county that they did kill on that occasion
more than one " Mormon;" whereas all our people who
were in the battle with Captain Patten against Bogart,
that can be found, have been arrested, and are now con-
fined in jail to await their trial for murder.
"When General Lucas arrived near Far West and
presented the Governor's order, we were surprised
greatly, yet we felt willing to submit to the authorities of
the state. We gave up our arms without reluctance.
We were then made prisoners and confined to the limits
of the town for about a week, during which time the
men from the country were not permitted to go to their
families many of whom were in a suffering condition for
the want of food and firewood, the weather being very
cold and stormy. Much property was destroyed by the
troops in town during their stay there, such as burning
house logs, rails, corn cribs, boards, etc., the using of
corn and hay, the plundering of houses, the killing of
cattle, sheep, and hogs and also the taking of horses not
their own ; and all this without regard to owners or ask-
ing leave of anyone. In the meantime men were abused,
women insulted and abused by the troops and all this
while we were kept prisoners.
"Whilst the town was guarded we were called
together by the order of General Lucas, and a guard
placed close around us, and in that situation were
compelled to sign a deed of trust for the purpose of
making over our individual property, all holden as they
said, to pay all the debts of every individual belonging
to the Church, and also to pay for all damages the old
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 243
inhabitants of Daviess may have sustained in conse-
quence of the late difficulties in that county.
"General Clark now arrived and the first important
move made by him was collecting of our men together,
on the square, and selecting out about fifty of them'
whom he immediately marched into a house and confined
close. This was done without the aid of the sheriff or
any legal process. The next day forty six of those
taken were driven, like a parcel of menial slaves, off to
Richmond, not knowing why they were taken, or what
they were taken for. After being confined in Richmond
more than two weeks, about one half were liberated. The
rest, after another week's confinement, were most of them
required to appear at court and have since been let to bail.
"Since General Clark withdrew his troops from
Far West, parties of armed men have gone through the
county, driving off horses, sheep and cattle and also
plundering houses. The barbarity of General Lucas'
troops ought not to be passed over in silence. They
shot our cattle and hogs merely for the sake of destroy-
ing them, leaving them for the ravens to eat.
"They took prisoner an aged man named Tanner,
and without any reason for it, he was struck on the head
with a gun, which laid his skull bare. Another man by
the name of Carey was also taken prisoner by them and
without any provocation had his brains dashed out by a
gun. He was laid in a wagon and there permitted to
remain for the space of twenty-four hours, during which
time no one was permitted to administer to him comfort
or consolation ; and after he was removed from that
situation, he lived but a few hours.
"The destruction of property at and about Far
West is very great. Many are stripped bare as it were
and others partially so. Indeed, take us as a body, at
this time we are a poor and afflicted people, and if we
are compelled to leave the state in the spring, many, yes
a large portion ot our society, will have to be removed at
the expense of the state, as those who might have helped
them are now debarred that privilege in consequence of
the deed of trust we are compelled to sign, which deed
244 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
so operated upon our real estate that it will sell for little
or nothing at this time.
"We have now made a brief statement of some of
the most prominent features of the troubles that have
befallen our people since our first settlement in the state,
and we believe these persecutions have come in conse-
quence of our religious faith, and not for immorality on
our part. That instances have been, of late, when indi-
viduals have trespassed upon the rights of others and
thereby broken the laws of the land, we will not attempt
to deny ; but yet we do believe that no crime can be
substantiated against any of the people who have a
standing in our Church of an earlier date than the diffi-
culties in Daviess County.
"And when it is considered that the rights of this
people have been trampled upon from time to time with
impunity, and abuses heaped upon them almost innumer-
able, it ought in some degree to palliate for any infrac-
tion of the law which may have been made on the part
of our people.
"The late order of Governor Boggs to drive us
from this 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 state-
ment of our case to your 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 Legislature to inherit our lands in peace.
"We ask an expression of the Legislature, disap-
proving of the conduct of those who compelled us to sign
a deed of trust, and also disapproving of any man or set
of men taking our property in consequence of that deed
of trust, and appropriating it to the payment of damage
sustained in consequence of trespasses committed by
others.
"We have no common stock; our property is indi-
vidual property and we feel willing to pay our debts
as other individuals do. But we are not will-
ing to be bound for other peoples' debts also.
The arms which were taken from us here, which we
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 245
understand to be about six hundred and thirty, besides
swords and pistols, we care not so much about, as we do
the pay for them, only we are bound to do military duty,
which we are willing to do, and which we think was
sufficiently manifested by the raising of a volunteer com-
pany last fall at Far West, when called upon by General
Parkes to raise troops for the frontier.
"The arms given up by us we consider were worth
between twelve and fifteen thousand dollars ; but we
understand they have been greatly damaged since taken,
and at this time probably would not bring near their
former value. And as they were both here and in Jack-
son County, taken by the militia, and consequently by
the authority of the state, we therefore ask your Honor-
able Body to cause an appropriation to be made by law,
whereby we may be paid for them, or otherwise have
them returned to us and the damages made good. The
losses sustained by our people in leaving Jackson County,
are so situated that it is impossible to obtain any com-
pensation for them by law, because those who have sus-
tained them are unable to prove those trespasses upon
individuals. That the facts do exist that the buildings,
crops, stock, furniture, rails, timber, etc., of the society,
have been destroyed in Jackson County, is not doubted
by those who are acquainted in this upper country; and
since trespasses cannot be proven upon individuals, we
ask your Honorable Body to consider this case and if in
your liberality and wisdom you can conceive it to be pro-
per to make an appropriation by law to these sufferers,
many of whom are still pressed down with poverty in
consequence of their losses, would be able to pay their
debts, and also in some degree be relieved from poverty
and woe; whilst the widow's heart would be made to
rejoice, and the orphan's tears measurably dried up and
the prayers of a grateful people ascend on high, with
thanksgiving and praise to the author of our existence
for that beneficent act.
"In laying our case before your Honorable Body,
we say that we are willing, and ever have been, to conform
to the Constitution and laws of the United States, and
246 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
of this state. We ask in common with others the pro-
tection of the laws. We ask for the privilege guaranteed
to all free citizens of the United States and of this state, to
be extended to us, that we may be permitted to settle
and live where we please, and worship God according to
the dictates of our conscience without molestation. And
while we ask for ourselves this privilege we are willing
all others should enjoy the same.
"We now lay our case at the feet of your Legisla-
ture, and ask your Honorable Body to consider it, and
do for us, after mature deliberation, that which your wis-
dom, patriotism and philanthropy may dictate.
"And we as in duty bound will ever pray.
EDWARD PARTRIDGE,
"A committee appointed
by the citizens of Caldwell
County, to draft this
memorial and sign it in
their behalf.
HEBER C. KIMBALL,
JOHN TAYLOR,
THEODORE TURLEY,
BRIGHAM YOUNG,
ISAAC MORLEY,
GEORGE W. HARRIS,
JOHN MURDOCK,
JOHN M. BURK.
"Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri,
Dec. 10, 1838."
The only recognition given by the Legislature to
this pathetic appeal, this soul-harrowing recital of "bitter,
burning wrongs," enough to melt a heart of stone,
"To stir a fever in the blood of age,
And make the infant's sinews strong as steel,"
was the appropriation of the paltry sum of two thousand
dollars, to be distributed among the people of Daviess
and Caldwell Counties, "tiic Mormons not accepted"
O lavish generosity ! Two thousand dollars for a
city sacked and pillaged, fields and farms laid waste, and
homes given to the flames ; not to mention murders,
rapes, expulsions and other outrages nameless for their
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 247
enormity, committed upon a helpless people by a ruth-
less mob, in the sovereign name of the state of Missouri !
"THE MORMONS NOT EXCEPTED ! "
O world-wide philanthropy! Magnanimity unparal-
leled ! As though the Mormons had not been the main,
and well-nigh only sufferers from this horrible and hellish
invasion. Indeed, the only other losses sustained bar-
ring those inflicted by the oppressed people in sheer self-
defense were from depredations by the mobocrats them-
selves upon their own sympathizers, committed in such
a way as to seem the work of Mormons, who were falsely
accused of the devilish deeds and the public mind thus
inflamed against them.
And then, the manner of distributing this princes'
ransom! Surely the tactics of the average Indian agent
and post-trader there had their origin. The notorious
Judge Cameron had charge of the distribution ; a wretch
whose unpitying gaze had surveyed complacently the
wrongs and cruelties heaped upon the helpless Saints,
his serene equanimity of temper being disturbed only by
the patience and superhuman cheerfulness of the breth-
ren when compelled at the point of the bayonet to sign
away their property to pay the expenses of the war waged
against them. He was assisted by a man named McHenry.
Says Heber C. Kim ball :
"Judge Cameron drove in the hogs belonging to the
brethren (many of which were identified) shot them down
in the streets, and, without further bleeding they were
half-dressed, cut up and distributed by McHenry to the
poor, charging four or five cents per pound ; which,
together with a few pieces of refuse calicoes, at double
and treble price, soon consumed the appropriation."
And thus did the great state of Missouri redress the
wrongs of ten thousand innocent people, robbed and
248 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
trampled on without provocation by its mob militia, led
on and fired to their deeds of blood and plunder by poli-
tical demagogues and hireling priests of Christendom.
And this in the broad daylight of the nineteenth century,
in a land of religious liberty, on soil consecrated by the
blood of patriots ancestors of the people thus trampled
on and despoiled and in the presence of American
judges, magistrates and priests, affecting the calling, but
disgracing the name, of Christian !
Brigham and Heber, in the absence of their fellow
Apostles the remainder of the Twelve who had not
gone over to the enemy, being in prison for the Gospel's
sake, or away on missions proceeded to set in order
the Church at Far West, which was more or less scattered
and demoralized from the effects of the recent persecu-
tion. They were obliged to move secretly and with the
utmost caution, their lives and liberties being in jeopardy
from apostate spies and prowling mobocrats. They reor-
ganized the High Council, ''expressed their fellowship
with all who desired to do right," and filled the vacancies
occasioned by the absence of brethren who had fled out
of the state to save their lives.
On the nineteenth of December, they ordained John
Taylor and John E. Page to the apostleship.
The next step of the Apostles was to arrange for
the exodus of the Saints en masse, from this land of
tyrants, traitors and mobocrats, the blood-stained soil of
Missouri.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY INSTRUCT THE APOSTLES BRIGHAM
YOUNG CHOSEN PRESIDENT OF THE TWELVE THE
EXODUS BEGUN HKBER TARRIES IN MISSOURI TO MIN-
ISTER TO HIS IMPRISONED BRETHREN HIS FAITHFUL
BUT FRUITLESS EFFORTS FOR THEIR RELEASE THE
LORD SPEAKS TO IIEBER.
