From Nauvoo to Salt Lake in the Van of the Pioneers

the exiled Saints across the plains, from Nauvoo to their destined homes on the shores of the wonderful salt sea en the Comb of the Continent, it may be well to go back and consider the stirring events, for a short period, previous to the commencement of the exodus, in the early days of 1846, and which led up to this ever memorable journey. Commencing with the fall of the preceding year, Erastus Snow records in his diary the following: Early in the fall of 1845, the spirit of persecution and mob- ocracy began again to rise and spread itself in Hancock and the surrounding counties, and our enemies were determined, at all hazards, to route and drive the Saints from the country; and they were emboldened in their reckless course from the fact that the murderers of the Saints were cleared, and every outrage upon us was either unnoticed by the authorities of the state, or if they did attempt to afford us any protection, they were not sustained by the majority of the people, and their efforts were so puerile and ineffectual, that they only inspired, the mob party (or anti-' 'Mor- mons," as they styled themselves) with fresh courage, and satis- fied them of the willingness of both the people and the rulers to wink at their proceedings. About the first of September, they assembled in large bodies and commenced burning houses, goods, stacks of hay and grain, killing and driving off cattle, and so forth. They continued burn- ing until they had burned out nearly all the branches of the Church in Hancock County, outside of Nauvoo. At first Sheriff Backenstos, who was a friend of law and order, sought to raise a posse, to suppress the rioters, from the inhabit- ants who were styled by the Antis (anti-' 'Mormons") Jack "Mormons," because they sought to maintain neutrality between the parties; but instead of succeeding in this attempt, he was pur- sued by the Antis and compelled to take refuge in Nauvoo, where he summoned the inhabitants as a posse to assist him. Answering immediately to his call, about one hundred and sixty of us, mounted and well-armed, marched forth from place to place until the rioters were entirely routed and put to flight, two or three being killed and others wounded; and the brethren who

FROM NAUVUO To SALT LAKE. 2^5 had been left homeless and almost friendless, and many of them sick, were gathered up and brought 10 Nauvoo. When the inhabitants of the surrounding counties saw that the Saints, under the sheriff, were clearing the country of the rioters, nine of the surrounding counties were assembled by their delegates in convention and pledged the aid of the counties repre- sented, to assist in expelling us from the country, giving us until the following spring to remove voluntarily and avoid the further shedding of blood. The governor also sent General John J. Hard- ing with a company of militia to the seat of war, who, with his suite of officers, instead of restoring the rights of the oppressed, insisted upon our entire removal from the country as the only means of restoring peace. Regarding this as a door which the Lord God had opened before us by which we could mak j a peaceable exit * * it was unanimously resolved in the councils of the Church to adopt the alternative insisted upon by our enemies; and on the 6th of Octo- ber it was presented to the Church, in general conference assem- bled in the first main story of the temple, which building, being inclosed, was prepared with a temporary floor and seats for the occasion, and it was voted unanimously, with acclamation, to remove west of the Rocky mountains. All our influence and means should be devoted to removing this entire people [or all] who should wish to go. From this time, increased exertions were made throughout the Church to finish the temple, that we might enjoy the bene- fits and attend to the ordinances thereof during the coming win- ter. About the first of December, the rooms in the attic story were completed and prepared for the washings and anointings, sealings and endowments, and dedicated unto the Lord for that purpose. On the twelfth of December, myself and wife, Artimesia, received the first ordinance of endowments, and were called to labor and administer in the temple from that time forth; and I departed not from the temple, day or night, but continued in the labors and duties thereof — with the twelve and others selected for this purpose— about six weeks. Mrs. Snow continued in the female department about a month.

January 23, 1846, I received, with Artimesia and Minerva, the sealings and further endowments. The Spirit, power and wisdom of God reigned continually in the temple, and we felt satisfied that during the two months we occupied in the endowment of the Saints, we were amply paid for all our labor in building it. Persecution and individual outrages continued to be practiced upon us. Numerous attempts were made, by hatching up vex- atious suits in the state and United States courts, to arrest and im- prison the Twelve, probably with the intent to murder them, as they had murdered the prophet and patriarch, thinking thereby to break up and scatter the Church; for by this time there began to be a revulsion of feeling, and it was feared and rumored that an attempt would be made to cut off our retreat to an Indian country. It was, therefore, resolved, about the first of February, 1846, that the authorities of the Church, and as many brethren as could be fitted out and spared, should start as soon as possible in the direc- tion of Council Bluffs, via Iowa territory, and through the Pot- tawattamie nation of Indians, and that the balance of the Saints follow in the spring, as fast as they could get ready. Accordingly, the work of the temple — that is, the endow- ments— ceased, and active preparations were made for the move. I was sent to Quincy to make a purchase of goods for the trustees to take with them for the benefit of the company. On my return, being directed by the president to prepare for immediate removal with my family, I effected a sale of as much of my household stuff and personal property as possible, at a great sacrifice, gathered up what teams and provisions I could, and started on the sixteenth of February, leaving my building and real estate to the amount of about two thousand dollars (as did also the most of the rest of the company) at the disposal of Brothers Bobbett, Hey- wood and Fullmer, the new trustees, elected to remain and complete the lower stories of the temple, attend to the sale of property, and wind up the affairs of the Church in Nauvoo; and from the proceeds of such sales, to assist the poor in following us. The place of rendezvous for the company was in the timber on the bottoms of Sugar creek, about eight miles west of the Mis- sissippi river, where they began to assemble and pitch their tents

FROM NAUVOO TO SALT LAKE. 287 about the sixth of February, but the company did not complete their outfit and get ready to start until the first day of March, during most of which time we had quite as severe winter weather as we had experienced during the winter. We had several severe snow storms, and the weather was so cold that the Mississippi, which had been open so that most of the company had ferried it, closed up, so that the last of the teams crossed upon the ice. This was a severe time for the women and children at the outset,and would have staggered the resolution of any other people but the Saints; but theirs was the fixed and immovable trust in the Lord our God, and rejoicing all the day long, even under the most adverse circumstances. When crossing my teams over the river, through the carelessness of the boatman, the wagon con- taining our bedding, clothing, groceries and all our most valuable articles, was capsized into the water, wetting our goods and spoiling much, and well-nigh drowning my eldest child, who was in the wagon at the time; but I made the best I could of the matter, and felt glad it was no worse. (to be continued.) Do The Thing You Know is Right. (For the Improvement Era.) Linger not, my fallen brother, In the dreary vales of sin, Fires within thy bosom smother That the crown of life may win. Fan these fire s with breath of purpoee; Turn thy face toward the light; Try again — the Lord will help you — Do the thing you know is right. 0 my brother, be not weary Of this ceaseless, raging strife, Though the storm-cloud, dark and dreary, Hover o'er thy path of life.