The Latter-Day Prophet: History of Joseph Smith Written for Young PeopleCannon, George Q. (George Quayle)
History
The Latter-Day Prophet: History of Joseph Smith Written for Young People
Cannon, George Q. (George Quayle)
Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844 -- Juvenile literature
Again on the twenty-third of June the Camp moved, now going toward
Liberty, Clay county. Before they reached the town General Atchison,
who, as you know, was employed by the Jackson Saints as lawyer, met
them. He with other leading men came out to urge Joseph not to pass
through Liberty, as they feared trouble. Of course it would have been
silly after this warning to run chances of rousing a mob, so the Camp
turned, passed by Liberty, and pitched their tents that night at the
end of their journey, on Rush creek, among the Saints.
You remember that when Sylvester Smith and others rebelled against the
Prophet, about three weeks before this, Joseph told them the Lord would
scourge the Camp. And now the scourge came in the form of cholera.
Two or three cases had appeared as a kind of warning before the Camp
reached Rush creek and Joseph foretold what would come. He said he was
sorry, but he could not help it.
On the following day, June 24th, the terrible disease broke out in
earnest and continued four days. There were about sixty-eight cases,
and thirteen persons died. Elder John S. Carter tried to rebuke the
disease, but it at once seized him and he died. Joseph laid on hands
and commanded it to depart from one of those afflicted. The disease did
leave but came upon the Prophet. At the same time Hyrum was struck down.
Three times they kneeled and prayed for their lives, and the last time
they made up their minds to keep on until they were healed. While they
were pleading with the Lord, Hyrum saw in vision their mother back in
Kirtland praying for her absent boys. God listened to her prayer and
theirs, and they rose up well and strong again.
The Prophet learned a great lesson at this time. He knew that the Lord
was going to punish the Camp in this way and he should not have tried
to interfere with the Lord's purposes by using his Priesthood to hinder
them.
Among those who died was Algernon Sidney Gilbert, who had charge of
the Lord's store-house. He was an able, useful man, and had shown much
bravery in the Jackson county troubles, but now he brought his own
death upon him. The Prophet called him to go with others to Kirtland
and after receiving his endowments to go on a mission. Brother Gilbert
had suffered much from those outside the Church and was filled with a
wrong spirit toward them. He answered that he would rather die than
preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. God took him at his word, the
cholera came upon him and he died.
These were terrible days. Men who were standing guard about the Camp
fell down at their posts, and groans from those in agony came from all
sides. Many faithful men suffered as well as some who were to blame
for the scourge. But the true and obedient ones who were smitten will
have their reward. The Camp was not united, therefore it was punished.
At last a cure was found for the disease, and that was to put a person
into cold water or pour it over him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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