FROM Liberty Jail, January i6th, 1839, the First
Presidency addressed the following letter of instructions
to the Apostles :
" BROTHERS H. C. KIMBALL AND B. YOUNG:
" Joseph SinitJi Jun., Sidney Rig-don and
Hyrum Smith, prisoners for Jesus' sake, send greeting ;
In obedience to your request in your letter, we say to
you as follows : It is not wisdom for you to go out of
Caldwell with your families yet for a little season, until we
are out of prison, after which you may act at your pleas-
ure ; but though you take your families out of the State,
it will be necessary for you to return, and leave as before
designed, on the 26th of April.
"Inasmuch as we are in prison, for a little season, if
need be, the management of the affairs of the Church
devolves on you, that is the Twelve.
"The gathering of necessity is stopped ; but the con-
version of the world need not stop, but under wise man-
agement can go on more rapidly than ever.
"Where churches are built, let them continue where
they are, until a door is open to do otherwise, and let
every Elder occupy his own ground, and when he builds
a church, let him preside over it, and let not others run in
to trouble him ; and thus let every man prove himself unto
God that he is worthy. If we live, we live ; and if we
250 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
die for the testimony of Jesus, we die ; but whether we
live or die, let the work of God go on.
"Let the churches in England continue there till fur-
ther orders till a door can be opened for them, except
they choose to come to America and take their
chance with the Saints here. If they will do that
let them come ; and if they choose to come, they
would do well to send their wise men before them, and
buy out Kirtland, and the regions round about, or they
may settle where they can till things may alter.
It will be necessary for you to get the Twelve
together, ordain such as have not been ordained, or at
least such of them as you can get, and proceed to regu-
late the Elders as the Lord may give you wisdom. We
nominate George A. Smith and Lyman Sherman to take
the places of Orson Hyde and Thomas B. Marsh.
"Brethren, fear not, but be strong in the Lord and
in the power of His might. What is man that the ser-
vant of God should fear him, or the son of man, that he
should tremble at him. Neither think it strange concern-
ing the fiery trials with which we are tried, as though
some strange thing had happened unto us. Remember
that all have been partakers of like afflictions. There-
fore, rejoice in your afflictions, by which you are perfected
and through which the Captain of our Salvation was per-
fected also. Let your hearts and the hearts of all the
Saints be comforted with you, and let them rejoice
exceedingly, for great is our reward in heaven, for so the
wicked persecuted the prophets which were before us.
America will be a Zion to all that choose to come to it,
and if the churches in foreign countries wish to come,
let them do so. Say to Brother P. P. Pratt that our feel-
ings accord with his ; he is as we are, and we as he. May
peace rest upon him in life and in death.
"Brethren, pray for us, and cease not till our deliv-
erance comes, which we hope may come. We hope, we
say, for our families' sake.
"Let the Elders preach nothing but the first princi-
ples of the Gospel, and let them publish our afflictions
the injustice and cruelty thereof, upon the house tops.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 251
Let them write it and publish it in all the papers where
they go. Charge them particularly on this point.
"Brethren we remain yours in hope of eternal life,
lk SIDNEY RIGDON.
" JOSEPH SMITH, JR.
"HvRUM SMITH.
4i N. B. Appoint the oldest of those of the Twelve,
who were first appointed, to be the president of your
quorum. "J. S.
"S. R.
"H. S."
Agreeable to the instruction contained in the post-
script of this letter, Brigham Young was sustained by
the Apostles as president of their quorum. There were
but two, it will be remembered, of the original Twelve,
who were his seniors. One of these, Thomas B. Marsh,
had apostatized, and the other, the lamented David W.
Patten, was now filling a martyr's grave.
"On February /th," says Apostle Kimball, "I
accompanied Brother Brigham to Liberty to visit Joseph
and the brethren in prison. We had the privilege of
going in to see and converse with them ; stayed at
Liberty over night. Next morning we were permitted to
visit the prisoners again while they were at breakfast,
and returned during the da)' to Far West. When we
left there Lyman Sherman was somewhat unwell. In a
few days after our return he died. We did not notify
him of his appointment.
"I fitted up a small wagon, procured a span of
ponies, and sent my wife and three children in company
with Brother Brigham Young and his family, with several
others, who left Far West, Feb. I4th. Everything my
family took with them out of Missouri could have been
packed on the backs of two horses : the mob took all the
rest.
252 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
"Being a stranger there, I was requested by Joseph,
Brigham and others, to tarry and assist in getting the
brethren and families out of Missouri, and to wait upon
those brethren who were in prison.
"I went to Liberty almost every week to visit the
brethren ; generally the only way I had to communicate
with them was through the grates of their prison. Many
times, after I had traveled forty or fifty miles to see them,
I was denied the privilege by the jailor and the guards.
"I sent one hundred dollars by Brother Stephen
Markham to Joseph, and also various sums at different
times by other individuals.
"March i5th, the Prophet Joseph and others peti-
tioned Judge Tomkins, or either of the Supreme Judges
of the state of Missouri, for a state's writ of habeas corpiis,
that he and his brethren might be brought before either
of those judges, that justice might be administered. I
was requested by Joseph to go to Jefferson City and
present the petition. Theodore Turley was appointed
to accompany me. We took copies of the papers by
which the prisoners were held, with the petition to the
Supreme Judges, and immediately started a distance of
300 miles ; visited the judges, and laid the whole matter
before them individually, according to our best abilities;
neither of them would take any action in the case,
although they appeared friendly, and acknowledged that
the brethren were illegally imprisoned. We also pre-
sented a petition to the Secretary of State, the Governor
being absent. He appeared very kind, but like the other
officers he had no power to do good !
"We immediately returned to Liberty, where we
arrived on the 3oth and made Joseph and the rest of the
prisoners acquainted with the result of our mission,
through the grate of the dungeon, as we were not per-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 253
mitted to enter the prison. Joseph told us to be of good
cheer, for the Lord would deliver him and his brethren
in due time ; he also told us to tell the brethren to be of
good cheer, and get all the Saints away as fast as
possible.
"In company with Brother Turley, I visited Judge
Austin A. King, who was angry with us for presenting
his illegal papers to the Supreme Judges. He treated us
very roughly. I returned to Far West, April 5th.
"My family having been gone about two months,
during which time I heard nothing from them ; our
brethren being in prison ; death and destruction follow-
ing us everywhere we went ; I felt very sorrowful and
lonely. The following words came to my mind, and the
Spirit said unto me, 'write,' which I did by taking apiece
of paper and writing on my knee as follows :
"FAR WEST, April 6th, 1839.
A word from the Spirit of the Lord to my servant,
Heber C. Kimball :
"Verily I say unto my servant Heber, thou art my
son, in whom I am well pleased ; for thou art careful to
hearken to my words, and not transgress my law, nor
rebel against my servant Joseph Smith, for thou hast a
respect to the words of mine anointed, even from the
least to the greatest of them ; therefore thy name is
written in heaven, no more to be blotted out for ever,
because of these things; and this Spirit and blessing
shall rest down upon thy posterity for ever and ever ;
for they shall be called after thy name, for thou shalt
have many more sons and daughters, for thy seed shall
be as numerous as the sands upon the sea shore ; there-
fore, my servant Heber, be faithful, go forth in my name and
I will go with you, and be on your right hand and on your
left, and my angels shall go before you and raise you up
when you are cast down and afflicted ; remember that I
am always with you, even to the end, therefore be of
254 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
good cheer, my son, and my spirit shall be in your heart
to teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom.
Trouble not thyself about thy family, for they are in my
hands ; I will feed them and clothe them and make unto
them friends ; they never shall want for food nor raiment,
houses nor lands, fathers nor mothers ; brothers nor
sisters ; and peace shall rest upon them forever ; if thou
wilt be faithful and go forth and preach my gospel to the
nations of the earth ; for thou shalt be blessed in this
thing: thy tongue shall be unloosed to such a degree
that has not entered into thy heart as yet, and the chil-
dren of men shall believe thy words, and flock to the
water, even as they did to my servant John ; for thou
shalt be great in winning souls to me, for this is thy gift
and calling ; and there shall be no gift withheld from thee,
if thou art faithful. Therefore, be faithful, and I will give
thee favor in the eyes of the people ; be humble and kind
and you shall obtain kindness ; be merciful and you shall
obtain mercy; and I will be with you even unto the end.
Amen.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
A WORD FOR THE FALLEN ONLY GOD KNOWETH THE WHERE-
FORE AND WHY ORSOX HYDE'S REPENTANCE AND
RETURN TO THE CHURCH HEBER C. KIMBALL AND
HYRUM SMITH HIS CHAMPIONS ISAAC RUSSELI/S APOS-
TASY HEBER WRITES TO THE CHURCH IN ENGLAND.
"BE merciful and you shall obtain mercy." The
word of the Lord unto His servant Heber. The word
of the Lord unto His disciples in days of old. The voice
of universal charity, breathing forth the spirit of Christ
upon a weak, a sinful and a fallen world.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain
mercy."
Why should we rail at the fallen? Why not rather
weep, when a brother or a sister sins? Why hate them
for what is their misfortune? The heavens wept over
fallen Lucifer, and even Michael, the archangel, contend-
ing with him for the body of Moses, "durst not bring
against him a railing accusation? "
None but the tempted know what trials are ; none
but the fallen what the fallen suffer, or how they endured
ere they fell. None but God can fully know the why
and wherefore of their fall.
" We see but half the causes of our deeds,
Seeking them wholly in the outer life."
What we deem chance, may be destiny ; what we
term accident, design. A greater knowledge than man's,
the knowledge of a God, can alone elucidate the mystery
256 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
of mortal actions, as seen by the dim uncertain light of
the flickering lantern of human wisdom.
He who is the Judge; who "putteth down one and
setteth up another;" who is angry with none save with
those who will not in all things acknowledge and obey
Him ; who bringeth order out of chaos, light out of dark-
ness, strength from weakness, life from death, and vic-
tory from seeming failure and defeat; He only can
entirely tell why some succeed where others fail, why
some are weak and some are strong, why false and true
are found together ; why "there must needs be an opposi-
in all things;" why demons as well as angels are essen-
tial ; why sun and shadow cross each other ; why joy and
sorrow, sweet and bitter, wine and wormwood, are in
life's cup commingled ; why the beacon lights the break-
er's foam ; why the stranded wreck, and the bark safely
anchored, each must tell its tale and point its moral for
the welfare of future generations.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain
mercy."
"To err is human ; to forgive divine."
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
but the greatest of these is charity."
"About this time," says Heber, "Orson Hyde came
to me feeling very sorrowful for the course he had
pursued the past few months ; he said it was because of
fear (Brother Hyde was sick just before the Far West
troubles commenced), and now lamented his folly and
asked me what he should do. I told him to give up his
school, remove his family and gather with the Church.
He wanted to know if I thought the brethren would for-
give him. I said, 'Yes.' He then asked, 'Will you
defend my case?' And I promised him I would."
