autobiography of luman andros shurtliff

8/3/2019 Autobiography of Luman Andros Shurtliff

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Luman Shurtliff, 1807-1884

Autobiography (1807-1847)"Biographical Sketch of the Life of Luma A!ro Shurtliff#" typecript# $BLL

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% 3a bor o the 1th of arch# 1807# i otgomery# $amp!e *outy# aachuett5 y father6ame 3a oah Shurtliff a! my mother6 ame 3a Ly!ia Bro35 y paret 3ere bor i*oecticut5

y gra!father# oatha Shurtliff# hare! largely i the eolutioary 9ar# alo my father# oahShurtliff5 $e ere! oe !raft for hi father a! the ere! aother for himelf5 he !ay he 3a i:teehe 3a a guar! at *roto .ort 3here the America army 3a the tatioe!5

y father 3a bor Augut 1# 17;uite healthy# a! lie!ery agreeably 3ith father5

% 3a the fifth a! lat chil! of my paret5 he family coite! of four boy a! oe girl5 heir ame3ere Selah# uel# ,li@abeth# imothy# 9ale a! myelf# Luma A!ro5

rior to my birth# my father ha! obtaie! ufficiet la! to make a mall farm# put out a orchar! a!

built a !3ellig ufficiet for hi family# raiig hi proiio a! mot of their clothig# their 3at atthat time beig mall5 hrough much har! labor a! toil# he a!!e! to hi farm util he ha! a muchla! a he a! the boy coul! take care of a! farm# alo a much tock a 3a beeficial a!profitable5 $e the ture! hi attetio to rea!ig a! that motly to me!ical 3ork a! to practicigme!icie i hi o3 family a! ome amog hi frie!5

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By thi time my father ha! a e:teie tra!e a a phyicia a! urgeo# a! 3a a3ay from home agoo! !eal of the time5 y brother uel a! my brother 9ale carrie! o the farm 3ork5

% 3a put to chool ery youg5 Beig a tea!y tur of mi!# % progree! fater tha my chool mate#3hich ecourage! my paret a! they pare! o pai i giig me uch itructio a they thought3oul! be for my goo!5 hey taught me ot to teal# cheat# lie or !eceie a! to chooe thoe playmate3ho 3ere hoorable5 % trie! to obere thi yet ome of my chool mate !i! cure a! 3ear5 9he

about ie or te year ol!# 3hile i compay 3ith eeral of my mate 3ho 3ere Coial a! pokeome big 3or!# % got a little e:cite! a! i tryig to keep up 3ith them# % trie! to 3ear a they !i!=a! 3hether % got it off o a3k3ar! or o 3icke! % eer ke3# for my compaio appeare! urprie!#a! % 3a care!# a! 3ith the reproof they gae me# % reole! eer to 3ear agai 3hich reolutio %hae faithfully kept5

y mother taught me to pray 3he ery youg# 3hich thig % hae al3ay atte!e! to5 %t ha bee likea achor to my 3a!erig oul5 hi alo ha! a te!ecy to keep me tea!y a! religiouly iclie!5

9he % 3a about ee year ol!# my brother uel marrie! ito a rebyteria family5 % 1817 he a!hi 3ife6 people ol! their property a! moe! ito .rakli# ortage *outy# &hio# a !itace of i:hu!re! mile5 %t 3a a Courey 3hich i that !ay 3a coi!ere! almot itolerable# a! but fe3 ha!

the courage to u!ertake it5hi left my brother 9ale a! myelf to take care of the farm a! tock# 3hich 3a >uite au!ertakig for t3o boy o youg5 % 3a te a! 9ale 3a eetee5 9ale choe to be a farmer a!% coul! get the co3 a! !rie the o:e# ri!e the hore a! !o may thig5 $e thought he coul!maage the affair of hirig ome help i hayig a! haretig5 9e !i! o a! labore! e:ceiely fort3o ummer5

% .ebruary# 181;# my iter# ,li@abeth# marrie! $orace $atch# 3ho 3a a blackmith5 9hile 3orkigat hi tra!e he met 3ith a acci!et 3hich caue! him bli!e5 $e after3ar! opee! up a taer a!3orke! may year at hi tra!e# i 3hich buie he ac>uire! property5

$e hear! may faorable report from our brother i &hio 3hich caue! ome e:citemet i our mi!

a! epecially i father65 $e felt a:iou to ee that coutry= it 3a the calle! "he .ar 9et5"

% auary# 181D# father 3et to &hio= he 3a 3ell pleae! 3ith the coutry# a! reture! i ay5 Soohe tra!e! part of hi la! a! property 3ith t3o me 3ho o3e! la! a!Coiig my brother6 i &hio5y father thought thee me 3ere hoet5 hey !ee!e! ?


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9he 3e came to Buffalo# our team 3a 3or !o3 o much# father thought it bet to e! part of ourloa!ig acro by boat to *leela!# &hio5 %t 3a raiig# the roa! 3ere mu!!y# a! gettig 3oreeery !ay# a! 3e ha! t3o hu!re! mile yet to trael5 A 3e !roe !o3 the la!ig# 3e met a macarryig a umbrella5 .ather i>uire! if he ke3 of ay eel that 3oul! ail oo for *leela!5 $eai! hi eel 3oul! ail i the morig for that port5 .ather took a large bo: of me!icie# a! aothercotaiig our mot aluable goo!5 hi ma took thee bo:e ito hi poeio# a! receipte! them#

a! 3e 3et o our 3ay a bet 3e coul!5he lat t3o hu!re! mile of our Courey lay through a e3 coutry# a! much of the 3ay through aforet# a! the roa!# 3here there 3ere ay# 3ere ery ba!5 ai a! o3 3ere our cotatcompaio5 he hill 3ere lippery# a! 3e ma!e lo3 progre 3hile traelig oer pole bri!ge a!mu!5 % hear! father ay it 3a the "cue!et" roa! he ha! eer traele!5 hi 3a the firt a! olyprofae 3or! % eer hear! him peak5 &e of our hore !ie! o the 3ay5

9e arrie! i .rakli# ortage *outy# &hio# the firt of &ctober E181DF5

.ather eer hear! of the ma or goo! after 3e left Buffalo# a! 3e coclu!e! he 3a oe of thoela! hark 3ho throg citie# a! get their liig by !eceiig the hoet5 hi 3a a heay lo to u59e coul! ot fi! ay pero 3ho ke3 either the ma or the eel# a! o 3ritig back to Buffalo# it

3a the ame there5o3 a father6 mot aluable me!icie a! itrumet a! our mot aluable clothig 3ere goe# a!3e i a 3il!ere# thig looke! gloomy5 *lothig 3a !ear a! ha! to be fou!# but thi 3a apleaat a! fruitful couty5 % the foret 3e fou! plum# grape# crab-apple# a mall gree apple#ery har! a! our# 3hich ma!e a e:cellet preere5 here 3ere tra3berrie# craberrie a! briarberrie i abu!ace5 % the foret 3ere a great ariety of ut uch a beechut# chetut a!3alut5 he tream# po!# a! lake abou!e! 3ith a great ariety of fih5 % the foret 3ere bear#beaer# otter# mukrat# a! mik 3ere pletiful i the tream5 % the prig the foret reou!e! 3iththe gobble of the turkey# the !rum of the partri!ge# >uackig of the !uck# >uallig of the geee# theigig of the >uail a! other bir!5 hi ha! a te!ecy to make a e3 coutry pleaat a! !elightful#epecially to a pero 3ho ha! ay icliatio for hutig5

.arm 3ere cattere! here a! there through the foret5 y father hire! a ma to 3ork 3ith uel partof the time# 3hich etitle! u to a part of the crop raie! o the place5 hey ha! o3e! oe acre ofturip from 3hich 3e gathere! oer three hu!re! buhel of goo! turip5 hoe 3e ue! i place ofapple to pa the log loeome eeig through the 3iter a! to treat our eighbor 3ith 3he theycalle! i to ee u5

he firt 3iter 3e lie! i the ame houe 3ith uel6 family5 Selah6 la! lay oe mile a! a halfouth of uel6 farm# i the mi!t of the foret5

hi 3iter % 3et three mile to chool at rie ill 3here there 3ere oly fie or i: houe5 yroa! 3a through the 3il!ere a! but t3o houe to pa5 % ofte a3 !eer croig the roa! beforeme a % 3et to or from chool5 But the 3iter pae! off ery agreeable to me5

hi 3iter 9ale cleare! a piece of grou! for a orchar! 3hich 3e et out i the prig5 9e ha! to gooe !ay6 trael to get the tree5

% .ebruary 3e rolle! up a log houe# a! the lat of the moth 3e moe! ito it5 9e chike! a!fiihe! it ight by firelight5 9e 3ere the about oe mile outh of uel6 place# a! oe half mileorth of Selah65 hey 3ere our earet eighbor5

he lat of .ebruary 3e opee! our ugar camp# a! thi prig ma!e t3o or three hu!re! pou! ofmaple ugar5 .ather !ii!e! the la! that ha! maple tree gro3ig o it o all the boy coul! make their


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o3 ugar5

Although my paret 3ere etho!it# they !i! ot uite 3ith the etho!it i &hio# yet fatherpraye! i hi family occaioally# commoly o Su!ay morig5 Selah 3a a Baptit# uel ma!e oprofeio# yet 3a a moral ma5 9ale 3a ery profae# 3hich griee! me much5 Secretly % 3a a*hritia a far a % ke3# but kept it etirely to myelf# yet 3et by myelf a! praye! cotiually#hopig the time 3oul! come oo 3he % coul! Coi ome church a! hae youg people for my

brother a! iter5

% 3a o @ealou that % 3oul! 3alk i Selah6 track i preferece to other# 3he % 3a 3alkig to a!from our ugar camp i o3# becaue he 3a a *hritia5

