2. During these days of darkness all three of the special witnesses of the Book of Mormon left the Church. So also did three of the eight witnesses, viz. Jacob Whitmer, John Whitmer and Hiram Page. Christian Whitmer died in full fellowship and with a strong conviction of the truth, in Missouri, Nov. 27, 1835, and his brother Peter Whitmer Jr., died September 22, 1836, also firm in the faith and fellowship of the Saints. Later Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris returned to the Church and died in full fellowship, also Luke S. Johnson and many others who became disaffected during these days of tribulation. 3. Doc. and Cov. Sec. 116. Daniel 7th chapter. 4. Doc. and Cov. Sec. 107: 53-55. 5. Doc. and Cov. Sec. 115. 6. See Doc. and Cov. Sec. 119 and 120. Chapter 24 Difficulties in Missouri--Governor Boggs' Order of Extermination 1838 Election Day at Gallatin At the election held at Gallatin, Daviess County, Missouri, August 6, 1838, hostilities between the Missourians and the "Mormons" broke out. This was the kindling of the flame which was to result in the expulsion of the Latter-day Saints from that state. The Saints had been warned two weeks before by Judge Morin, candidate for the state senate, that an attempt would be made to prevent them from voting; however, they paid little attention to the warning, hoping for better things. On that day, as a number of the brethren approached the polls, Col. William P. Peniston, who had led a mob against the Saints in Clay County, mounted a barrel and harangued the crowd, which he had gathered for the purpose, against the "Mormons." He accused their leaders of various vicious crimes and called the members "dupes, and not too good to take a false oath . . . they would steal, and he did not consider property safe where they were; that he opposed their settling in Daviess County, and if they suffered the "Mormons" to vote, the people would soon lose their suffrage." Peniston was a candidate for the legislature, and knowing the brethren would not vote for him, he was determined to prevent them forcibly from casting their ballots. The result was that a premeditated attack was made upon the little band of voters. These "Mormons," about twelve in number, held their ground against a force of over one hundred. Many heads were broken in the conflict. Elder John L. Butler, filled with righteous rage, seized a club and knocked men down right and left. The mobbers disbursed swearing vengeance and threatening to get fire arms and return. The brethren were persuaded by the election officials to depart to save further conflict, since this was a prearranged attack, and their enemies came fully intending to create trouble. The brethren returned to their homes, collected their families and concealed them in the thickets, while they stood guard over their homes during the night. The Prophet's Investigation