Heber was as good as his word, and through his.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 257
mediation Brother Hyde was forgiven, after a humble
confession, and restored to fellowship. He was also
reinstated in his Apostleship, which he thenceforth magni-
fied unto the end of his days.
Heber enlisted as his fellow champion of the cause
of Brother Hyde, President Hyrum Smith, great-hearted
and merciful as himself, and when, at the next conference
of the Church, Joseph presented the name of Orson
Hyde to the congregation for their action, Hyrum and
Heber pleaded for him so earnestly that the Prophet said :
"If my brother Hyrum and Heber C. Kimball will
defend Orson Hyde, I will withdraw my motion,"
Thus did the voice of mercy, the voice of God, in
two of His noblest sons, plead and not in vain for the
fallen.
And what of Oliver, and David, and Sidney, and
scores of others who fell from grace, but many of whom,
penitent at life's eleventh hour, returned to lay the offer-
ing of a broken heart and a contrite spirit upon the altar
of God's infinite love ? Will they not find mercy, and
meet a judgment more just, than we in our narrow char-
ity know how to mete out to the erring?
Verily they will ; and more joy will there ever be in
the mansions of our Father, over the returning prodigal,
the soul that was lost and is found, than in the steadfast
faith of the righteous multitude, whose reward is that
they need no repentance.
Another Elder who fell away during this time of trouble,
was Isaac Russell, Heber's fellow missionary to England.
About thirty families followed him, accepting him as their
leader. Viewing with sorrow the fall of such men, his
former faithful companions in the ministry, Heber's mind
turned with some solicitude to the church in England,
which they, with himself, had been instrumental in found-
17
258 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
ing. He wrote to Joseph Fielding, President of the
Church in that land, as follows :
"I have only received two letters from you since I
came here. If you knew the feelings I have for the wel-
fare of that people your pen would not be so idle. May
God stir you up to diligence to feed His sheep ; for they
are children of my begetting through the Gospel. Think
it not strange that I speak thus ; for you know the feelings
that a father has for his children.
"Now, brethren, be faithful and visit the churches,
and exhort the Saints to be faithful in all things, and not
lay down their watch for a moment ; for there is great
danger of falling beneath the powers of darkness. Don't
think hard of me, brethren, for my plainness, for I am a
plain man, and God requires it of me, and the same of
you. Don't keep the Saints in ignorance of those things
I have made you acquainted with that is, our sufferings,
for they will know them when I come, and they will have
to pass through similar scenes. Don't be selfish ; for it
will not impoverish you to tell them all that I tell you.
"Your sister Mary left here about eight weeks ago,
also the rest of the wives of the prisoners, thinking that
they would be out in a few days. There are ten in
prison ; they are all well and in good spirits. I am going
to see them to-morrow if the Lord will.
"Mobs are common in this country; it is getting so
that there is no safety anywhere in this land. Prepare
yourselves for trouble wherever you go, for it awaits you
and all others that love the Lord and keep His command-
ments.
"Brethren, I want you to go to the north where
Brother Russell labored, and see what situation the
Saints are in, for I have some fears about them. Go and
strengthen them in the name of the Lord, for I think that
Russell is leading them astray.*
" Brethren, I can truly say that I have never seen
the Church in a better state since I have been a member
#This letter preceded, only by a few weeks, an epistle from Isaac Russell to the
Saints in Alston, England, of a nature "calculated to deceive and lead astray."
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 259
of it. What there are left are firm and steadfast, full of
love and good works.
"They have lost all their earthly goods, and are now
ready to go and preach the Gospel to a dying iv or Id !
"We have ordained about one hundred Elders into
the Seventies. There are about one hundred and fifty
who have gone into the vineyard this winter to preach
the Gospel, and many more will go in the spring, and
several will come to England with me in the summer or
fall.
" Elder Rigdon was bailed out of prison, and has
left Missouri. About ten thousand had gathered to this
state. By the first of May, next, there will not be one
left who has any faith. Not one-fourth part had any
teams to move with, and we had two hundred miles to
travel before we could get out of the state. I think
their deliverance is a great miracle."
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE BRETHREN IN LIBERTY JAIL JUDGE KING'S COUP D'ETAT
THE MOB AGAIN THREATEN FAR WEST FIENDS IN
HUMAN FORM THE PROPHET REGAINS HIS FREEDOM
THE APOSTLES FULFILL REVELATION FIRST CONFERENCE
OF THE CHURCH IN ILLINOIS.
JOSEPH and his brethren were still in the hands of the
enemy, but the hour of their deliverance was drawing
nigh. They had suffered severely in their confinement
from the cruelty of their captors, but most of them had
borne up bravely. Elder Rigdon, whose faith was begin-
ning to fail under the terrible tension of trial, rashly
exclaimed in a moment of despair: " Jesus Christ was a
26O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
fool to me in suffering." Soon after, he was released on
bail and set at liberty. The others were destined to tarry
in chains a little longer.
Judge King now ordered the removal of the pris-
oners from Liberty to Daviess County, fearing a change
of venue might be obtained to some other place where
the feeling against them was less intense, and the pros-
pect for a fair trial more favorable.
Heber C. Kimball and another of the brethren were
appointed to visit Judge Hughes, a friend of Joseph's, and
get him to attend the sitting of the court in Daviess County.
"The Judge," says Heber, "who had formerly been
an Indian agent, and was a very rough man in his lan-
guage, cursed the judges, the governor, and everybody
else who would not step forward and help the brethren
out of the hands of their persecutors, for he did not
believe they were guilty of any of the crimes alleged
against them ; he said there was no proof that they had
committed any crime worthy of imprisonment or death,
and that the Mormons had been meanly treated in Mis-
souri.
"There were several men in Liberty who were very
friendly to the brethren. I called on them when I went
there, and they treated me with great civility. General
Doniphan and General Atchison and several of the fore-
most men of the town were among them.
"Those I have mentioned and several others,
revolted at the scenes enacted against the Mormons, and
would have liberated the brethren had it not been for
'outside pressure,' that is, the strong prejudice against
us by the people, and their bloodthirstiness to kill the
prophets."
Meanwhile, the mob, not content with the ruin they
had wrought, continued to threaten the few Saints who
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 26 1
remained in Far West, evidently determined to carry out
the order of their chief, Governor Boggs, to "extermin-
ate the Mormons, or drive them from the state." The
main body of the Church, numbering from ten to twelve
thousand souls, had already left the state, and were
beyond the reach of Missourian mobs, encamped upon
the hospitable shores of Illinois.
"On the 1 4th of April, 1839," continues Heber, "the
committee who had been left to look after the wants of
the poor, removed thirty-six of the helpless families into
Tenney's grove, about twenty-five miles from Far West.
I was obliged to secrete myself in the corn-fields and
woods during the day and only venture out in the even-
ing, to counsel the committee and brethren in private
houses.
"On the morning of the iSth, as I was going to the
committee room to tell the brethren to wind up their
affairs and be off, or their lives would be taken, I was
met on the public square by several of the mob. One
of them asked, with an oath, if I was a Mormon.
"I replied, 'I am a Mormon.'
"With a series of blasphemous expressions, they
then threatened to blow my brains out, and also tried to
ride over me with their horses, in the presence of Elias
Smith, Theodore Turley and others of the committee.
"It was but a few minutes after I had notified the
committee to leave, before the mob gathered at the tith-
ing house, and began breaking clocks, chairs, windows,
looking-glasses and furniture, and making a complete
wreck of everything they could move, while Captain
Bogart, the county judge, looked on and laughed. A
mobber named Whittaker threw an iron pot at the head
of Theodore Turley and hurt him considerably, when
Whittaker jumped about and laughed like a madman ;
262 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
and all this at the time when we were using our utmost
endeavors to get the Saints away from Far West. The
brethren gathered up what they could, and fled from Far
West in one hour. The mob staid until the committee
left, and then plundered thousands of dollars worth of
property which had been left by the brethren and sisters
to assist the poor to remove.
''One mobber rode up, and, finding no convenient
place to fasten his horse to, shot a cow that was standing
near, while a girl was milking her, and while the poor
animal was struggling in death, he cut a strip of her hide
from the nose to her tail, to which he fastened his halter.
"During the commotion of this day, a great portion
of the records of the committee, accounts, history, etc.,
were destroyed or stolen.
"Hearing that Joseph and the brethren had escaped
from their guard while they were on their way from
Daviess to Boone County, to which place they had
obtained a change of venue, I called upon Shadrach
Roundy, with whom I started immediately towards Quincy.
''On reaching Keetsville, I stopped at the house of
Col. Price. The Colonel, hearing of my arrival, came
directly into the house, and discovering who I was, said,
'Joseph and Hyrum Smith and the other prisoners have
escaped.' I enquired what he knew about them. He
answered, 'their guard took breakfast here this morning ;
they have turned back, saying they were going to Rich-
mond, by way of Tenney's Grove. I know that the
guard has been bribed, or they would evince more inter-
est by pursuing them.' After we had partaken of refresh-
ment, Brother Roundy and I pursued our course towards
Quincy about fourteen or fifteen miles.
" Being thoroughly satisfied that the prisoners had
escaped, we turned back towards Far West. When we
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 263
arrived at Tenney's Grove a man came to me and pre-
sented an order drawn on me by Joseph Smith for $500,
saying" it was for horses furnished him. I immediately
raised $400, which I paid him, when he proceeded to
Richmond, Ray County, where he paid out some of
the money to secure lands that we had been driven
from.
''Brother Roundy and myself started a few hours
after for Richmond, being on our way to Far West, for
the purpose of visiting Parley P. Pratt and others, in jail,
On our arrival at Richmond, I went directly to the prison
to see Parley, but was prohibited by the guard, who said
they would blow my brains out if I attempted to go near
him. In a few minutes Sister Morris Phelps came to me
in great agitation, and advised me to leave forthwith, as
Parley P. Pratt had tolcl her that a large body of men
had assembled with tar, feathers and a rail, who swore
they would tar and feather me, and ride me on a rail,
suspecting I was the one who assisted Joseph and the other
prisoners to escape. I immediately informed Brother
Roundy, we jumped on our horses and fled towards Far
West, which was distant ; we rode all night, and reached
Far West about the break of day, expecting Brother
Brigham Young and the Twelve to arrive there that day."
April 26th, 1839, was the day appointed by revela-
tion for the Apostles to take leave of Far West on the
building spot of the Lord's House. As usual, when
times and seasons are given for foreknowledge is
power, with evil spirits as well as good Satan had dili-
gently sought to make the word of God of no effect.
The mob, with their apostate allies who had betrayed to
them the secrets of the kingdom, had sworn that this
o
revelation should not be fulfilled ; and having driven the
Saints from their homes, leaving only a few scattered
264 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
families in and around Far West, and imprisoned the
Church leaders, they flattered themselves that their wicked
oath had been verified.
