The Women of MormondomTullidge, Edward W. (Edward William)
History
The Women of Mormondom
Tullidge, Edward W. (Edward William)
Latter Day Saint churches -- History; Latter Day Saints -- History; Polygamy
Arriving at the Mississippi river, above St. Charles, it was found that
the ice was running so fiercely that it was well-nigh impossible to
cross, but the mobbers insisted that they should cross at once.
The crossing was made on a scow ferry-boat, common in those times; and
as the boat was near being swamped in the current, to add to the horror
of the incident, it was seriously proposed by the boatmen to throw some
of the "d--d Mormons overboard," to lighten the load! The proposition,
however, was abandoned, and the party landed safely on the opposite
shore.
Having escaped all the perils of that flight from Missouri, Father
Free and his family made their home in the more hospitable State of
Illinois, where the Mormons for a season found their "second Zion."
Here we leave "Sister Louisa" for awhile, to meet her again in the
grand exodus of her people from "civilization."
--
The following experience of Abigail Leonard, a venerable and respected
lady, now in her eighty-second year of life, will also be of interest
in this connection. She says:
"In 1829 Eleazer Miller came to my house, for the purpose of holding
up to us the light of the gospel, and to teach us the necessity of a
change of heart. He did not teach creedism, for he did not believe
therein. That night was a sleepless one to me, for all night long I
saw before me our Saviour nailed to the cross. I had not yet received
remission of my sins, and, in consequence thereof, was much distressed.
These feelings continued for several days, till one day, while walking
alone in the street, I received the light of the spirit.
"Not long after this, several associated Methodists stopped at our
house, and in the morning, while I was preparing breakfast, they were
conversing upon the subject of church matters, and the best places for
church organization. From the jottings of their conversation, which I
caught from time to time, I saw that they cared more for the fleece
than the flock. The Bible lay on the table near by, and as I passed I
occasionally read a few words until I was impressed with the question:
'What is it that separates two Christians?'
"For two or three weeks this question was constantly on my mind, and I
read the Bible and prayed that this question might be answered to me.
"One morning I took my Bible and went to the woods, when I fell upon
my knees, and exclaimed: 'Now, Lord, I pray for the answer of this
question, and I shall _never_ rise till you reveal to me what it is
that separates two Christians.' Immediately a vision passed before
my eyes, and the different sects passed one after another by me, and
a voice called to me, saying: 'These are built up for gain.' Then,
beyond, I could see a great light, and a voice from above called out:
'I shall raise up a people, whom I shall delight to own and bless.' I
was then fully satisfied, and returned to the house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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