I would to God that every Bishop and presiding officer would, this day, in this holy Temple, covenant and swear before Him, the Lord our God, that they would turn and serve Him with all their might, mind and strength, and work for the interest of the people as they would for themselves; for my greatest desire is to see Zion established according to the revelations of God--to see her inhabitants industrious and self-sustaining, filled with wisdom and the power of God, that around us may be built a wall of defence, a protection against the mighty powers of Babylon; and while the disobedient of our Father's family are contending, and filling up their cup of iniquity, even to the brim, and thus preparing themselves for the burning, we who are the acknowledged children of the kingdom, being filled with righteousness and knowledge of God, may be like the wise virgins, clothed in our wedding garments, and properly prepared for the coming of our Lord and Savior.--_Journal of Discourses_. CHAPTER L. Elijah Box says his parents embraced the Gospel in England.--Came to Nauvoo.--Elijah born in a turbulent time.--Moves to St. Louis.--To the Bluffs.--To the Valley.--Storm described.--Moves to Brigham City.--Struggle for an education.--How it is obtained.--Called on mission.--A great contrast in Liverpool.--Visits relatives.--In London meets with the Palestine tourists.--How poor Saints manage their Sunday clothing.--An incident.--Closes mission.--In charge of a company of Saints, leaves England.--Reflections.--Reaches home.--Engaged in teaching.--Presides over Improvement Associations.--Counselor to Stake President. My parents embraced the Gospel in England in 1841, emigrated in 1842, and arrived in Nauvoo in the spring of 1843. My father worked upon the Temple almost from first to last, experiencing very hard times in consequence of the scarcity of the necessaries of life. He was also familiar with all those trying scenes that were enacted during the years immediately preceding and following the martyrdom of the Prophet and Patriarch; and that will live forever in the memories of the persecuted Saints. It was during these times that I was born, January 4th, 1844. When the Church left Nauvoo, father moved his family to St. Louis, and from there to Council Bluffs, in 1848. The next four years were occupied in procuring an outfit for "the valley," and in 1852 we emigrated to Salt Lake, where we lived three years. While in Salt Lake, I spent the summer months principally in herding stock upon the mountains. While out upon one of those occasions, the sky became suddenly overcast with heavy clouds, and, almost instantly, hail and rain began to descend in torrents; several herd-boys were drowned--I very narrowly escaped by finding shelter with my sister, living at the mouth of Red Butte.