Little knew they the men they were dealing with,
still less that God whose word they had vainly sought to
falsify; Him who hath said: "Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but my word shall not pass away."
Heber continues: "I kept myself concealed in the
woods, and passed round the country, notifying the
brethren and sisters to be on hand at the appointed time
for the laying of the corner stone.
"April 25th. This night, which was a beautiful,
clear moonlight, Elders Brigham Young, Orson Pratt,
John E. Page, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George
A. Smith, and Alpheus Cutler, arrived from Quincy,
Illinois, and rode into the public square early on the
morning of the 26th. All seemed still as death.
"April 26th, we held a conference at the house of
Brother Samuel Clark, cut off 31 persons from the
Church, and then proceeded to the building spot of the
Lord's house, where, after singing, we recommenced
laying the foundation, agreeably to the revelation given
July 8th, 1838, by rolling a stone, upwards of a ton
weight, upon or near the south-east corner.
"In company with Brother Brigham Young, we
ordained Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith (who
had been previously nominated by the First Presidency,
accepted by the Twelve, and acknowledged by the Church
at Ouincy) members of the quorum of the Twelve
Apostles ; and Darwin Chase and Norman Shearer, (who
were liberated from Richmond prison on the 24th inst,
where they had been confined about six months for the
cause of Christ) Seventies. They sat on the south-east
corner stone while we ordained them.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 265
"The Twelve then individually called upon the Lord
in prayer, kneeling on the corner stone ; after which
4 Adam-ondi-Ahman ' was sung.
"The brethren wandered among our deserted
houses, many of which were in ruins, and saw the streets
in many places grown over with weeds and grass.
"We went to Father Clark's, breakfasted, and
before sunrise departed. I accompanied my brethren,
riding thirty miles that day. We continued our journey
to Quincy, where I found my family well and in good
spirits, on the 2nd of May.
"On reading the words of inspiration which I had
written, my wife bore record to the truth of that part
which says, 'trouble not thyself about thy family for
they are in my hands ; I will feed them and clothe them,
and make unto them friends ; for they never shall want
for food nor raiment.' I learned from her that my family
continued with Brother Brigham until they crossed the
Mississippi, to the town of Atlas, in Illinois, where,,
through the instrumentality of George Pitkin, my wife
got introduced to a widow Ross, who let her have a very nice
comfortably fitted up room, and who was as kind to her
as an own mother or sister; here my wife tarried seven
weeks. At the end of that time John P. Greene took his
horses and wagon and carried my family up to Ouincy,
forty miles, and rented a good house, where I found her
on my leaving Missouri. She had had no lack of friends,
and had every comfort bestowed on her that she could
have had among her own kindred. And I can say in
my heart, God bless them all, and my Brother Brigham
for his great kindness in assisting them into Illinois. In
relation to that part which said I should have many sons
and daughters, she rather doubted that, as the thought
had never entered into her head, or mine, that the Lord
266 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
would establish in this Church the doctrine of plurality of
wives, in my day; still I believed it would be restored to
the earth in some future time.
''May 3rd, I went in company with Elder Brig-ham
Young, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and
George A. Smith, and rode four miles to Mr. Cleve-
land's to visit Joseph and Hyrum, who were as glad to
see us as we were to see them, once more enjoying their
liberty. I spent the day with them, and it was one of
the greatest days of rejoicing in my life, to once more
have the privilege of conversing with the Prophet, in
freedom.
" May 4th, I attended a general conference of the
Church near Ouincy, at which the Saints from all the
regions round about assembled It was a time which
o
will long be remembered by the Saints, being the first
conference held after their expulsion. The cases of
Brothers William Smith and Orson Hyde were brought
up. The conference granted them the privilege of
appearing personally before the next conference of the
Church to give an account of their conduct, but in the
meantime they were suspended from exercising the
functions of their office. The conference sanctioned the
proceedings of the Twelve on the Temple block at Far
West, and also sanctioned the intended mission of the
Twelve to Europe.
"The meetings continued for three days. Elder
Rigdon was appointed delegate to go to Washington
and lay the grievances of the Saints before the general
government. It was also resolved that a number of
Elders should accompany the Twelve on their mission to
Europe."
CHAPTER XXXVI.
NAUVOO THE BEAUTIFUL IIEBER/S PREDICTION OVER THE
FATED CITY ELDER RIGDOX's ALARM HEBER's SEC-
OND ENCOUNTER WITH EVIL SPIRITS PARLEY P. PRATT
ESCAPES FROM PRISON, FULFTLLIXG IIEBER's PROPHECY.
THE scene now changes to Commerce, afterwards
named Nauvoo, the famous gathering place of the Saints
in Illinois. Situated in a graceful bend on the east bank
of the Mississippi, on an eminence commanding a noble
view of the broad river and beyond, Nauvoo, even as
the site of the lovely city it soon became, well merited
its appellation of "the Beautiful."
It was forty miles above Ouincy, in which hospitable
town the exiled Saints had found a resting place and
kindly welcome, after their expulsion from Missouri.
In this region the Saints had commenced gathering,
and, having purchased lands, were now busily engaged
building up the new stake of Zion. The Church had
been purified by its baptism of fire, and much of its
human dross "burnt and purged away." Most of its
members that remained were of the pure gold, refined
by suffering, and throughout the community a better
feeling prevailed than ever before.
Heber's first visit to Commerce was on Sunday the
1 2th of May. On the 25th he again went up the river,
with several others of the Twelve, and spent the day
in council with Joseph and the brethren. While on the
water, standing by the railing of the boat, gazing in
admiration at the beautiful site of Nauvoo, Heber
268 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
observed: "It is a very pretty place, but not a long
abiding home for the Saints."
This remark was carried to the ears of Elder Rig-
don and his family, who were comfortably quartered
in a nice stone house built by Dr. Isaac Galland, from
whom the Saints had purchased some of their lands.
Heber's reputation as a prophet was by this time pretty
well established in Israel, and Sidney, who had had about
as much persecution as he could stand, and was in nowise
hankering after a repetition of the Missouri scenes, was
considerably alarmed at his words, dreading their pro-
phetic potency. At the council, which was held at the
house of the Prophet Joseph, Sidney remarked that he
had some feelings against Elder Kimball, and then, refer-
ring to the prediction of the latter in relation to the city
of the Saints, said, petulantly:
"I should suppose that Elder Kimball had passed
through sufferings and privations and mobbings and
drivings enough, to learn to prophesy good concerning
Israel."
With a mixture of meekness and humor, Heber
replied :
"President Rigdon, I'll prophesy good concerning
you all the time if you can get it."
The retort amused Joseph, who laughed heartily
with the brethren, and Elder Rigdon yielded the point.
Joseph now advised the Apostles, such as had not
done so already, to move their families up to Commerce.
Says Heber:
"I immediately went and moved my family up in a
wagon, to a place belonging to Brother Bozier, about
one mile from Commerce, where I pulled down an old
stable, and laid up the logs at the back end of the Bozier
house, putting a few shakes on to cover it ; but it had
LIFE OF HEBER C. KTMBALL. 269
no floor nor chinking; and in this condition I moved my
family into it ; whenever it rained, the water stood near
ankle deep on the ground. There were some half dozen
families in the Bozier house.
"One night I was awakened out of my sleep by my
wife making a noise as if choking; I asked what was
the matter; she replied that she had dreamt that a per-
sonage came and seized her by the throat and was chok-
ing her. I immediately lit a candle, and saw that her
eyes were sunken and her nose pinched in, as if she was
in the last stage of the cholera. I laid my hands upon
her and rebuked that spirit in the name of Jesus and by
the power of the holy Priesthood, and commanded it to
depart. In a moment afterwards I heard some half a
dozen children in different parts of the Bozier House
crying as if in great distress ; the cattle began to bellow
and low ; the horses neighed and whinnied ; the dogs
barked, and hogs squealed ; the hens cackled, and the
roosters crowed, and everything around was in great
commotion. In a few minutes afterwards I was sent for to
lay hands on Sister Bentley, formerly the wife of David W.
Patten, who was seized in a similar manner to my wife.
My wife continued quite feeble for several days from the
shock.
"One day while visiting Joseph, he took me a walk
by the river side, when he requested me to relate the
occurrence at Brother Bozier's. After I had done so, I
also told him of our vision of the evil spirits in England,
on the opening of the Gospel to that people. He then
gave me a relation of many contests that he had had
with Satan, and his power that had been manifested from
time to time since the commencement of bringing forth
the Book of Mormon. I will relate one circumstance
that took place at Far West, in a house that Joseph had
270 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
purchased, which had been formerly occupied as a public
house by some wicked people. A short time after he
got into it, one of his children was taken very sick ; he
laid his hands upon the child, when it got better ; as soon
as he went out of doors, the child was taken sick again ;
he again laid his hands upon it, so that it again recov-
ered. This occurred several times, when Joseph inquired
of the Lord what it all meant ; then he had an open vision,
and saw the devil in person, who contended with Joseph,
face to face, for some time. He said it was his house, it
belonged to him, and Joseph had no right there. Then
Joseph rebuked Satan in the name of the Lord, and he
departed and touched the child no more.
"July 2nd, I went with Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney and
others, over the river to Montrose ; rode four miles and
looked out the site of the town of Zarahemla. We dined
at Brother Woodruffs. After dinner we all went to
Brigham Young's, when Wilford Woodruff and George
A. Smith were blessed as two of the Twelve Apostles ;
and Theodore Turley was blessed as a Seventy. Brother
Hyrum gave the Twelve some good advice on the nature
of their mission ; to practice prudence and humility in
their preaching, and to strictly hold on to the authority
of the Priesthood. Brother Joseph taught many glorious
and important principles to benefit and bless them on
their mission ; teaching them to observe charity, wisdom,
and a fellow feeling for each other, and love one towards
another, in all things, and under all circumstances, unfold-
ing keys of knowledge, to detect Satan, and preserve us
in the favor of God."
Some time before Heber had written to Elder
Parley P. Pratt, who was still in prison in Missouri, giv-
ing him the particulars of the conference at Far West,
on the 26th of April, with the resolution of the Priest-
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 271
hood that the Twelve should have their shackles stricken
off, and go forth preaching the Gospel to the world, leav-
ing their families to be provided for, in their absence, by
the Bishops. He added :
"The Presidency feel well towards you. They say
you must come out of that place, and so I say; for I do
not feel as though I can go to England until I take you
by the hand. When this takes place my joy will be full.
Be of good cheer, brother; a few days now, and you
shall see the salvation of God ; and I shall see you in
other lands, publishing peace to the captives. My deter-
mination is to be a man of God, and to try to save souls
from their sins, let others clo as they may. I will try to
keep my eye on the mark, that is, Christ, the Son of the
living God, His grace assisting me. The Twelve have
all left Ouincy. Your brother Orson is about twenty-five
miles from here. Whatever you do, do quickly!