% goig to our camp 3e ha! to cro a rier# a! ometime 3he the 3ater 3a high# 3e ha! to go 80or 100 ro! i a caoe# a! that amog the bruh# u!er a! oer falle tree5 % place the 3ater 3a!eep a! % thought there 3a !ager# a! epecially if Selah 3a ot 3ith u5 %f he 3a 3ith u# % felt athough he coul! ae u5 9he 3e 3ere i thee ba! place# % ue! to pray earetly to the Lor! to aeu from !ro3ig5 hu 3a my faith a! feelig 3he thirtee year ol!5

he ummer follo3ig % 3orke! 3ith 9ale# clearig la!# plo3ig# hoeig# a! fecig la!5 % the3iter % 3alke! t3o a! a half mile to chool# a! % eCoye! myelf 3ell5

.ather ha! a e:teie practice a! 3a from home mot of the time5

9ale a! % labore! har! buil!ig log buil!ig a! improig our farm a! makig thigcomfortable about u5 9hat father eare! 3a at our !ipoal# a! a a family 3e ha! but oe thig tomar or !etroy our happie a! peace5 hat 3a that my !ear mother ha! left her oly !aughter i afar-off la!# a! 3a the mot homeick pero % eer a35 %t 3a heart-re!ig to hear our ol! mother3eep a! lamet for her !ear girl# foreer eparate! from her5 hi 3a a grief to our family5

hi coutry ettle! fat# a! mot of the ihabitat 3ere from the e3 ,gla! tate# a! oo builtchoolhoue a! etablihe! chool5 &e choolhoue 3a built o our farm a! 9ale 3a hire! toteach the chool5 3o 3iter % ha! the priilege of chool ear home5

About thi time father a!ie! me to go to college a! obtai a goo! e!ucatio a! go ito practice3ith him5 $aig ee the har!hip of a phyicia a! urgeo of e:teie practice# % refue!#thikig if % 3et to college a! got my e!ucatio# father 3oul! feel that % 3a bou! to be a !octor# to3hich % coul! ot coet5 But oh ho3 ofte % hae regrette! thi= if % ha! oly a e!ucatio# it 3oul!hae bee of great importace to me5 o occupatio uite! my mi! a !i! farmig o % reole! to bea farmer5 *oe>uetly# my calculatio a! aticipatio 3ere i that chael5 .ather ha! !ii!e! hila!# o 3e ha! la! to make each a goo! a farm a ay i that coutry5 All 3e !i! 3a for ourele#o 3e felt ambitiou a! pare! o pai i makig farm a goo! a ay other ma65

9he % 3a fiftee year ol!# 3hile returig from hutig >uirrel# a pleaat eatio came oerme a! a ere of a hym came to my mi!

%6ll praie my maker 3hile % breathe#A! 3he my oice i lot i !eath#

raie hall employ my obler po3er5

y !ay of praie hall e6er be pat#

9hile life or thought or beig lat

&r immortality e!ure5

hi 3a o impree! upo my mi! that % hae eer forgotte it5 At that time % !i! ot ko3 that


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uch a ere e:ite! ay3here5

% 3et to the houe 3ith a light a! cheerful heart5 Sometime i the !ay 3e hear! that a ma 3ho calle!a eco! 2o3 3a to preach at the illage three mile from father65 At four o6clock that !ay % tarte!for the meetig at the time appoite!5 u!ge my urprie 3he % teppe! ito the !oor of the houe# themiiter aroe# rea! a! ag the ame ere a 3a ma!e ko3 to me eeral hour before# threemile from here5 hi appeare! igular to me# but ha al3ay bee a comfort to me5

hree year ha! o3 pae! a3ay ice 3e came to thi coutry5 9e receie! a letter from my iter iaachuett# tatig the me (.arum a! 2ougla) 3ith 3hom father tra!e! hi property there# ha!attache! a mall farm 3hich father !i! ot tra!e to them# but ite!e! to ell for moey to buil! 3ith3he he 3a prepare! for it i &hio5 y iter tate! i her letter that 2ougla ai! that father o3e!them eeral hu!re! !ollar# 3hich thig 3a urpriig to u5 $o3eer# father ake! 9ale to go a!!efe! hi cae i aachuett5 Accor!igly# 9ale tarte! o the uaitace 3ith a youg la!y of ,glih !ecet# about fourtee year ofage5 $er father6 ame 3a oh ,ell a! her ame 3a Ae ,ell5 She 3a 3ell built# light ki#blue eye# curly bro3 hair that hug i riglet to her houl!er5 o each other 3e became muchattache!5 o compay 3a a agreeable to u a each other# coe>uetly 3e pet much of our paretime together for t3o or three year# or more5

At thi time our paret a! frie! bega to peak of our marriage# a! occaioally a Coke 3a pae!at our e:pee 3hich brought me to reflectio5 Ae 3a ha!ome# at leat % thought o# a! raie! ala!y--3hich 3a the caue of our eparatio5

A before tate!# % ha! !eige! to pe! my life a farmer5 So % ee!e! a 3ife 3ho coul! pi# 3eae#kit# milk co3# fee! cale a! pig# make butter a! cheee# cook a! 3ah a! iro5 Ae coul! !ooe of thee thig5 She 3a raie! to ig# play# kit e!gig# !re a! behae geteel# a! mayother thig calculate! to attract attetio a! appear 3ell i ociety5 A! 3hat coul! % !o 3ith her ithe kitche or 3ith a familyG Although he 3a youg# mart# a! actie# % !i! ot reali@e that he coul!lear to cook# keep houe a! 3oul! be a goo! 3ife for a farmer5

ot3ithta!ig my feelig a! loe# % 3a !etermie! to 3ith!ra3 my affectio from her that %might place them o aother 3he a uitable opportuity houl! offer# 3ho 3oul! make a 3ife more


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uitable to my circumtace5 9e a3 each other le fre>uetly through the ummer5 % the fall# Ae6father prepare! to moe hi family to eylaia5 % the 3iter of 18?8# Ae a! her father came tothe meetig 3here % 3a atte!ig5 At the cloe of the meetig# they ma!e their ite!e! !epartureko35 %t 3a cuttig to my feelig# but beig firm i my purpoe# % 3a immoable to actio but oti feelig5 Ae a! % ha! a fe3 3or!# a! at our partig 3e kie! each other for the lat time (afoolih moe o my part) a! thi partig ha ice caue! me much orro3 a! ee o3 3hile %

3rite# it i har! for me to refrai from actig the part of a chil! a! giig et to my feelig# but it ipae!5

.orty-four year hae pae! ice that partig cee5 he lat % hear! of her# he 3a marrie! a! 3aliig ear Bethay# Brook *outy# Hirgiia5 % hope my o 3ill lear a leo by my folly a! ottur a3ay a loely# irtuou a! affectioate girl they loe# becaue he i ot perfect or caot !oaythig they thik they 3ill 3ih her to !o# a! that before he lear ho35

9he % 3a about eetee year of age# my brother 9ale 3a electe! eig a! % thir! ergeat ithe militia compay orgai@e! i .rakli5 hi ipire! me 3ith a military pirit a! mot of my time3a pet for a 3hile i tu!yig military !iciplie a! tactic# that % might be able to fill my office3ith hoor to 3hich % might be electe!5 he e:t year % 3a raie! to eco! ergeat5 he e:t year aa compay 3e agree! to elit a! become a light ifatry compay5 % thi moe# 9ale 3a electe!captai a! % firt ergeat5 he officer a! ome of the ol!ier et to e3 ork a! bought oure>uipmet a! uiform# a! the e:t prig 3e came out i full uiform# arme! a! e>uippe! a thela3 re>uire!5 o time or moey 3a pare! to make thi the bet compay i the coutry5 A militarylife 3a my Coy a! pri!e5 hu % cotiue! i my glory util % comma!e! the bet compay i thecircle of my ac>uaitace5

% ha! the offer of a maCor6 commiio# but refue!# haig goe a far i military affair a % 3ihe!5At ?< year of age# % ha! hel! a commiio# fie year uiforme! a! e>uippe!# alo ee year ilight troop# uiforme!# arme! a! e>uippe!# each of 3hich etitle! me to a certificate 3hich clearoe from military !uty i time of peace through life5 % ol! my uiform a! e>uipmet a! eere:pecte! to muter aother !ay i my life5

% the prig of 18?4# my brother-i-la3 rete! hi taer i aachuett# a! 3ith my iter came to&hio to make u a iit a! tay 3ith u a year5 Although he i bli! he i mart a! actie# opee!-hearte! a! ki! a! helpe! u hoe# mo3# reap# a! haul hay a! grai5

% oember there 3a a >uiltig i the eighborhoo! to 3hich the la!ie 3ere iite! to >uilt i theafteroo a! the me to chop 3oo!5 At eeig 3e ha! a goo! upper a! the a !ace5 % 3a oe ofthe guet5 here 3ere more la!ie tha get a! % !ace! mot of the ight# took a ba! col! 3hichettle! i both akle# a! % 3a uable to !o a !ay6 3ork util e:t April5

