Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
A meeting of all the seventies in Kirtland was held in the temple,
March 6, 1838, to consider the removal of the Saints to Missouri. The
matter was left in the hands of the presidents and a meeting called
for the 10th instant. At this meeting the presidents reported; they
stated that it was doubtful that the journey could be taken in a
body because of the extreme poverty of the people. The effort of the
high council and high priests to get means and remove the Saints had
failed, and they, the seventies, felt that perhaps it would be better
for the journey to be taken as individuals. However, while they were
in this meeting the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them, and it was
made known that they should journey as a body to Zion, according to
the commandments and revelations, pitching their tents by the way, and
by doing this they should not want for any necessity while on their
travels.
This action having been decided, a constitution for their government
on the journey was drawn up under the supervision of President Hyrum
Smith, and adopted. They were to travel under the direction of the
seven presidents, but organized in companies and divisions, for their
guidance and convenience. On the 6th day of July, 1838, the journey
was commenced. There were in the camp 529 souls, 256 males, and 273
females, consisting of 105 families. A few others joined them on the
way. In this manner one of the most remarkable migrations covering a
distance of approximately nine hundred miles was undertaken by these
afflicted Saints. The Lord blessed them abundantly on their way.
Their provisions, like the widow's meal and cruse of oil, were not
diminished, and they were fed miraculously during their journey. As
might be expected, there were among them some who complained, and
a few were expelled from the camp to travel alone because of the
infraction of the rules; but the great majority traveled in humility
and obedience. A few died, which brought sorrow to the camp; some
obtained employment among the people of the various settlements through
which they passed, and in this way means were obtained to help them on
the way. After enduring various trials and afflictions, incident to
a journey of this proportion, they arrived at their destination, Far
West, October 2, 1838. There they received a joyful salutation from
their brethren. On the 3rd, they continued their march to Ambrosial
Creek and on the 4th near sunset pitched their tents at the public
square of Adam-ondi-Ahman. Thus the Saints from Kirtland and those
scattered abroad began to gather to the settlements in Missouri: but
their peace and happiness were not to remain undisturbed, for the
threatening clouds of mobocracy were already gathering.
Notes
1. For full account of these trials see _Documentary History of the
Church_, vol. 3:16-20.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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