"July loth," continues the prophet Heber, "Elder
Parley P. Pratt arrived from his imprisonment in Mis-
souri. When I heard that he was in Ouincy I went there
and assisted him and Orson Pratt up to Commerce. His
escape caused much rejoicing among the Saints. A few
days afterwards he and I purchased five acres each, of
woodland, from Hyrum Kimball. They lay adjoining
each other, one mile from the river. He and I went to
work to cut each a set of logs fourteen by sixteen feet
in length, which we cut in one day. We then invited
some of the old citizens, viz., Brother Bozier, D. H. Wells,
Lewis Robison and others to come and assist us to put
them up ; as our people were mostly prostrate by sick-
ness. We drew them and put them up the next day. I
got a man to assist me to hew puncheon for the floor, and
to make some shakes to cover the roof, which were similar
to a shingle, or a stave for a barrel. I drew the rock
272 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
and built a chimney, and just got to the ridge of the
house, when I was taken down prostrate by the chills
and fever. My wife was also laid prostrate. In the
meantime Brother Orson Pratt moved his family into the
little shanty with me."
CHAPTER XXXVII.
AN EPIDEMIC OF DISEASE JOSEPH HEALS THE MULTITUDE
BRIGHAM AND HEBER START ON THEIR MISSION TO
ENGLAND SICKNESS BY THE WAY HEBER POISONED
HIS LIFE SAVED BY BRIGHAM.
TWELVE months had elapsed since the word of the
Lord came for the Apostles to depart and "go over the
great waters" to promulgate the Gospel. They had
fulfilled the revelation in so far as to take leave of the
Saints in Far West, at the time and place appointed, but
the toils and trials incident to settling their new home
had unavoidably delayed their departure from America.
One of these trials was an epidemic which swept
over Nauvoo and the neighboring towns, prostrating
many of the inhabitants with sickness ; partly due, no
doubt, to the moist, malarial nature of the soil in and
around the lower portions of the new settlement, but
greatly enhanced by the physical weakness of the Saints,
resulting from their recent privations and sufferings in
Missouri. So general and widespread was the sickness
that scarcely a family in Nauvoo or the vicinity entirely
escaped the scourge.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 273
But this unhappy condition of affairs rendered
doubly disheartening from following so closely upon the
Missouri troubles was not without its recompense. It
was the occasion of a marvelous and miraculous display
of divine power in behalf of the Lord's afflicted people.
Heber thus describes the event:
"July 22nd, the Prophet Joseph arose from his bed
of sickness, when the power of God rested upon him,
and he went forth administering to the sick. He com-
menced with the sick in his own house, then visited those
who were camping in tents in his own dooryard, command-
ing the sick in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise
from their beds and be whole ; when they were healed
according to his words. He then went from house to
house, and from tent to tent, upon the bank of the river,
healing the sick by the power of Israel's God, as he went
among them. He did not miss a single house, wagon or
tent, and continued this work up to ' the upper stone
house,' where he crossed the river in a boat, accompanied
by Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, John
Taylor and myself, and landed at Montrose. He then
walked into the cabin of Brother Brigham Young, who
was lying very sick, and commanded him in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ to arise and be made whole. He
arose, healed of his sickness, and then accompanied
Joseph and his brethren of the Twelve, and went into the
house of Brother Elijah Fordham, who was insensible,
and considered by his family and friends to be in the
hands of death. Joseph stepped to his bedside, looked
him in the eye for a minute without speaking, then took
him by the hand and commanded him in the name of
Jesus Christ to arise from his bed and walk. Brother
Fordham immediately leaped out of his bed, threw off all
his poultices and bandages, dressed himself, called for a
18
274 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
bowl of bread and milk, which he ate, and then followed
us into the street. We then went into the house of
Joseph B. Noble, who was also very sick, and he was
healed in the same manner.
''Joseph spoke with the voice and power of God.
"When he had healed all the sick by the power
given unto him he went down to the ferry boat, when a
stranger rode up almost breathless, and said that he had
heard that Joseph Smith was raising the dead, and heal-
ing all of the sick, and his wife begged him to ride up
and get Mr. Smith to go down and heal her twin children,
about three months old. Joseph replied, 'I cannot go,
but will send some one.' In a few minutes he said to
Elder Woodruff, ' You go and heal those children, and
take this pocket handkerchief, and when you administer
to them, wipe their faces with it, and they shall recover.'
Brother Woodruff did as he was commanded, and the
children were healed.
"The mob spirits, when they saw men whom they
thought were dying, arise from their beds, and pray for
others, stood paralyzed with fear; yet those same men
would have killed Joseph and his brethren if they had
had an opportunity. Joseph recrossed the river to
his own home and I returned to mine, rejoicing in the
mercies and goodness of God. This was a day never to
be forgotten by the Saints ; nor by the wicked ; for they
saw the power of God manifest in the flesh."
"August 4th, being Sunday, the Saints met to par-
take of the sacrament, and received an exhortation from
the Prophet Joseph, impressing upon them the necessity
of being righteous and clean of heart before the Lord.
He also commanded the Twelve to go forth without
purse or scrip, according to the revelations of Jesus
Christ.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 275
" During the night of August 23rd, my son, David
Patten, was born in Commerce, in the log cabin I had put
up at the end of the Bozier house. We had a heavy
thunderstorm that night, but the hand of the Lord was
over us. As soon as my wife was able I moved my
family into the new log house that I had built."
September came, and the Apostles prepared to take
leave of their families and friends and depart on their
mission to Europe. Again the evil one laid his plans to
circumvent them. As he once afflicted righteous Job,
striving to overthrow his trust in God, he now sought by
similar means to undermine the faith and integrity of
these latter-day servants of the Lord. But his efforts
were unavailing ; he had the same class of spirits to con-
tend with as in days of old ; men who could say with
the patient man of Uz, though bowed in sorrow and
humiliation: "I know that my Redeemer liveth," and
"though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him."
"September i4th," says Heber, "President Brigham
Young left his home at Montrose to start on the mission
to England. He was so sick that he was unable to go
to the Mississippi, a distance of thirty rods, without
assistance. After he had crossed the river he rode
behind Israel Barlow on his horse to my house, where
he continued sick until the i8th. He left his wife sick
with a babe only three weeks old, and all his other child-
ren were sick and unable to wait upon each other. Not
one soul of them was able to go to the well for a pail of
water, and they were without a second suit to their backs,
for the mob in Missouri had taken nearly all he had.
On the 1 7th Sister Mary Ann Young got a boy to carry
her up in his wagon to my house, that she might
nurse and comfort Brother Brigham to the hour of
starting.
276 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
" September i8th, Charles Hubbard sent his boy
with a wagon and span of horses to my house ; our
trunks were put into the wagon by some brethren ; I
went to my bed and shook hands with my wife who was
then shaking with a chill, having two children lying sick
by her side ; I embraced her and my children, and bade
them farewell. My only well child was little Heber P.,
and it was with difficulty he could carry a couple of
quarts of water at a time, to assist in quenching their
thirst.
"It was with difficulty we got into the wagon, and
started down the hill about ten rods ; it appeared to me
as though my very inmost parts would melt within me at
leaving my family in such a condition, as it were almost
in the arms of death. I felt as though I could not endure
it. I asked the teamster to stop, and said to Brother
Brigham, 'This is pretty tough, isn't it; let's rise up and
give them a cheer.' We arose, and swinging our hats
three times over our heads, shouted: 'Hurrah, hurrah
for Israel.' Vilate, hearing the noise, arose from her
bed and came to the door. She had a smile on her face.
Vilate and Mary Ann Young cried out to us: 'Good
bye, God bless you/ We returned the compliment, and
then told the driver to go ahead. After this I felt a spirit
of joy and gratitude, having had the satisfaction of see-
ing my wife standing upon her feet, instead of leaving
her in bed, knowing well that I should not see them again
for two or three years.
"We were without purse or scrip, and were carried
across the prairie, about fourteen miles, to a shanty near
the railway, where Brother O. M. Duel lived. We were
unable to carry our small trunks into the house ; Sister
Duel seeing our feeble condition, assisted the boy to
carry them in.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 277
"Sep. iQth, Brother Duel took us in his wagon to
Lima, about twelve miles. When he left us he grave
each of us a dollar. Brother Bidwell then carried us in
his wagon to John A. Mickesell's, near Quincy, about
twenty miles. The fatigue of this day's journey was too
much for our feeble health ; we were prostrated, and
obliged to tarry a few days in Quincy.
"Sep. 25th, we left Quincy about n a. m., as we felt
considerably better. My sorrow was great, to see so
many of our brethren sick and dying, in consequence of
being driven, and exposed to hunger and cold. Brother
Lyman Wight took us in a one horse wagon and carried
us to Brother C. C. Rich's at Burton, where we slept
through the night. Brother Wight predicted many
things, and left his blessings with us when he bade us
farewell.
"Sep. 26th, Brother Rich carried us to Brother Wil-
ber's ; while on the road the chills came on me again, and
I suffered much pain and fatigue.
"Sep. 27th, Brother Wilber took us in a buggy
about twenty-five miles to the house of James Allred, in
Pittsfield.
"Sep. 28th, Father Allred carried us to the place
where Brother Harlow Redfield lived. There we
preached to a small branch of the Church, on Sunday,
29th.
"Sep. 3oth, Brother Rodgers carried Brother Brig-
ham to Brother Decker's, and myself to Mr. Roswell
Murray's ; they were living within a few rods of each
other, near Winchester in Scott County.
"Here we also found a few brethren in the Church,
who had been smitten and robbed of their property in
Missouri; who were once more in comfortable circum-
stances, rejoicing in the Lord.
278 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
''Oct. ist, we were carried to Lorenzo D. Young's,
a brother of Brigham Young, where we stayed and
recruited our strength until the 4th, when he^carried us
to Jacksonville, where we stayed the night.
"Oct. 5th, a sister in the Church hired a horse and
buggy to carry us to Springfield, and Brother Babcock
drove us there, a distance of thirty-five miles, where we
were gladly received by the brethren and nursed.
Brother Brigham was confined to his bed by sickness.
Brother Libius T. Coon, who was practicing ^medicine,
attended upon him. Here we found Brothers G. A.
Smith, Turley, and R. Hedlock.
"I went from house to house, strengthening the
brethren and teaching them the things of the kingdom.
I was so far recovered that I preached on the Sabbath.
They got a two horse wagon and harness, for which they
paid fifty-five dollars, and collected thirty-five dollars in
money, for the company.
"Judge Adams, one of the judges of the Supreme
Court, took me to his house ; I stayed with him three
nights and the most part of three days. He gave me
five dollars when I left. My father-in-law, Roswell Mur-
ray, went with us on a visit to his friends in the East.