% took the chool to teach i my !itrict for three moth a! it 3a 3ith !ifficulty % coul! 3alk to thechoolhoue a! back5 hi 3iter a coui of mie# about 0 year ol!# 3a teachig chool i aa!Coiig to35 $e felt mart a! occaioally iite! our eighborhoo!5 &e eeig % hobble! out to

a eighbor6 3here a umber of youg people 3ere gathere! for a eeig chat5 hi coui 3a therea! 3a ome3hat ru!e i hi maer# aturally# a! epecially 3ith the girl# a thig % !epie!5Although % 3a e:tremely fo! of their compay# % coul! ot bear to ee aythig uirtuou or!irepectful carrie! o i their preece5 othig 3oul! raie my i!igatio higher or >uicker5 9hile3e 3ere eCoyig our eeig6 iit# % !icoere! ome thig a! hear! ome coeratio from thicoui# cotrary to my raiig a!# a % thought# ubecomig i uch ociety5 y ire 3a ki!le! a! alame a % 3a % ei@e! him by the collar a! ma!e him agree to behae himelf the ret of the eeig#3hich he !i!# at leat i my preece5 School teachig proe! to be a buie % like! 3ell a! % ma!eup my mi! to follo3 it 3iter# for the preet5


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he e:t fall % 3a egage! to teach a 3iter chool at the ceter of a a!Coiig to3 3here there3ere eeral cholar ol!er tha myelf that e:pecte! to atte! chool# a! let % houl! be icompetetto teach thee large cholar# % thought bet to go to chool at the illage of .rakli a fe3 3eek before% bega my chool5 % !i! o a! tu!ie! grammar !ay a! arithmetic ight a! 3et through myarithmetic i t3o 3eek5 hi a! my other tu!ie ma!e me ick a! brought o a erou complait3hich follo3e! me for eeral year5

% the fall of 18?; after moth of court procee!ig cocerig our la!# the !eciio 3a ma!eagait u= thi 3a urpriig to may yet it 3a o a! all the la! !ee!e! to father i 1817 3aattache! by oh +ig# heriff# a! appraie! by 9illiam +ig# hi brother# ery lo3# a! bi! off at aleby 9illiam +ig5

hu# they got the property i aachuett 3orth# 3he father tra!e!# ?#100 !ollar# a! the farm i&hio 3hich at the time they commece! uit 3ere 3orth ?#000 !ollar5 hu they got all the la! fatherha! i aachuett a! all the la! they ol! him i &hio 3ith all the improemet 3e all ma!e iee year of har! labor# a! thi har!ly atifie! their !ema!5

9ale 3a o3 ?7 year ol! a! all he ae! out of hi har! labor 3a 1?0 !ollar i property5 % 3a ?0a! 3orth 40 !ollar5 y t3o ol!et brother 3ere me of property a! my ol! father a! mother o3

ha! to !epe! o them motly for a home5 .ather 3a ;? year ol!# trippe! of all# ot ee a hore tori!e5 $e 3a broke a! !icourage!# hi eergy a! ambitio eeme! to ceae5 hu 3ith all our har!labor for year# 3e 3ere force! to begi ae35

% the ummer of 18?7# a reial of religio took place i the illage5 % the fall# meetig 3ere hel! i!ifferet eighborhoo!5 9ith thi % 3a pleae! a % 3a i hope that ome of the youg people3oul! uite 3ith ome church that % coul! hae goo! compay# for % ite!e! to Coi ome church aoo a % coul! get a e:cue a! hae compay5

% the forepart of September E18?7F the people bega to hol! eeig meetig i !ifferet part of theto35 % iite! Selah6 t3o !aughter# Ly!ia a! 2eire# to go to church 3ith me 3hich they !i!5Seeral youg pero ha! come out a! ma!e public profeio of religio# a! 3he % hear! them

tellig 3hat Coy they ha!# it reCoie! my heart# for % 3ate! to tep for3ar! i religiou matter5 9e3ere all tirre! up i thi reformatio a! all got religio5

& the ?0th of &ctober# 18?7# Ly!ia a! % 3alke! arm i arm to the rier# 3et !o3 ito the rier a!3ere bapti@e! by a Baptit miiter5 A hort time after# % ha! the priilege of eeig my iece# 2eire#bapti@e! alo5

uel a! hi 3ife Coie! the rebyteria5 Some Coie! oe church a! ome aother5 Selah hute! upthe Baptit that 3ere cattere! about# a! Si!ey ig!o came a! orgai@e! u# a! ,l!er Stur!eat3a et apart to preach a! take care of u5

% ma!e up my mi! to peak eery opportuity# but % uffere! for % coul!6t thik 3hat to ay# but %cotiue! to peak i mot of the meetig# a! 3e eCoye! ourele 3ell through the 3iter5 Seeral

e3 coert met 3ith u a! i prayig# peakig a! igig 3e became much attache! to oeaother5

% aother eighborhoo! there 3a a family by the ame of Burt5 he father# arti Burt# a! themother 3ere rebyteria a! ery et i the religio5 % ha! my eye o the ol!et !aughter# 2orea#3hom % ite!e! to make my 3ife5 % bega to pay my attetio to her5 he o# 9arre# pai! hiattetio to my iece Ly!ia# a! o atte!ig our meetig# ma!e up hi mi! to Coi the church5

9he the e3 that 9arre ite!e! to Coi the Baptit came to the ear of the piou ol! !eaco#ufortuately for me# by appoitmet# % 3a there5 % 3aite! upo 2oreu home after meetig a! calle!


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i to pe! a fe3 hour 3ith her5 % oo !icoere! that the ol! ma6 oul 3a e:e!5 9hile 3e atcoerig merrily# % !icoere! i!igatio gatherig o the ol! getlema6 reeret bro35 At legthhe ai!# "Let u hae prayer5" 9e all kelt !o3 a! he praye! about oe hour# but ot eryiteretigly to me for % !rea!e! the torm % a3 approachig5

At the cloe of the prayer# he ture! to 9arre a! ai!# "%t i time to go to be!5" 9arre 3a of agea! !i! ot obey5 $e the ture! to 2oreu a! comma!e! her to go to be!5 A he 3et out of the

room# a! if % u!ertoo! her right# he ai!# "%f % caot hae him# % 3ill hae o other ma a! youhall upport me5" $er co!uct ho3e! % 3a ot mitake for he lie! at home util her father !ie!#a! 3he he 3a 41 year ol!# marrie! Selah# my ol!et brother# ;7 year ol!5

9he 2oreu 3a out of the room# % roe a! 3alke! to3ar! the !oor# 9arre follo3ig me5 A %opee! the !oor# r5 Burt ai!# "ou hae ruie! oe of my chil!re a! hall ot rui aother#"meaig % ha! le! 9arre atray a! caue! him to Coi the Baptit5 % thi thig % 3a too tubbor#for 3hich % am orry5 % eer a3 2oreu agai5

o3 i the fall of 18?7# a 3e ha! lot our la! a! early all our property# it 3a eceary for u tolook up aother place to make a begiig5 9ale bought 40 acre back of the ol! farm a! % took oera farm of my brother-i-la365 hi 3a 3ampy a! the rier ra through it5 % !i! ot like it but it 3a

the bet % coul! !o at that time5hat 3iter % cleare! oe a! a half acre a! i the prig % bure! the log a! bruh# !re3 ome ofthe log# plit the rail# fece! it i a! et out 100 apple tree# pear tree# a! peach tree5 % put up a logbar 8 by ?< feet a! coere! it 3ith higle 3hich % plit off a log5

hi ummer % fece! i about te acre of la!# o3e! ome gra ee! for mea!o3# o3e! ometurip# plate! potatoe a! little cor5 % ha! o team or ay 3ay to hire oe# oly 3ith my labor5

% ha! me!e! my folk6 hoe for eeral year# a! ha! ma!e more or le for oe or t3o year pat5 %o3 fou! thi buie 3a a a!atage to me# for % coul! me! or make hoe 3he % coul! ot3ork out!oor# a! i oe eeig# pay for a team for oe !ay5 After a year or t3o# % 3orke! athoemakig fall a! 3iter# ight a! !ay a! ma!e it profitable5

% 3a poor a! ha! othig to begi 3ith5 % felt that % ha! a har!# har! ro3 to hoe a! ha! begu to hoeit5 % 3oul! hoe it a har! a other 3ho ha! omethig to begi 3ith5 % ha! a co3 a! a calf that 3ere3orth 1? !ollar5 % o3e! a goo! 3atch 3orth 1< !ollar# a rifle 3orth te !ollar# a! a mall ureryof apple a! pear tree a! a fe3 !ollar i moey5

% tra!e! my 3atch for a yoke of yearlig teer5 % ol! !eerki eough 3ith three !ollar e:tra to getme a goo! coat5 % 3a the 3ell clothe!5 % o3 ha! four hea! of tock a! ha! but hay eough ohare# a! 3ith the turip % raie! o my la!# ha! fee! eough to 3iter my tock5

he eco! 3iter % cut timber i the upla!= % cut them ito a3 log a! i the prig 3he the 3ater3a high# % !re3 thoe log# rolle! them ito the rier# got ito my caoe a! follo3e! them !o3 therier# gettig them looe 3he they 3ere fat# thu follo3ig them to the a3mill3here % ha! them

a3e! a! the lumber put i pile# for oe half the lumber5 % bought a poor# habby-lookig mare coltalue! at 1< !ollar for ?#uire ito her circumtace a! character# a! if he 3a igle a! repectable# % 3oul!make her a iit5 & i>uirig# % fou! he 3a a farmer6 !aughter# igle a! repectable5 % ma!e herac>uaitace a! reole! to make her a iit5 %f he uite! me# 3hich % thought he urely 3oul!# %


9/58

3oul! make her my 3ife5

9he % iite! my ite!e!# o pai 3ere pare! to make my iit agreeable a! more fully attract myattetio# but it ha! a cotrary effect5 % reture! thikig le of her tha before a! coclu!e! he3oul! ot be a agreeable compaio for me5 % iite! her the eco! time a! 3he % 3a about toleae# he ery politely ake! me 3he he coul! e:pect aother iit5 % replie!# a the roa! 3eregettig mu!!y a! the !itace coi!erable# te mile# % thought % 3oul! ot call agai at the preet5

She ma!e o reply5 % thought % a3 her eye fill 3ith tear# but % coul! ot loe her5

y iece 2eire 3a my cotat compaio a! 3e took much pleaure i each other6 compay5 %f3e ha! a erra! to the eighbor6# it 3a put off util eeig a! 3e both 3et together5

About thi time Ale:a!er *ampbell# hilip Scot# a! Si!ey ig!o commece! preachig baptimfor the remiio of i5 % the became a belieer a! a a!ocate of that !octrie calle! *ampbellim59e preache! faith i the Lor! eu *hrit# repetace of i# a! baptim for the remiio of i5

About the mi!!le of &ctober# 18?8# a ma a! hi family# oh 'aylor! by ame a! hi 3ife# oaeBagg 'aylor!# moe! ito our eighborhoo!5 hey ha! a large family of chil!re# amog them fouryoug pero# t3o youg me a! t3o youg 3ome5

&e Sabbath eeig a % 3a returig from a etho!it meetig# 3hile paig the rebyteriameetighoue# the meetig !imie! a! three youg la!ie came out# follo3e! by t3o youg me5 A% 3a goig the ame roa!# % oo fell i compay 3ith the youg me a! fou! them to be the r5*lapp# a! oe of the youg la!ie# i *lapp5 9ho the other la!ie 3ere# % !i! ot ko3 a they3ere trager5 % ake! r5 *lapp 3ho the youg la!ie 3ere a! he ai! they 3ere r5 'aylor!6 girl3ho ha! lately come i from the eat a! 3ith 3hom he ha! ome ac>uaitace5

hi eeme! ome3hat oel to me# a he 3a ac>uaite! a! let the la!ie 3alk aloe a! he follo3e!alog behi! like ome !og5 A for myelf# % felt ery a3k3ar! a % ha! ma!e it a rule for me to let ogoo! youg la!y# if repectable# 3alk aloe i the eeig 3here % 3a# if they 3oul! accept mycompay5 But here % 3a i a !ilemma# a etire trager# ha! eer poke 3ith the ie 'aylor!#a! they might coi!er it a iult if % offere! them my compay5 A! there 3a a youg ma 3ith

3hom they 3ere ac>uaite! a! came to meetig 3ith hi iter# if ot 3ith him# a! he !i! ot offerhi arm# 3hy houl! %G But 3e 3ere oo to pa r5 *lapp6# perhap they 3oul! tay 3ith i *lappoeright5 %f o# all right 3ith me# but if they pae!# they 3oul! go oe mile o my roa! a! % 3oul!coi!er it my !uty to offer to ee them afely home5

9he 3e came to *lapp6# the ie 'aylor! bi! i *lapp goo! eeig5 A they eparate!# oe ofthe r5 *lapp teppe! for3ar! a! offere! hi arm to the youget of the la!ie5 % the teppe! up a!ake! the other for her compay home5 hi 3a the firt 3or! % poke to my 3ife# a he after3ar!proe! to be5 She politely accepte! my arm a! 3e 3alke! cheerfully home together# little thikig 3e3ere formig a ac>uaitace for time a! eterity a it after appeare!5

9he at their father6 houe# % teppe! i a! at a fe3 miute a! forme! a light ac>uaitace 3ith

her a! a part of the family5 % all# % pet the eeig ery pleaatly5% the prig of 18?D# about the 10th of April# o Su!ay eeig# % 3a at my brother Selah6 icompay 3ith 2eire5 A the u 3a about ettig % felt uuually loeome# a thig % 3auaccutome! to 3he i 2eire6 compay5 A thought came ito my mi! to go a! ee the ie'aylor!5 % imme!iately ai! to 2eire# "% thik % 3ill go to ee ,uice a! oaa5" She laughe! a!ai!# "&h# you 3ill ot go there5"

% ture! arou!# took my hat a! tarte!# a! let ome pero houl! get ome e3 to carry# % 3alke!out i a ufre>uete! roa! for ome !itace the ture! to the 'aylor! houe5 & arriig at the


10/58

houe# % leare! oaa 3a from home5

,uice 3a a mart# actie# 3ell-built girl# >uiet a! ot uch iclie! to talk# a! epecially 3ithcompay5 oaa 3a ot a ha!ome built# but more talkatie a! attractie# he looke! rather betteri the face# but 3hat 3a that to me a % eer e:pecte! to marry either of them5 % oly 3ihe! theircompay a fe3 eeig to pa off a loely hour o3 a! the5 ,uice a! % took a 3alk up the treeta! pet mot of the eeig at a coui of mie5

.rom that time# % iite! ,uice regularly util the firt Su!ay i uly5

ear the cloe of our lat iit# he tol! me that a youg getlema# liig i a a!Coiig to3 ha!iite! her a! oaa to go 3ith him to the .ourth of uly party5 A % !i! ot atte! uch place# he3oul! like to ko3 ho3 % felt about her goig5 She ai! he 3oul! like to go if % 3a 3illig5 % tol! her3e 3ere u!er o particular obligatio to each other# a! he coul! go if he choe5 A! 3he 3eparte! % tol! her % houl! ot iit her agai5 So 3e parte!5

% eer ite!e! to pay her aother iit5 he more % a3 of oaa# the le % thought of her5 hey 3ereo marter tha may other girl5 he family ha! Cut come ito the coutry# 3ere poor# a! % thought %might 3ell hae ome girl of more ifluece a! 3ealthy paret5 Still % a3 o oe % 3ate!5 2eire3a my frie! a! compaio5

A the eeig legthee! i the fall# % felt ueay a! my mi! 3a rather 3a!erig5 % ha! opermaet home a! a3 o girl % 3ate! or thought % 3ate! for a 3ife5 2eire a! % pet much ofour pare time together5 She 3a a true frie! a! a affectioate compaio for me5 She 3a like aiter to me more tha a iece5 % loe! her but ke3 % coul! ot marry her# uppoig it 3a ula3ful#ucriptural# for a ma to marry hi brother6 !aughter# a! tra!itio forba!e uch# % thought5

% became more loely a! felt it 3oul! a!! to my comfort a! happie to hae the priilege to pe!a part of my time i ,uice6 compay5 % reole! to pay her a iit a! tell her my feelig5Accor!igly# oe pleaat Sabbath eeig# % fou! myelf i frot of r5 'aylor!6 houe5 ,uice 3ata!ig i the !oor a! a % came up# her couteace brightee! a! he eeme! to be pleae! to eeme a! 3a uuually cheerful# a alo all of the family5

% tol! her % 3a loeome a! ha! come to pe! a hort time 3ith her if agreeable5 She rea!ily agree!to the iit5 he % tol! her % ha! o thought of marryig her or ayoe ele at preet# that % 3a otegage! to ayoe# a! if he 3a ot# % 3oul! like to iit her for the preet a! perhap util oe orthe other houl! become egage! to aother pero# a! 3e 3oul! be at liberty to keep compay orbecome egage! to ay other pero by otifyig the other imme!iately5 hi eeme! atifactory toher5 9e the kept each other6 compay util the lat of .ebruary 3ithout metioig the ubCect ofmarriage to each other5

% ha! built a goo! log houe 3ithout ko3ig 3ho % houl! put i it or 3he % houl! occupy it5 helat of .ebruary % i!irectly itro!uce! the ubCect of marriage a! acertaie! that he ha! ma!e upher mi! to marry me if he coul! get the priilege5 % ha! o3 leare! her mi! but ha! ot reeale!

mie to her5% 3et home a! pet a 3eek i cotat tu!y5 % ee!e! a 3ife= % 3a ? year ol!# ha! a houe rea!yto moe ito# ha! plety of proiio to lat u util more gre3# a! ha! a co3 that gae milk5 ,uiceappeare! to be the 3oma to take hol! 3ith me a! help perform the !utie of life 3ith me5.urthermore# cociece ai!# "She i the 3ife for me a! % houl! ot leae her5"

he e:t time % iite! her# % tol! her % ha! ma!e up my mi! to marry i the fall if it 3a agreeable toall parter cocere!= thi 3a yet to be acertaie!5 %t 3a the cutom of the coutry that 3he a ma3ate! a !aughter# he mut obtai the coet of the paret a! it 3a coi!ere! a !elicate matter for


11/58

a youg ma to ak the paret for their !aughter to 3ife5

hi 3a !oe out of repect to the paret more tha other3ie# for by la3 a ma ha! a right to marryay igle 3oma oer 18 year of age# 3ith her coet5

,uice6 father 3a ery !eaf a! ule % coul! get him far a3ay from home or other pero# other3oul! hear a 3ell a he a! tattler 3oul! hae the e3 to carry through the to35 o pleae thetattler 3a 3hat % !i!aie!# alo it 3oul! make ome port a! may a Coke 3oul! be cat at the ol!getlema6 a! my e:pee5 hi % 3oul! ot like5

r5 'aylor! 3a at 3ork at the illage buil!ig a houe# a he 3a a carpeter# o % 3rote a letter afollo3

r5 a! r5 'aylor!