"Oct. nth, resumed my journey in company with
Brothers Young, Turley, Smith, Hedlock and Murray.
The brethren exchanged horses in Springfield, and with
the assistance we received from the brethren living there,
we succeeded in obtaining one horse and a two-horse
wagon, in which the sisters fitted up a bed for Brother
Brigham to ride on, as he was unable to sit up. We
traveled eight miles with the three-horse team, and put
up at the house of Father Baker. When we went into
the house, Brother George A. Smith, while stooping
down to warm him at the fire, dropped a small flask
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 2/9
bottle, containing tonic bitters, out of his pocket, on the
hearth, and broke it; at this occurrence Father Baker
was very much astonished, and said, 'You're a pretty set
of Apostles, to be carrying a bottle of whisky with you.'
We explained to him that the bottle contained some
bitters which the brethren at Springfield had prepared
for George A. because of his sickness ; this appeased his
righteous soul, so that he consented to allow us to stay
through the night.
"Oct. 1 2th, we pursued our journey towards Terre
Haute ; traveled all day ; most of the brethren being very
sick I walked most of the way ; at night I slept in the
wagon with my father-in-law and Brother Hedlock, and
caught cold ; the next morning I had to go until twelve
o'clock before I had anything to eat, and then it was
transparent pork and corn dodger. My health again
began to fail ; the wagon broke down twice, and the chills
came on me about two in the afternoon, and held me till
night; then the fever held me all night. I had the chills
and fever three days, and lost my appetite. The third
chill was so severe that it seemed as though I could not live
till night. We arrived at Terre Haute about dusk on
the 1 7th; Brother Young and I put up at Dr. Modisett's.
In the evening I became very ill. The doctor said he
could give me something that would do me good, that
would relieve me of my distress, and I would probably
get a nap ; but the old man was so drunk that he did not
know what he did, and he gave me a tablespoonful of
morphine ; his wife saw him pour it out, but dared not
say a word, although she believed it would kill me. In a
few minutes after I took it, I straightened up in my chair,
complaining of feeling very strange, and felt as though I
wanted to lie down. On my attempting to go to the
bed, I reeled and fell to the floor. There was hardly a
28O LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
breath of life in my body. Brother Brigham rolled me
over on my back, put a pillow under my head, and
inquired of 'the doctor what he had given me, and then
learned that he had given me morphine. I lay there for
a long time ; when I came to, Brother Brigham was
attending to me with a fatherly care, and manifesting
much anxiety in my behalf. I told him, ' Don't be scared,
for I sha'n't die.' In a short time after he had got me on
the bed, I commenced vomiting, and continued doing so
most of the night. It was through the closest attention
of Brother Young and the family that my life was pre-
served through the night. In the morning Brothers
Smith, Turley, Hedlock and Murray came to see us.
They laid their hands on me and prayed for me. When
they left they wept. Father Murray felt very sorrowful;
said he, 'we shall never see Heber again; he will die.'
I looked up at them and said, 'Never mind, brethren, go
ahead, for Brother Brigham and I will reach Kirtland
before you will.' Brother Brigham gave them all the
money we had except five dollars, and told them to take
good care of the team, and make all possible speed to
Kirtland. They started the same day. In about an hour
after they departed I arose from my bed."
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
ON TO KIRTLAND MIRACULOUSLY SUPPLIED WITH MONEY
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS AT THE OLD CHURCH HEAD-
QUARTERS.
HAVING partly recovered from the effects of this
narrow escape from death, Heber and his fellow Apostle
resumed their journey to Kirtland. The record con-
tinues :
"October 23rd, Brother James Modisett took us in
his father's carriage twenty miles, to the house of Brother
Addison Pratt. From thence we were carried by Dr.
Knight to Pleasant Garden, and put up with Brother
Jonathan Crosby. We found a few brethren who were
well and in good spirits. We remained there three
days, preaching to the few brethren, and those who
wished to hear. Dr. Knight and some others gave us
some money to assist us on our mission.
"Oct. 25th, I received a letter from my wife, giving
an account of her sickness since I left; also of our
children William and Helen.
"Oct. 26th, Brother Babbitt took us in his buggy
twelve miles, to the house of Brother Scott ; they were
very glad to see us, and we tarried with them through
the night.
"Oct. 27th, Brother Scott sent his little son John,
who carried us to Belleville, fifteen miles several miles
of the journey in a rain storm, which obliged us to put up
at an inn for the remainder of the day and night. Brother
Brigham was very sick and obliged to go to bed. I sat
up and waited upon him, and spent the evening with the
282 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
landlord and his lady, preaching to them ; they received
our testimony and were very kind to us.
"The next morning we took stage, and started on
our way towards Kirtland. While in Pleasant Garden
we obtained some money, so that with the five dollars
we had left when the brethren left us on the 1 8th it
amounted to $13.50. When we got into the stage we
did not expect to ride many miles. We rode as far as
Indianapolis, paid our passage, and found we had suffi-
cient means to carry us to Richmond, Indiana.
"When we arrived at Richmond we found we had
means to take us to Dayton, to which place we pro-
ceeded and tarried over night, waiting for another line
of stages. We expected to stop here and preach until
we got means to pursue our journey. Brother Brigham
went to his trunk to get money to pay the bill, and found
we had sufficient to pay our passages to Columbus, to
which place we took passage in the stage and tarried
over night. When he paid the bill he found he had
sufficient means to pay our passage to Worcester. We
tarried till the after part of the day and then took pas-
sage to Worcester. When we arrived there, Brother
Brigham went to his trunk again to get money to pay
our bill, and found sufficient to pay our passages to Cleve-
land. When we reached a little town called Strongs-
ville, about twenty miles from Cleveland, towards even-
ing, Brother Brigham had a strong impression to stop
at a tavern when we first came into the town ; but the
stage did not stop there, so we went on. We arrived at
Cleveland about 1 1 o'clock at night, took lodgings, and
remained till next morning.
"Nov. 3rd, being Sunday, in the morning we went
to the Episcopalian church. While returning to the hotel
we met my father-in-law, and learned that Elders Turley,
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 283
Smith and Hedlock had just arrived in Cleveland. Father
Murray was as much astonished to see me alive as
though he had seen one risen from the dead. I don't
think I ever saw a man feel better than he did when I
met him in the street. We walked with him a short dis-
tance, and met the brethren who were in good health,
compared with what they had been, and in fine spirits.
We learned that they stopped at the tavern in Strongs-
ville, where Brother Brigham had such strong impres-
sions to stop the night previous. They had picked up
Elder John Taylor, at Dayton, where he was left at a
tavern very sick with the ague and fever a few days
before, by Father Coltrin, who proceeded to Kirtland.
"Brothers Taylor and Hedlock got into the stage
with us, which left early in the afternoon ; they rode as
far as Willoughby. We proceeded to Kirtland and
arrived the same evening, thus fulfilling the prediction
made on my sick bed.
"Brother Brigham had one York shilling left, and
on looking over our expenses we found we had paid out
over $87.00 out of the $13.50 we had at Pleasant
Garden, which is all the money we had to pay our pas-
sages with. We had traveled over 400 miles by stage,
for which we paid from 8 to 10 cents a mile, and had
eaten three meals a day, for each of which we were
charged fifty cents, also fifty cents for our lodgings.
Brother Brigham often suspected that I put the money
in his trunk, or clothes ; thinking that I had a purse of
money which I had not acquainted him with ; but this
was not so ; the money could only have been put in his
trunk by some heavenly messenger, who thus adminis-
tered to our necessities daily as he knew we needed.
"I made my home at Dean Gould's at the house of
Ira Bond. The family were all very kind to me, and
284 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
made me as comfortable as they could. I remained with
them most of the time I was in Kirtland, two days of
which I was sick with chills and fever.
" There was a division of sentiment among the
brethren in Kirtland, many of whom had lacked the
energy to move to Missouri, while some lacked the
inclination. On Sunday, Elder Taylor preached in the
Temple in the forenoon and I preached in the afternoon.
I compared the people there to a parcel of old earthen
pots that were cracked in burning, for they were mostly
apostates who were living there. Martin Harris, Cyrus
Smalling and others were much offended at what I said,
and asked me whom I referred to in my comparisons.
'No one in particular,' said I, 'but to anyone whom the
coat fits.' John Moreton and others declared I should
never preach in the house again. On the Sunday follow-
ing, Brother Brigham and Brother Taylor were the
speakers.
"While we tarried, a council was held with Brothers
Kellogg, Moreton and others who took the lead in Kirt-
land. We proposed that some of the Elders should
remain there and preach for a few weeks. John Moreton
replied that they had had many talented preachers, and
he considered that men of such ordinary talents as were
on this mission could do no good in Kirtland. He
thought probably Brother John Taylor might do, but he
was not sure."
CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE APOSTLES SAIL FOR ENGLAND GROWTH OF THE BRITISH
MISSION DURING HEBER's ABSENCE LABORS OF ELDERS
WOODRUFF AND TAYLOR FIRST COUNCIL OF THE
TWELVE AMONG THE NATIONS WILLARD RICHARDS
ORDAINED AN APOSTLE.
JOURNEYING eastward, the Apostles arrived in New
York, where they tarried for some time, preaching the
Gospel and adding new members to the Church in that
city. On the iQth of December, 1840, Apostles John
Taylor and Wilford Woodruff, with Elder Theodore
Turley and others, sailed for Liverpool on board the
Oxford. Three months later to a day, Apostles Young
and Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, George A.
Smith and Elder Reuben Hedlock followed in their wake
on board the Patrick Henry.
After a very stormy passage, they reached Liver-
pool on the sixth of April, the anniversary of the organi-
zation of the Church, ten years before. They there
found Elder John Taylor with about thirty Saints who
had just received the Gospel in that place. A day or
two later they went on to Preston by railroad, where
Heber and his companions were warmly welcomed by a
multitude of Saints who had assembled there to meet
them. They arrived in Preston on the anniversary of
Heber's departure in 1838.
It will now be proper to take a brief retrospective
view of the progress of the British Mission during the
two years interim between the departure of Elders Kim-
286 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
ball and Hyde for America, and the return of Heber to
the scene of his former successful labors. The most
important event that had taken place in this interval was
the planting of the Gospel standard in the great manu-
facturing town of Manchester. This opening was made
by Elder William Clayton, in October, 1838. The
branch in that place grew so rapidly as to soon rival
Preston, and in a short time it became the headquarters
of the whole British Mission.
Scotland had also been opened by Elders Mulliner
and Wright, though the work had as yet taken little root
in that land.
In and around Preston and the other towns and vil-
lages opened during the first mission of the Elders to
England, the work had gradually spread under the presi-
dency of Elders Fielding, Richards and Clayton.