%t beig the cutom of the people of our coutry to ak the coet of the paret 3he the !aughter ire>uete! i marriage# % 3oul! therefore elicit your coet that your !aughter# ,uice# may becomemy la3ful 3e!!e! 3ife5

%f you ee fit to gie your coet# pleae !o it by igig your ame a! retur thi letter to me5

9ith !ue repect#Lyma A5 Shurtliff

Sige!

oh 'aylor!

oaa 'aylor!

hi letter % ha!e! to r5 'aylor! a! the e:t time % a3 ,uice# he ha!e! me the letter ige! aaboe5

o3 it !eelope! to me to get the coet of my paret5 hi % !rea!e! 3ore tha the former a % ha!hear! mother ay he eer 3ihe! to ee ay of her chil!re marrie! a! % ke3 he 3oul! rather %

3oul! ot marry# at leat at preet5

&e eeig a 3e three 3ere ittig at the fire# % itro!uce! the ubCect of marriage a! ake! them ifthey 3ere 3illig that % houl! marry ,uice 'aylor!5 .ather rea!ily gae hi coet but mother keptilet5 +o3ig her feelig# % !i! ot pre a a3er5

About the mi!!le of ue# ,uice iforme! me that her mother a! eeral of the talkig 3ome of theeighborhoo!# 3ho by the 3ay 3ere our relatie# ha! gotte together a! ma!e arragemet for our3e!!ig# picke! out the guet# gotte up our apparel# picke! upo the time# ometime i &ctober# %thik5

% 3a o much oppoe! to 3ome takig the lea! a! goig ahea! of the me a! plaig mybuie 3ithout ee akig my coucil or coet# % felt e:e! a! chagrie!5 % 3a 3roth a! ma!e

up my mi!# 3ith ,uice6 coet# they houl! hae othig to !o 3ith our 3e!!ig# either houl!they hae the upeakable Coy of carryig the e3 of our marriage util it 3a o log goe that they3oul! be ahame!5

Accor!igly# % poke to ,uice o the ubCect of beig marrie! priately5 She 3a 3illig a! 3oul!rather be marrie! i priate tha make a great 3e!!ig if 3e coul!# but thought it almot impoible athere 3ere o may 3atchig u5 % tol! her if he 3oul! ay othig to ayoe cocerig the matter#!irectly or i!irectly# a! !o a % tol! her# 3e coul! get marrie! a! oly a fe3 ko3 it# a! thoe3oul! keep it a log a 3e 3ihe!5


12/58

he .ourth of uly 3a at ha!# a! it came o a Su!ay5 ,l!er Stur!aet 3a e:pecte! i to3 tocome to Selah6 to preach5 % tol! ,uice to come to meetig a uual a! % 3oul! maage the ret5 ybrother 9ale 3a goig to aea o buie o % et him to get a marriage licee from thecouty clerk5 9ale !i! o a! othig 3a thought of it5

& Su!ay he ake! the el!er home 3ith him to upper5 Su!ay a uual i hot 3eather# % put o mylie hirt# pat# hoe 3ithout ock# palm leaf hat# 3ithout ay ha!kerchief or craat about my eck

a! 3et to meetig5 o oe but 9ale a! 2eire ke3 aythig of our itetio5 After meetig# theel!er 3et home 3ith 9ale a! hi 3ife5 o them# 9ale reeale! the matter5

,uice 3alke! to father6 3ith me# took upper a! after ittig a3hile# i father6 a! mother6preece# % ake! ,uice to take a 3alk 3ith me5 9e took a ol! roa! that le! to 9ale6 3ithout paigay houe5 9e came to 9ale6 a! teppe! i5 All 3a rea!y= 3e too! up a! 3ere marrie! o uly 4#1805 9e took a !rik of cherry 3hikey a! reture! to father65 9e 3ere goe from father6 about oehour5 About uet 3e tarte! a! 3et to father 'aylor!6# but % !i! ot tay5

he e:t Su!ay morig# % 3et early to 3ait upo ,uice to the etho!it meetig5

% the illage# 9ale a! hi 3ife met u a! 3e took upper at father 'aylor!65 % the eeig i aCokig 3ay# % tol! oaa 3e 3ere marrie!5 She took it a a Coke a! thought o more of it5 % at 3ith

the t3o girl a3hile a! iite! ,uice to make a iit at 9ale6 e:t .ri!ay a! % 3oul! meet herthere# a! 3ait upo her to my father6 3here he 3oul! tay util 3e 3et to keepig houe5

9e !i! ot tell my paret 3e 3ere marrie!= it 3oul! be more likely to make feelig if my folk ke3it a! ,uice6 !i! ot5

9he ,uice a! % 3et to father 'aylor!6 o o!ay# the 1Dth Euly# 180F a! they fou! 3e 3eremarrie!# 3e fou! mother ery 3roth# a! he ai! they ha! prepare! ome thig for ,uice but he!i! ot thik that her father 3oul! let her hae them5

9e at a3hile a! chatte! util father 'aylor! came i5 $e 3a a pleaat a a ummer6 mor# 3agla! to ee u a! ai! he ha! gotte all of ,uice6 thig rea!y e:cept her be!tea! a! that 3a ot!oe5 % tol! him that 3a all right a % ha! a goo! oe a! he ai! he 3oul! fiih it oo a! let herhae it5 After !ier he brought o the thig cheerfully5 9e put them i the 3ago a! eparate!cheerfully a! all thig 3et off frie!ly after3ar!5 he e:t !ay# uly ?0 E180F 3e moe! ito ourhoue a! bega life5

About a year preiou to thi# o Su!ay bet3ee meetig# 3hile 9ale a! myelf 3ere at father6#oe of u took up a e3paper a! rea! a piece that tate! that a ma by the ame of oe Smith ha!fou! ome gol! plate i the tate of e3 ork 3hich he ai! 3a a recor! of the aciet ihabitatof America5 hi e3 gae me the mot igular feelig % hae eer e:periece!5 %t took the attetioof thoe preet# a! 3e ha! ome talk of the trage circumtace# a! it ma!e a latig impreioo me5 % hear! othig more cocerig it util the fall of 1815

oah ackar! a! a r5 /mphry came to .rakli a! ito our eighborhoo! preachig5 hey 3ere

ormo el!er5 % 3et to the choolhoue to hear them peak5 r5 /mphry ha! bee a etho!itpreacher a! hi !icoure 3a o mi:e! 3ith etho!it# % coul! lear but little5 r5 ackar! little moretha bore hi tetimoy to 3hat ha! bee ai!5 hey 3ere e3 begier i ormoim a! 3et o3et5 % 3a affecte! i a curiou maer 3he i compay 3ith thee me= % loe! them# but ke3 ot3hy5

9he they reture! from the 3et it 3a Su!ay a! 3e 3ere i meetig5 % 3a peakig5 9he theycame i a! 3ere eate!# oo the acramet 3a pae! a! they 3ere kippe! the brea!# it ot beigoffere! them5 hi hurt my feelig although they 3ere trager a! ormo5 % !i! ot feel atifie!


13/58

a! aroe a! tol! the people my feelig poite!ly5 9he % at !o3# oe of them aroe a! ai! theyha! o har! feelig a they houl! ot hae accepte! it ha! it bee offere! them5

% talke! 3ith them after a! they tol! me % ee! ot oppoe the gopel for % 3oul! yet blo3 the gopeltrump5 & makig i>uiry for the truth of the Book of ormo# they ai! to me# "Ak 'o! a! he 3illho3 you5"

9he thee me left# % 3ept like a chil! 3ithout ko3ig 3hy or the caue of it5 After they 3ere goe#their teachig a! ayig lay 3ith 3eight upo my mi! a! % ha! a great !eire to ee the Book oformo or the 'ol!e Bible# but 3here it coul! be fou!# % ke3 ot= either !i! % ko3 3hich 3ay totur5

ormoim trouble! me a! my 3ife cotiually5 9hile talkig of thee thig# % remembere! that r5ackar! a! r5 /mphry ai! if 3e 3oul! ak 'o! i faith# he 3oul! ho3 u the truth a! o 3eagree! to pray to 'o! to ho3 u the truth5 Accor!igly# at our eeig prayer# 3e uite!ly ake! theLor! to ho3 u if the ormo book 3a true# a! ho3 u the truth of the 3ork calle! ormoim5

Soo after 3e lai! !o3# % !reame!5 % thought % 3a ta!ig i the ortheat corer of my room5 %t3a a light a !ay but ot !aylight5 % coul! ee plai a! clear5 % too! facig the eat5 % toope!for3ar! a! ha! a large-i@e! hog by the oe a! 3a e:amiig it5 %t 3a a 3hite hog but !irty5 &e

ear 3a cloe to the hea!5 here 3a off oe ich from the hea! a! the tail 3a alo goe5 he hair3a log a! ery rough lookig5 %t ha! a 3ell-built frame but 3a ery poor5 9he % 3a throughlookig at thi hog % looke! a little to the ortheat a! there too! aother 3hite hog# perfect i eerypart5 %t beauty e:cee!e! i eery part ay hog % eer a35 hi hog too!# it hea! up a! lookigto3ar! +irtla!5

% the morig 3he 3e a3oke# % tol! ,uice % ha! !reame! a rather igular !ream a! thi !reameeme! to ho3 that the Book of ormo 3a >uite iferior to the Bible5 % tol! her of my !ream5"9hy#" ai! ,uice# "% houl! thik it 3a the Bible that 3a iferior5" A >uick a though the ceechage! a! the t3o hog repreete! the t3o book5 he Bible# poor# lea# !ifigure!# a! robbe! bytralator of may of it preciou part5 he Book of ormo# 3hite a! pure from the ha! of the

Almighty a! perfect i all it part like all the 3ork of 'o!5% a hort time % bega to thik it 3a a !ream# a! coul! % ret my alatio o a !reamG % houl! beahame! to hae people ko3 % ha! left my religio a! embrace! aother becaue % ha! !reame!about a couple of hog5 A! o the !eil reaoe! 3ith me util % became o cofue!# % coclu!e! to3ait a! ee 3hat further ei!ece % coul! get before % Coie! the ormo5

Some time i .ebruary# 18?# oe of the eighbor iforme! me that oe Smith a! Si!ey ig!o3ere to preach at aea# the couty eat of ortage *outy# the e:t !ay a! if % 3oul! go he 3oul!take me 3ith him i hi leigh a % 3a lame a! coul! ot 3alk5 % gla!ly accepte! the offer a! 3ero!e there together5

Si!ey ig!o preache!# talkig about the prophecy 3hich rea! "A! they hall ru a! ot be 3eary#

3alk a! ot fait= they hall mout up a o eagle6 3ig5" r5 Smith bore tetimoy to 3hat r5ig!o ha! ai!5 % !i! ot get much iformatio by thi meetig5 % thought % ha! hear! Si!ey ig!opreach# 3he a Baptit# much better# but % ha! ee the rophet# ot uch a lookig ma a % e:pecte!to ee5 $e looke! gree a! ot ery itelliget5 % felt !iappoite! a! reture! home rather cat!o35

% ue 18?# 3hile % 3a till earchig after the priciple of eteral life# % thought % 3oul! humblemyelf# a! 3ith my 3ife# agai ak 'o! to ho3 u our ituatio a! elighte our mi! i relatioto ormoim5


14/58

9e !i! a 3ell a 3e coul!5 % a !ream that ight % thought % 3a ta!ig o a platform 3ith a buchof buhe before me 3hich 3ere la!e 3ith the mot !eliciou beautiful-lookig fruit % eer a3 a!much of it 3a i my reach5 % picke! oe of it5 A little lo3er !o3 a! o my i!e too! my brother9ale5 $e 3a i reach of ome of the fruit but ot of the bet >uality5 /!er the buhe ta!ig o thegrou!# 3a my brother Selah# the *ampbellite el!er5 $e 3a tryig to reach ome of the fruit# butcoul! get oly ome of the mallet a! mot iferior >uality5

9he % a3oke the iterpretatio 3a thu % ha! bee eekig earetly the priciple of eteral life3hich thi fruit repreete!5 % 3a i reach of it a! i a fair 3ay to obtai it5 9ale 3a le belieiga! le a:iou a! 3a makig# or tryig to make but little proficiecy5 Selah# 3ho 3a ubelieig3a gaiig othig or but little i the priciple of eteral life5

hi 3a alo a !ream a! oo 3ore off or lot it 3eight o my mi!5 % 3a left i !arke a!!oubt a before5 % 3a !ame! a! truly afflicte! i mi! ight a! !ay a! a3 o light path to 3alkito5

% agai trie! to tur my attetio to the *ampbell !octrie5

% the fall of 18?# % ake! 'o! to gie me ko3le!ge of my co!itio a! that ight % !reame! theearth 3a coere! 3ith o3# about i: iche of o35 % 3a ri!ig horeback arou! a mall circle#

3ith Selah a! r5 $a!e# our preacher# o horeback alo5 r5 $a!e6 hore ha! but t3o leg# oebehi! a! oe before a! it ma!e ery a3k3ar! 3ork of traelig5 Selah6 hore ha! but three leg#t3o behi! a! oe before a! ma!e ery little or o hea!3ay i traelig5 % the e:amie! my hore5%t 3a a goo! hore i all hi part# but he 3a ta!ig till5

% the morig % u!ertoo! that the hore of 9illiam $a!e a! Selah repreete! the *ampbellreligio a! my hore repreete! the ormo religio a! ho3e! the perfect tate of the religio %3a ietigatig5

But# ala# agai % 3a trouble!= orro3 a! afflictio 3ere my lot5 % ha! poke i public for fie or i:year a! the people eeme! pleae! 3ith my itructio5 o3 % ha! receie! ome of the ormopriciple a! 3he % poke % coul! ot help preetig omethig of the ormo faith5 hi 3oul!

e:cite Selah or ome other a! they 3oul! oppoe me5 hi % a3 3a likely to !ii!e our church forabout oe-thir! 3a leaig to ormoim5

About thi time a coui of 9ale6 3ife brought a Book of ormo to hi houe for u to rea!5 heyrea! it but it !i! ot make much impreio o their mi!5 9ale let me hae the book a! % rea! itcarefully a! 3ith great a:iety to ko3 of it truth5 9he through rea!ig# my mother ake! me 3hat% thought of the ormo book5 % tol! her that % 3a atifie! that the Book of ormo 3a ot ma!e byma a! % !i! ot beliee ay ma liig by hi ko3le!ge of the Bible coul! !o it a! hae itharmoi@e a! agree 3ith prophet# reelatio a! teachig of *hrit a! the apotle a that book!i!5

hi appeare! to urprie her5

% beliee! thi book 3a gotte up by 'o! or the !eil= that o ma coul! of himelf !o that# for % ke3it 3a a great 3ork5 % o3 felt 3ore tha before a! !i! ot beliee i ay church a far a % 3aac>uaite! a! % reole! to leae that place the firt opportuity5

% uly 18# % 3appe! my little farm for 1?0 acre of 3il! la! i Sullia# Lorai *outy# &hio# ;0mile 3et of .rakli5 9ale alo tra!e! hi la! for 10 acre of la! Coiig mie i Sullia5 % themoth of Augut 3e tarte! to buil! each of u a houe5

hi la! 3a coere! 3ith heay timber# motly beach a! maple or ugar tree5 he ample tree gre3ery tall# meaurig 1?0 to 1


15/58

roa!# by choppig the tree for log5 % cut a! plit higle i: or ee iche 3i!e# oe half ichthick a! three a! a half feet log5 he % choppe! log to put o the higle to hol! the higle othe roof5 9he % got all thi rea!y# % got a gallo of 3hikey a! iite! 1< or ?0 me 3ho put up thehoue a! roof o i oe afteroo5

he e:t morig % cut out three log the 3i!th of the !oor# put i a fe3 boar! a! the e:t morig3e tarte! out o foot for home# reachig there about mi!ight5

% ol! off my property a! o the 1th of &ctober E18F# 9ale a! % tarte! 3ith our familie a! othe 17th got to our e3 home5 % took oe co3# t3o pig# oe pet heep# a fe3 chicke# furiture a!goo! a! my family 3hich coite! of my 3ife a! t3o mall chil!re# ,lremia a! ary ,li@a5

By the time 3e got there# it 3a o3ig har! a! the o3 3a about four iche !eep5 % put mygoo! ito the houe a! ki!le! a fire 3hich !i! but little goo! a the 3i! ble3 the o3 through thecrack ito our thig that 3ere pile! upo boar!5 9e ma!e a be! !o3 o the floor# hagig upheet a! >uilt arou! it# the oe aboe the top a! o ma!e our be!room a! lai! !o3 a! ha! acol! !imal ight5

he e:t ight 3e 3et to a eighbor6 a! taye! all ight5 % the morig % 3et back a! 3orke! othe houe a! at ight brought home ,uice a! the chil!re5 he 3eather 3a more mo!erate a! %

3orke! o the 18 feet >uare ii!e# a goo! cellar u!er a! a porch o the 3et i!e5 % o3 tarte! my3iter6 choppig= the timber 3a thick a! it cot about 1? !ollar to clear off a! fece a acre ofla!5

A % bega to chop arou! my houe to let i the u# ap from the maple tree ra o freely that ,uicema!e all the ugar 3e ee!e! a! ome to ell i the prig5 9e ma!e oer 00 pou! of goo! ugara! ol! ome of it for te cet a pou!5

% houl! hae eCoye! myelf 3ell if my mi! ha! bee at eae about religio5 AlaI % carrie! a hell imy heart5 &e of my eighbor# a r5 ame 2urfey# 3a a el!er i the ormo profeio5 $eiite! me= % trie! to hi!e my feelig a! reaoe! agait him# but all i ai5

hat 3iter a! prig % ha! choppe! a! cleare! three a! oe half acre of la!# plit rail a! fece!it# a! put it ito crop5 % coul! ot plo3 oe ro! of it o accout of the tump a! root5 % plate! t3oacre of cor by makig a place 3ith the corer of my hoe a! puttig i the cor a! coerig 3ithaythig % coul! get that cor 3oul! come up through5 % put i oe acre of gra ee!# t3o buhel ofpotatoe# a! a fe3 bea5 % put i a gar!e a! 100 apple tree a! 1? pear tree= alo ome peach#plum a! currat5 % all thi ,uice 3a a great help5

% ue % !ug a 3ell te feet !eep a! got plety of 3ater5 he 3ater 3a goo! lookig 3ater# but 3heue!# it eeme! to be impregate! 3ith mieral ubtace a! oe pit 3a e>ual to a portio of phyiEfeceGF a! operate! a uch5

uly ?# 18


16/58

ke3 ot 3here to go5 % ha! bee i tormet for four log year a! gre3 more mierable eery year5 %a3 othig but !arke before me a! urrou!e! 3ith eil ifluece5 %f % praye! it aaile! othig5%f % 3et to meetig % 3a i fear % houl! be calle! o to preach a! 3oul! it a! hake like a ma3ho 3a ery col!5

% rea! the Bible much a! 3a 3ell ac>uaite! 3ith the cotet o far a the letter 3a cocere!# buta to the pirit# % ke3 othig5 % me!itate! by !ay a! by ight came to o cocluio that % coul!

trut5 % feare! % 3oul! oo be a ruie! ma5

& talkig 3ith my 3ife o thi ubCect# 3e ma!e up our mi! to humble ourele a! agai lay ourcae before the Lor! a! plea! mightily 3ith the Lor! to coice u of the truth or the fality of theormo !octrie5

Accor!igly# 3e took a ack of !ry 3ool a! i the eeig lai! it out i the yar! a! calle! o theLor! 3ith all the faith a! eergy 3e coul! obtai that if ormoim 3a true a! of 'o! that the3ool might be 3et i the morig a! thi houl! be a ig uto u5