During the stormy period which had just spent its
fierceness upon the Saints in America, the Church in
England had not escaped persecution, though, compared
with the sufferings of the former, the trials of the British
Saints were a mere bagatelle. A novel incident con-
nected with the death of one of the Saints the first
death that occurred in the mission is thus related :
"Sister Alice Hodgin died at Preston, September
2nd, 1838, and it was such a wonderful thing for a Lat-
ter-day Saint to die in England that Elder Richards was
arraigned before the Mayor's Court at Preston, October
3rd, charged with 'killing and slaying the said Alice with
a black stick,' etc., but was discharged without being per-
mitted to make his defense, as soon as it was discovered
that the iniquity of his accusers was about to be made
manifest.
The arrival of Apostles Taylor and Woodruff at
Liverpool on the nth of January, 1840, opened the
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 287
second period of the British Mission. They were wel-
comed by Mr. George Cannon, brother-in-law of Elder
Taylor and father of George Q. Cannon, the present
Apostle, then a mere youth, and not yet connected with
the cause in which he was destined to play so important
a part. Sunday they spent in Liverpool, and the next
day proceeded on to Preston.
At a council held at the house of Willard Richards,
after the arrival of these Apostles, it was arranged that
Elders John Taylor and Joseph Fielding should go to
Liverpool, and lift the standard of Mormonism in that
important city ; Hyrum Clark to Manchester, where
Elder Clayton was given charge of Church affairs ; and
Wilford Woodruff and Theodore Turley to the Potteries
in Staffordshire, and to Birmingham if the Spirit so led.
Elder Richards was to have the privilege of "moving
wherever the Spirit directed." The Elders were
instructed to report to their respective presidents.
On the following day, January i8th, after meeting
and blessing each other, the brethren separated and
departed for their various fields of labor.
The marvelous success of Apostle Woodruff in
Staffordshire and Herefordshire, in the latter of which
counties, in a little over one month, he converted several
hundred souls, including upwards of forty preachers of
the United Brethren ; with the important labors of Elder
Taylor in Liverpool and vicinity, and of Elder Turley in
Birmingham, (which town became a Mormon stronghold
second only in importance to London) would fill a vol-
ume in themselves. We can barely glance at such
achievements in following the individual history of Heber
C. Kimball.
Immediately upon the arrival of President Young
and the Apostles who accompanied him, a council of the
288 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
Twelve and a conference of the Saints was called to con-
vene at Preston on the i4th of April.
At this gathering there were present of the Apostles,
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt,
Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and George
A. Smith. Brigham Young was called to the chair, and
was unanimously sustained as the standing President of
the Twelve. Willard Richards was ordained an Apostle
and added to the quorum by unanimous voice, and
according to previous appointment by revelation.
It was moved by Heber C. Kimball and seconded
by Willard Richards that twenty of the Seventies, or
more at the discretion of the President, be sent for to
assist in the work of the ministry.
On the second day of the council Heber C. Kimball
was the presiding Apostle. The various branches of the
Church in England and Scotland were represented, show-
ing an aggregate membership of 1671 souls, including
the Priesthood. The official numbers were as follows :
Elders, 34; Priests, 52; Teachers, 38; Deacons, 8.
Total of Priesthood, 132. President Kimball laid before
the meeting the importance and propriety of ordaining
a Patriarch to give patriarchal blessings to the Saints,
and Bleazard Corbridge was accordingly chosen for that
office.
It was decided that the Saints who wished to emi-
grate should receive recommends from the Church in
Britain to the Church in America, and that no persons
should receive such recommends who had money, unless
they assisted the poor according to the counsel of the
Twelve.
It was further determined that a monthly periodical
be published, to be known as The Latter-day Saints Mil-
lennial Star, with Parley P. Pratt as its editor ; and that
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 289
a committee of three, namely, Brigham Young, Parley
P. Pratt and John Taylor be appointed to make a selec-
tion of hymns for the use of the Saints.
The conference closed on the i6th of April, having
been in session three days.
The time had now come for the Apostles to separ-
ate, to go into different parts of the Lord's vineyard. It
was thought wisdom for Elder Heber C. Kimball to visit
the churches which he had built up while in England on
his former mission ; for Orson Pratt to go north on a
mission to Scotland, John Taylor to continue his labors
in Liverpool, Parley P. Pratt to proceed to Manchester
to begin the publication of the Star, George A. Smith
to go into the Potteries, and Brigham Young and Wil-
lard Richards to accompany Elder Woodruff into his
field of labor. These arrangements were at once carried
out by the brethren, and the work spread on every hand,
with redoubled energy and multiplied success.
I '.i
CHAPTER XL.
HEBER VISITS THE BRANCHES RAISED UP DURING HIS FORMER
MISSION HIS REPORT OF THEIR CONDITION AND STAND-
ING FIRST GENERAL CONFERENCE AT MANCHESTER.
PURSUANT to the appointment of his quorum at the
conference, Heber visited the Saints whom he had
brought into the Church during his former mission.
Elder Willard Richards accompanied him, pending pre-
parations for his mission to Herefordshire.
They first visited the branch in Walkerfold, the home
of the Rev. John Richards, whose daughter Jennetta
Willard had married, in fulfillment of Heber's prediction.
They found Sister Richards in a very low state of health,
but after they had anointed and laid hands upon her,
according to the ordinance of the Church, she immedi-
ately began to amend.
The Reverend Mr. Richards, who was feeling very
sorely the effects of the preaching of Mormonism in his
pastorate, on seeing Elder Kimball in his house, ordered
him to leave. Heber meekly complied, much to the
grief of Sister Richards and her aged mother, who wept
aloud at his departure. The Walkerfold branch, though
small, had suffered more persecution in proportion to its
numbers than any other, but its members, with scarcely
an exception, had remained steadfast in the faith.
Heber's report continues:
''From thence we returned to Preston, where I left
Brother Richards to prepare for his mission to Hereford-
shire, and proceeded from thence to Dauber's Lane and
Eggleston. We found there two branches rejoicing in
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 2QI
the Lord. After a short visit with them, I returned to
Preston ; and after two days I started on a visit to the
north. I went alone, by way of Walkerfold, on my way
to Clithero, where I held meetings on the Sabbath, and
administered the sacrament to nearly two hundred Saints.
It was a time of refreshing to them and to myself, as I
had not seen them for more than two years. It had been
said there, as in other places, that I would never return
to them again ; but they now saw me again, and knew
that myself and many of my fellow laborers had come ;
and that our message and our zeal were the same as
formerly, and therefore I was received with greater joy
than ever. I stayed at Elder T. Smith's, where on Mon-
day I was joined by Elder Fielding from Preston.
" On Wednesday we went to Chatburn and held
meeting in the evening. There was great joy in the
place. The next day we went to Downham and held
meeting that evening and many came to hear. We bore
testimony to the Gospel, and of the work of the Lord in
these last days. The people were very attentive. When
we had closed, a certain man wished to ask a few ques-
tions ; he appeared much agitated ; in fact we were
reminded of the prediction in the Book of Mormon, that
'men would anger and tremble because of the truth.'
He demanded some evidence of the truth of the Gospel,
or message, of which we testified ; but would not tell us
what evidence would satisfy him, so we could only repeat
our testimony to him, and let him go, with no other evi-
dence than what ourselves and tens of thousands of
others had believed and were satisfied with. The Saints
had a time of rejoicing. On Saturday we returned to
Chatburn and held meeting, after which three persons
were baptized and added to the Church. On the Sab-
bath the meeting was held in a large barn, no house
2Q2 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
being sufficiently large to convene the people. There
were many to hear, who were very attentive. We
ordained two Priests. In the evening four others were
baptized. Some who had left the society, wished they
had been faithful, and some of them returned by humble
repentance and being re-baptized. There appears to be
something peculiar in the people of this place ; others
had tried in vain to enlist them into their folds ; but on
hearing the first preaching of the fullness of the Gospel
they were overwhelmed in tears of repentance, and more
than twenty were immediately baptized. It is a small
village, but the number of members soon increased to
about ninety. They have mostly stood fast. We have
never received anything like an insult all the time we
visited the place, and we feel bound to bless them.
"On Monday we returned to Clithero ; after meet-
ing five more were baptized. On Tuesday evening two
were baptized in Waddington. Since then we have heard
that eight more have been baptized, and others ready.
"The next day we started for Ribchester, calling at
Walkerfold on our way, where we found Sister Richards
in good health. We reached Ribchester on Friday, and
held meeting in the evening ; the Saints were comforted.
The next day we returned to Preston. I consider that I
have never seen the Saints in better spirits. They say
it seems like old times ; they can receive their patriarchal
blessings under the hand of Brother Mellin, as he is
ordained to the office of an Evangelist. Some speak in
tongues and prophesy, and others have visions, etc., as
was foretold by the Prophet Joel, concerning the last
days. We can truly say the Lord has begun to restore
all things, as spoken by the prophets.
"After this we went to Longton, and held meeting,
and the next day started for Southport, many of the
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 293
brethren accompanying us as far as the river Astlam.
There was no bridge, and to save us the trouble of going
round, a brother carried us over on his shoulders. We
held one meeting in Southport, and one in Churchtown.
At Southport there was a sister sick and not expected to
live. She was healed by administering the ordinance,
and next day she went with us two miles on foot. We
ordained one Elder and one Teacher, and on our way
back preached to the Saints in Longton, exhorting them
to have their lamps trimmed and burning, ready to go
forth to meet the Bridegroom. We then returned to
Preston. On Saturday we met the officers in council,
and on the Sabbath met with the Church as usual.
"On Monday evening a number of the Saints met
at Brother T. Moon's, in Penwortham, to receive their
patriarchal blessings. We were with them, and gave
them such instruction as was necessary.
" Wednesday, I accompanied Elder Clayton to Man-
chester; found Elders Young, P. P. Pratt and J. Taylor
there; tarried there with them till Saturday the 3Oth,
when Elders Young, Taylor and myself took the train
for Liverpool ; met with the Church there on the Sabbath,
and had a good time, the Saints rejoiced, and others
believed.
"A number of the Saints had taken their passage
for America on board the ship Britannia. We spent
some time with them for several days. June 5th we took
leave of them. They were in good spirits, expecting to
move from the dock at 2 p. m. We blessed them, and
commended them to the Lord. I then took leave of
Elders Young and Taylor, and returned by train to Pres-
ton. I found Brother Fielding and the Saints rejoicing
in the Lord. At this time I can truly say that I never
felt more to rejoice than I have done in my late visits to
294 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
the churches. The Saints, in general, as they have been
baptized into one body, are partakers of one spirit,
whether they be Jew or Gentile, bond or free. I also
take this opportunity to say, that I have lately received
a letter from my wife, giving us good tidings from
America. The work is moving steadily, but not slowly
through that land, bearing on its way through the states
and cities of that vast continent. The Saints are getting
over their pains and sufferings, at least in a great measure,
and are enjoying health. I would say to my brethren in
the ministry that their families are well, and I feel to
congratulate them on the hope and glorious prospect of
one day not far remote when we shall rest from our
labors in the kingdom of God. It is evident our labor is
not in vain in the Lord. In almost every branch I have
visited the numbers are increasing. The stone is actually
growing into a mountain, and we know that it must soon
fill the whole earth. May the Lord hasten the time.
Amen."
Heber rejoined his quorum at Manchester, where a
general conference convened on the sixth of July. The
meetings were held in "Carpenter's Hall," a building
almost as famous in the history of the British Mission as
the celebrated "Cock Pit" in Preston.
The Apostles in the mission were all present except-
ing Orson Pratt, who was in Edinburgh, unable to attend
on account of the great distance, and his arduous labors
in opening the Scottish Mission. Parley P. Pratt was
chosen to preside.
The new hymn-book was introduced and received
the unanimous approbation of the meeting. A number
of brethren were ordained to the ministry and then Presi-
dent Young called upon those officers whose circum-
stances would permit them to devote themselves entirely
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 295
to the work of the ministry, and who would volunteer
to do so, to stand up, when the following names were
taken: B. Young, H. C. Kimball, John Taylor, Wilford
Woodruff, Willard Richards, G. A. Smith, Wm. Clayton,
Reuben Hedlock, H. Clark, Theodore Turley, Joseph
Fielding, Thomas Richardson, Amos Fielding, John
Parkinson, John Wytch, John Needham, H. Royle, John
Blezard, D. Wilding, Charles Price, Joseph Knowles,
William Kay, Samuel Heath, Wm. Parr, R. McBride and
James Morgan.
President Fielding and his counselors were relieved
of the charge of presiding over the mission, and several
Elders were appointed to various fields of labor in Eng-
land, Scotland and Ireland.
President Young gave administrative directions to
the Elders previous to their separation. He then blessed
the congregation and the conference adjourned.
CHAPTER XLI.
FOUNDING THE LONDON CONFERENCE APOSTLES KIMBALL,
WOODRUFF AND SMITH CHOSEN FOR THE WORK SEEK-
ING FOR A MAN WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD THE FIRST
CONVERT THE ELDERS HOLD OPEN-AIR MEETINGS IN
TABERNACLE SQUARE.
THE next notable movement determined on by the
Apostles was the founding of the London Confer-
ence. The men chosen for this work were Heber C.
Kimball, Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith.
Leaving Manchester on the 4th of August, Heber joined
his companions in Herefordshire, whence the three pro-
ceeded on to London, preaching and baptizing by the
way.
They reached their destination about four o'clock in
the afternoon of the i8th, and were kindly received by a
Mrs. Allgood, of No. 19, King Street, Borough, who
gave them needed refreshments and directed them to
lodgings in the neighborhood. Two days later they
reported to the Millennial Star as follows :
"We are well and in good spirits, and are going to
see the people in different parts, and see what we can do
in this small world ; for London looks like a small world.
Give us your prayers and direct your letters as above."
It was well ordered that three such characters as
these, with their indomitable will power and persever-
ance, added to child-like faith and humility, were sent to
break Gospel ground in the British Metropolis. The
task was no easy one. London, with all its churches
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 297
and cathedrals, its high-priced ministers and princely
churchmen, its Bibles, missions, schools, and evan-
gelical agencies of every description, was the devil's
stronghold, nevertheless ; and the prospect might have
dismayed, with its hardships, spirits less valiant, souls
less faithful, than those selected for the ordeal.
For days the Apostles wandered through the streets
of the great city, viewing its wonderful sights, visiting its
places of interest and historic note, and all the while
looking for an opportunity to deliver their message, and
for souls to receive their testimony. Among other places
they went to "Zion's Chapel" and heard the Reverend
Robert Aitken, the same great preacher from whom
Heber, on his former mission, had won so many
disciples in Preston. They were profoundly impressed
with his eloquence and the sublime truths he uttered,
but to them his efforts were those of one who was
''building without the foundation." They had previously
heard an Aitkenite preacher at Union Chapel, Waterloo
Road, and had also called on the Reverend J. E. Smith,
of Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, their object being to find an
opening for their ministry.
Still following very much the example of Heber's
first mission to England, the three Elders next attended
a meeting of the Temperance Society in Temperance
Hall, St. George's Row, near the Elephant Castle.
Here Elder George A. Smith was given the privilege
of making a short speech. It was the first public effort
of a Mormon Elder in London, though it was more in
the nature of a temperance testimony than the introduc-
tion of Mormonism to the metropolis. Subsequently
the brethren addressed another meeting at the same
place on the subject of temperance, and succeeded in
engaging the hall for preaching purposes, though they
298 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
were not permitted to occupy it immediately. They
gave out an appointment to preach the Gospel there on
the 7th of September.
One day, as they were strolling through the streets,
"to see if they could find a man with the Spirit of God,"
Heber accosted an amiable looking stranger and asked
him if he was a preacher. He replied that he was, and
informed the brethren that he had been in America, and
had come to London for the purpose of going to South
Australia ; but had suffered much from sickness in his
family, having just buried one child, while another was
then lying at the point of death.
''Your child shall live," said Heber C. Kimball.
The stranger then gave them some information in
regard to places for preaching, and they parted from
him. On the same day they called at his house ; he was
not at home, but his child was better.
The next day the servants of the Lord went again
over the city. This time they found the object of their
search ; "a man in whom was the Spirit." His name was
Corner. He lived at No. 52 Ironmonger Row, St.
Luke's Parish, near the Church. He and his household
received the testimony of the Elders and opened their
doors for the preaching of the Gospel.
This, however, was not enough ; though the brethren
praised God for this manifestation of His favor. They
longed to reach the ears of the multitude, and declare to
them the message that "burned like fire in their bones."
At the expiration of twelve days, finding no immediate
prospect for an indoor opening of the kind they were in
quest of, they determined to go into the streets and lift
up their voices.
It was Sunday morning, August 3Oth, 1840. Wend-
ing their way through the crowded streets and winding
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 299
thoroughfares, in search of some public place where
they knew the common people were wont to assemble
on the Sabbath, to hear all sorts of harangues from all
sorts of speakers, the three Apostles, after walking three
miles, stopped in Tabernacle Square, "Old Street." A
promiscuous assembly had gathered there men of all
creeds and opinions and an "open-air" meeting was in
progress. It was an Aitkenite preacher who was address-
ing them. Mixing with the multitude, the Elders
listened respectfully to what he was saying, and
gradually edged their way towards the spot where he
was standing.
When the Aitkenite minister had concluded his
discourse a Presbyterian preacher took his place and was
about to begin.
"Sir!" exclaimed a voice in the crowd, addressing
the preacher. All eyes were turned in the direction of
the sound. A man stepped forward. It was Heber C.
Kimball. "Sir," he said, "There is a preacher from
America present, who would like to speak to the assem-
bly when you have got through your service."
The Presbyterian, not to be outdone in courtesy,
and perhaps proud of the honor of introducing an
American preacher to a British public, addressing the
people, said :
" I am informed that there is a minister from Amer-
ica present. I propose that he shall speak first."
The proposition was readily accepted, and the peo-
ple drew near, alive with curiosity ,at the novelty of
hearing a preacher from America.
Apostle George A Smith was the one selected for
the occasion. He mounted the chair resigned by the
Presbyterian, and addressed the audience for about
twenty minutes.
3OO LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
Next came the Presbyterian, and at the close of his
remarks Heber C. Kimball again advanced.
"Will there be any objection to our preaching here
at 3 o'clock" ? he inquired.
"No; not at all," answered the Presbyterian.
"What denomination do you belong to"?
"To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints," Heber replied.
"Oh, I have heard of them," exclaimed the Presby-
terian quickly, his countenance and whole manner chang-
ing. "They are a bad people; they have done much
hurt; they divide churches; we don't want to hear you."
He then mounted the chair again and said to the
people :
"I have just heard that the last man who spoke
belongs to the Latter-day Saints." And then he began
to rail against the Apostles and their faith.
After he had thus vented himself, Elder Kimball
mildly inquired:
"Will you let me step into the chair to give out an
appointment for a 3 o'clock meeting?"
But the minister angrily refused, whereupon Heber
raised his voice and informed the people that some
American preachers would preach there at 3 o'clock.
A vast congregation assembled at the appointed
hour to hear them, the conduct of the Presbyterian and
the excitement of the morning having helped to increase
it materially.
Elder Wilford Woodruff was the first preacher.
After singing and prayer, he read from the first chapter
of Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, the 8th and Qth verses;
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach
any other Gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed.
LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL. 301
"As we said before, so say I now again, if any man
preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have
received, let him be accursed."
A direct thrust at apostate Christendom, with its
multitudinous variety of "other gospels," all differing
from each other and from the great original.
Brother Woodruff did not fail that day to hold them
up a glass wherein they might see the "inmost parts" of
Paul's dread meaning, made applicable in words of tell-
ing force to the Christian denominations of that great city.
Then came Heber C. Kimball with his sledge-ham-
mer blows of testimony, driving home the truth of the
Apostle's words, as with a mallet of mighty power. He
told them of the great apostasy that had taken place
since the days of Paul, and of the restoration of the
Gospel in the latter days, closing with an earnest testi-
mony to the divine mission of Joseph Smith, the great
Prophet whom God had raised up in the land of America.
The people gave good attention and seemed much
interested in what they had heard.
After the meeting Mr. Corner, the person already
noticed, invited the three Apostles home to his house ; so,
withdrawing from the crowd, they went to 52 Iron-
monger Row, St Luke's Parish.
But Heber was not yet satisfied. The inward mon-
itor which he knew never erred told him that his day's
labor was not accomplished. Scarce knowing why,
but surrendering himself to the dictates of the Spirit, he
retraced his steps and wended his way alone back to
Tabernacle Square, leaving Elders Woodruff and Smith
at "Father Corner's," conversing on the things of the
Kingdom.
The crowd had not yet dispersed from the Square,
but stood in groups here and there, discussing eagerly
3O2 LIFE OF HEBER C. KIMBALL.
the events of the day, and the strange things told them by
the American preachers. As Heber approached he was
immediately recognized and, indeed, his was a presence,
once seen, not easily to be forgotten and the surprised
and pleased multitude, thronging round him, besought
him to speak to them again.
He willingly complied and addressed them long and
earnestly. More powerful than ever was his testi-
mony. He was alone, but the Spirit was with him, and
with the Spirit Heber C. Kimball was a host. Breath-
lessly they listened, and at the close several men whom
he had never seen until that afternoon, came forward
and invited him home to their houses.
The ice was broken. His testimony had prevailed.
The good seed sown by the wayside had taken root, as
it were, in the very crevices of the stony pavements of
the world's metropolis.
CHAPTER X