,arly i the morig % 3et out a! fou! the 3ool a !ry a 3he put there5 %t the came ito mymi! that 3e ha! tempte! the Lor! our 'o! i thi thig5 %f the 3ork 3a of 'o!# he ha! ho3 uthree time a! 3e ha! reCecte! hi tetimoy5 hi circumtace ha! a te!ecy to make u feel 3ore

tha before5

3o ormo el!er ha! propheie! that % houl! yet preach the ormo !octrie5 At time the pirit ime maifete! that 3he about 0 year ol! % houl! begi to preach the gopel of eu *hrit apropheie! o my hea!# yet four year ha! pae! a3ay ice that prophecy 3a gie# a! to me there3a ot a much propect of it o3 a 3he !eliere!5

About ?0 year ago# 3he % 3a a little boy at chool# my coui Hicet# much ol!er tha myelf#caught me playfully a! thre3 me hea!firt ito a o3!rift5 % cra3le! out# 3he he got me agai a!thre3 me i the eco! time# % cramble! out a! agai he thre3 me ito the o35 A % came out %ai!# "hree time you hae bapti@e! me a! yet % !o6t beliee5" $e replie!# "9hy Luma# 3hat !i!you ayG" hi oberatio of hi impree! the affair o my mi! o that % !i! ot forget the

circumtace but el!om thought of it util o35

% ha! bee t3ice bapti@e!# oce by the Baptit# a! oce by the *ampbellite a! o3 if % Coie! theormo a! thi proe! fale# % houl! yet be a ubelieer5

A to the church % left i .rakli# the member that 3ere fo! of hearig me peak oo !roppe! offa! moe! a3ay# a! Selah ol! hi property a! moe! out of to35 hu the church broke up5 ybrother# 9ale# moe! hi family from Sullia back to .rakli a! et up a grocery o the caal5 %remaie! about the ame# oly my trouble icreae! a! ule my ha! 3ere employe! a! my mi!occupie!# % 3a mierable5

% promie! the Lor! if he 3oul! ho3 me the 3ay a! gie me ko3le!ge of the true gopel# % 3oul!preach it a log a % lie!5 % the icerity of my heart# % ma!e thi coeat time a! agai5

&e morig i Augut# 18;# % tol! my 3ife % thought % 3oul! make a trip to +irtla!# the eat oformoim a! ee if % coul! fi! out the truth or fality of thi !octrie from there5

% tarte! o my Courey o foot# a! 3he % calle! o my folk i .rakli a! tol! my relatie that %3a goig to +irtla!# my folk 3ere ilet# e:cept father# a! he ai! he 3a gla! % 3a goig# forormoim ha! trouble! me for a log time a! he hope! % 3oul! be atifie!5 hi ome3hatecourage! me5 After % ha! pet a fe3 !ay i .rakli# % 3et to +irtla!5

% 3a a trager there e:cept for a r5 ackar! 3ho ha! bee at my houe i .rakli# but % ke3


17/58

othig of 3here he lie!5 A % pae! the +irtla! emple# % i>uire! of ome boy for oah ackar!5hey ai! they 3ere hi boy a! 3oul! go 3ith me to their home5

r5 ackar! 3a goe o a miio5 r5 ackar! 3a a coui of mie by marriage# but % ha! eeree her5 She receie! me ery ki!ly# but a oo a % at !o3 i the houe# % bega to feel mierable5A fear or !rea! came upo me5 9e ha! ome coeratio# a! at be!time he calle! o me to pray5 %ha! ma!e it my practice ot to e:cue myelf 3he calle! upo to perform ay act of *hritiaity5 9e

kelt !o3 a! % trie! to pray but that prayer % coul! ot fiih a! coul! thik of othig5 y pri!e3a humble!= thi ma!e me feel horrible i the e:treme5

Sleep !i! ot trouble me much that ight5 hi 3a .ri!ay eeig5

he e:t morig % 3a up early a! looke! oer the city of the ormo5 % the afteroo a fueralermo 3a !eliere! i the temple by are! *arter# a mart peaker# but % leare! othig i particular5he fact 3a the hori@o of my mi! 3a o obcure! by clou! of !arke a! !oubt of log ta!igthat % coul! ee othig a % ought5

he eil pirit came upo me a! ha! that po3er oer me that at time % 3oul! hake like a ma 3iththe ague5 At aother time % 3oul! be ta!ig o ome emeace EGF 3eepig like a 3hippe! chil!# a!ke3 o reao 3hy= the lot i me!itatio# 3a!erig about the city like a ma of little ee5

9hile i thi ituatio# my tormetor 3hipere! i my mi! a! ai! my little boy Le3i 3a !ea! a!if % !i! ot go home imme!iately he 3oul! be burie! a! % 3oul! ot ee him more5 % the calle! tomi! that the babe 3a ot >uite 3ell the morig % left a uual5 hi tregthee! or cofirme! the3hiperig of that pirit a! i pite of all my effort to the cotrary# it much trouble! my mi!5

y leg ha! bee cripple! for four year o3# a! bega to trouble me more tha commo5 % tate!preiouly that % !i! much hutig a! kille! may !eer5 % the fall of 18?# oe morig 3he the firto3 fell# % 3alke! out to kill a !eer a! ha! ot 3alke! far 3he % a3 a ple!i! buck5 % hot hima! 3he kiig oe of hi leg# my kife 3hich 3a harp poite!# lippe! a! the poit tuck ithe Coit of my left kee5 he % thought othig of it# a! 3he through !reig the !eer# % 3et homei coi!erable pai5

9he % got home my 3ife ai!# "ou hae kille! a !eer# but % 3a afrai! omethig ha! happee! toyou5" % replie!# "% kille! a !eer a! cripple! myelf5" 9hy % ai! thi % !i! ot ko3= % !i! ot thik it3oul! iCure me5 After thi % uffere! a great !eal a! ometime % 3oul! be cofie! to my be! for3eek together5 ,ery effort to cure it 3a ma!e but it !i! o goo!5 Surgeo ha! !eci!e! the kife ha!tappe! the Coit a! the oil oo@e! out5 At bet# % coul! 3alk 3ith !ifficulty5

9ell# % 3a i +irtla! 3ith thi leg a! it 3a gettig 3ore fat# a! it appeare! if % taye! a !ay oro# % might be oblige! to tay ome time# a! if my boy 3a !ea!# % might ee him o more5

hu# Satur!ay ight fou! me a poor mierable ma5 Su!ay % 3et to meetig5 here % fou! a maby the ame of $yrum 2ato E$iram 2aytoF 3ith 3hom % ha! a light ac>uaitace ome yearbefore5 % tol! him % ha! come to +irtla! to lear the truth of ormoim# a! % ha! leare! othig

e35 % houl! retur tomorro3 a! trouble my hea! o more about ormoim5 et# % 3oul! like to eea! hae a chat 3ith ome of the lea!ig me before % left5 r5 2ato E2aytoF ki!ly offere! to go3ith me to Brother 2ai! 9hitmer a! gie me a itro!uctio to him5 A all of the higher officer3ere abet# % thought thi 3oul! be my bet 3ay of learig 3hat % 3ate! to ko3# a! a r59hitmer 3a oe of the 3itee of the Book of ormo# % thought % coul! lear omethig5

9e 3alke! to r5 9hitmer65 % got the eceary itro!uctio a! took !ier a! pet the afterooi hearig him relate thig about the agel ho3ig him the plate from 3hich the Book of ormo3a tralate!5 % alo ake! him all the >uetio % ha! a 3ih to ak5 % ha! rea! a! hear! it all a!


18/58

leare! othig e35

9he tire! of ittig# 3e 3alke! out to 3here 3e coul! oerlook the flat# 3here % tol! him briefly ia fe3 3or! a poible# my belief a! ubelief5 % ai! % !i! beliee the gopel they preache! a far a% rea! it i the Bible# but % coul! ot ay that % beliee! that oeph Smith# r5 3a a true prophet of 'o!for % !i! ot5 either !i! % beliee the Book of ormo to be a reelatio from 'o! for % !i! ot5 hefacig him % ai!# "o3 you ko3 3hat % beliee a! 3hat % !o ot beliee# a! if you thik % am a fit

ubCect for baptim# % am rea!y to go to the 3ater= if ot# % ite! to tart home tomorro3 a! eertrouble my hea! ay more about ormoim5"

r5 9hitmer 3a ilet a fe3 eco! a! the replie!# "% 3ill go to the 3ater a! bapti@e you or getoe of my >uorum to !o it5" & the 3ay to the rier# he calle! o Syleter Smith a! at uet Su!ay#Augut ?1# 18;# % 3a bapti@e! a member of the *hurch5 2ai! 9hitmer cofirme! me5

% felt ery comfortable a! at eae5 % lept 3ell that ight a! i the morig % 3et to the office a!bought a Book of ormo a! tarte! home5 % ha! ot traele! far 3he my leg became 3ore a! thepai eere5 % ha! to 3alk lo35 /po reflectio % a3 it mut be three or four !ay before % coul! gethome# a! if my boy 3a ick# he might !ie5

% ke3 my eighbor 3oul! ak me >uetio a oo a % got home# a! 3hat coul! % tell themG % coul!

tell them % ha! bee bapti@e! a! cofirme! a member of the *hurch a! 3hat ei!ece hae %obtaie! more tha % ha! year agoG ot ay5 $ae % receie! the $oly 'hot ice % 3a bapti@e!Go5 o more tha 3he % 3a bapti@e! before5 2i! % beliee the Book of ormoG o5 o more tha %!i! four year ago5 2o % beliee that oeph Smith# r5 i a prophet of 'o!G o# % !o ot5 At thi % 3ahocke! at my ituatio a! bega to call o the Lor! i earet5

9hile % 3a prayig# omethig came o my hea! reemblig col! 3ater a! pae! gra!ually !o3through my 3hole ytem# remoig all pai# a! ma!e me a ou! ma from the top of my hea! to theole of my feet5

A oo a thi 3a pae!# % hear! a 3eet melo!iou oice about me ay# "oeph Smith# r5 i aprophet of the ot $igh 'o!# raie! up for the retoratio of %rael i thee lat !ay# a! the Book of

ormo 3hich you hol! u!er your arm i true a! brought forth for the retoratio of the cattere!remat of acob5"

A thi pae! off# % cat my eye to the outh5 A little 3ay from me % a3 my 3ife ta!ig 3ith mylittle boy ittig o her left arm 3ith the right arm o her left houl!er a! 3ith her right ha! poitigto me a if he 3a ayig# "See father# there i father5" hey both 3ere 3ell a! all right5 hi pae!# %3a i the roa!# a ou! ma# praiig 'o!5

After a fe3 mile % bega to thik 3hat % 3oul! ay to my eighbor 3he % got home5 % 3oul! tellthem % ke3 the ormo !octrie 3a true a! % ha! ee a! ke3 much a! coul! !o omethiggreat5 % !i! ot look to 'o! for hi ai! a! help but 3a boatig i my ko3le!ge a! tregth5 A!iagreeable feelig bega to come oer me a! 3he % comprehe!e! the boatig pirit % ha!

receie!# % humble! myelf before 'o! a! after ome time# obtaie! forgiee a! by thi leare! aueful leo5

& arriig home# % fou! all 3ell a! % thake! 'o! cotiually for hi forbearace a! great mercya! log ufferig i parig my life to the preet time# ee after % ha! reCecte! the tetimoy that %ha! ake! of him a! at lat# after four year# co!ece!e! to make ko3 to me the trut of that great3ork# heale! my bo!y that % might labor i thi great 3ork5 hak be to 'o! for hi goo!e to meI

y eighbor 3ere a till a a ummer6 morig5 % ha! bee a cripple there 3ith them three year a!they ke3 a! a3 it5 % 3a o3 amog them# ou! a! a healthy ma5 % 3a 3eighe! !o3 3ith


19/58

orro3 a! fettere! 3ith afflictio5 % o3 reCoice! i the Lor! a! my oul 3a full of Coy# a! myeighbor eeme! to mour5

he mi!!le of September E18;F# myelf a! family 3et to .rakli o a iit5 9hile there# Brotheroah ackar! came a! my 3ife# ,uice 3a bapti@e! o the ?0th of September# 18;# a! cofirme!a member of the *hurch of eu *hrit of Latter-!ay Sait5

% the forepart of 2ecember E18;F % felt a:iou to go to +irtla!5 .or eeral !ay# it bore heaily omy mi!5 About the 10th of 2ecember# % tarte! a! 3he % arrie!# % fou! there 3a to be acoferece of el!er o the 1uetly got a opportuity topeak o ormoim5 % coerte! a! bapti@e! may pero5

% the prig of 187# % felt the pirit of gatherig# but ot to +irtla!# for % !i! ot 3ih to go there# butmy mi! 3a to gather 3ith the Sait i iouri5 % offere! my farm for ale a! oo fou! that by!ii!ig it a! ellig it to three !ifferet me a! !ii!ig the amout ito three yearly paymet# %coul! ell imme!iately# 3hich % !i!# a! ol! my tock a! other property at auctio o a cre!it of i:moth5 y obCect i ellig o cre!it 3a that % coul! ell for more# a! o coul! go to iouri a!make a permaet home5 After % ettle! up my affair % bought a illage lot 3ith a houe o it a! omefruit tree# for 3hich % 3a to lay brick5 % moe! ito it 3ith the itetio of 3orkig at brick layigummer# a! i the 3iter make boot a! hoe a! tra!e i ay property % coul! make a profit o toupport my family# a! 3he my moey 3a collecte! for my farm a! tock# moe my family toiouri5

% plate! my lot to gar!e egetable# hire! my co3 pature! a! 3et to 3ork layig brick5

here 3ere o brick layer i to3 e:cept myelf o % ha! mot of the 3ork to !o5 here 3a plety oflumber# but o rock i thi coutry a! goo! facilitie for makig brick5 e 3ihig to buil! goo!houe 3oul! !ig ito the earth about i: feet# a! the i@e of the houe# the put i oe tory of brick#uig thi tory for kitche# cellar# butrie# etc5# raiig it t3o or three feet aboe the top of the earth#the puttig o a frame at ay height they choe# begiig their chimey o the bottom of the cellara! ruig up 40 or


20/58

coul! !o a! 3a ery happy5

% the forepart of Augut E187F my little boy# Le3i# 3a take ioletly ick5 % a fe3 !ay he 3a>uite lo35 he 3eather 3a ery 3arm a! there 3ere may ick 3ith !yetery5 y 3ife calle! me ibefore uet a! ai! the eighbor 3oma thought 3e houl! e! for a !octor or ele Le3i 3oul!!ie5 % !i! ot feel o5 % felt the Lor! 3oul! heal him5 he Lor! ha! ai! he 3oul! be a great ma i%rael5 9he % looke! at him# the Spirit ai! he i all right# a! % 3et back to 3ork5 At eeig a 3e

3ere about to lie !o3 to ret# 3e uite!ly ake! the 'o! of the Sait to heal our little o5 he e:tmorig Le3i 3a 3ell5

&ur youget chil!# Ly!ia A# 3a take ick5 9e ue! all our faith# but to o aail5 he Spirit ai!#"%t i eough# thi chil! mut !ie5" 9e et for the bet !octor= he !i! all he coul! for t3o or three !ay#but the chil! !ie! o the 1t of Augut# 187# at 11 i the eeig5

September 1t E187F i the afteroo# our girl 3a burie! about 40 ro! 3et of the ceter of Sullia#Lorai *outy# &hio# a! o the orth i!e of the roa! i the buryig grou! ear the ceter5

At thi time the rophet et out 3or! for the Sait to gather at +irtla!5 A fe3 !ay after# % fou! myteam a! packe! up all our thig# a! o the 1t of 2ecember# 187# % moe! my family to +irtla!5 %3a itructe! to buy out ome apotate# a! let them go a3ay out of +irtla!5 So % bought out

$arpig $igg E$arpi iggF# pai! him ?00 !ollar !o3 a! the balace i the prig# 3he % 3a totake poeio of the property o the 1t of April5

& the ;th of 2ecember# 187# my 3ife a! myelf met at a bleig meetig i the temple 3here %receie! a patriarchal bleig5

9he the patriarch took hi ha! off my hea! a! teppe! back# he ture! to me a! ai!# "BrotherShurtliff# ho3 !o you e:pect to go to your fiel! of laborG" % replie!# "% !o ot ko35" "% 3ill tell you5ou 3ill bapti@e a ea captai a! he 3ill carry you to the uttermot part of the earth5" 9e ha! aiteretig time a! after the meetig 3a oer# % ma!e the patriarch a preet of four or fie !ollar3ith 3hich he 3a 3ell pleae!5

9e the ie3e! the temple from the bottom to top5 9e e:amie! the mummie# fie i umber# looke!at the parchmet or papyru# a calle! i ,gyptia laguage5 he parchmet appeare! to be ma!e offie lie cloth# tarche! or i@e! 3ith ome ki! of gum# the iroe! mooth a! 3ritte i charter#figure# hieroglyphic# a! coeyig the ,gyptia laguage5 hee heet 3ere about eight by 1?iche5 hey 3ere rolle!# put i a gum cae a! lai! o the breat of the lea!ig me of the ,gyptia59he the mummie 3ere fou!# thi recor! 3a o hi breat5 heir bo!ie eeme! to be 3ou! upeach limb by itelf# 3ith eeral thickee of ery fie cloth !ippe! i gum or pitch like thick tar orroi a! 3ou! o 3he 3arm5 %t 3a from thi recor! that the earl of 'reat rice 3a tralate! bythe rophet5

y family 3a o3 comfortably locate!# a! % helpe! the *hurch pritig office to a little moey toget the Book of ormo prite!5

% o3 felt like it 3a my !uty to take a hort miio to preach the gopel a! fulfill my coeat 3ith'o!5 "hat i he 3oul! make it ko3 to me# % 3oul! preach it 3hile % ha! breath5" 'o! ha complie!o hi part# a! left me to fulfill mie5

% bought a e3 alie a! packe! my thig a! o the ?;th of 2ecember# 187# i the compay ofBrother homa Butterfiel!# left +irtla! for the 3et# ite!ig to preach 3here 3e coul! get ahearig5

he firt !ay pae! off 3ith much me!itatio= 3e agree! that each houl! !o hi part i obtaiig foo!a! lo!gig5


21/58

9e pae! *leela! a! o through the !ark 3amp 40 mile# 3here there 3ere taer all alog the3ay# fille! 3ith !ruke loafer5 9e 3ere abue! a! mitreate!5 ar a! feather 3ere prepare! forour back but the Lor! !eliere! u5 After 3e got out of the black 3amp# 3e came to erryburg othe eat i!e of aumee *ity a! from there traele! 3et about fie mile5 $ere 3e hel! meetig5

,arly i the morig 3e 3ere a3akee! by the report of a cao o the oppoite bak of the rier ithe city aumee5

& the 1t of auary# 188# 3e iite! ol! .ort eig# the acro the rier ito aumee city a! fromthere traele! 3et about fie mile a! taye! all ight at Brother $errick6 place5

& the r! of auary# E188F 3e traele! 1 mile i the rai a! hel! a eeig meetig5 he e:t!ay 3e traele! te mile a! 3et to Arol!65 he e:t !ay 3e 3et three mile a! hel! a meetiga! 3et to A!ria# ichiga the !ay follo3ig5 .rom there 3e 3et 3et 1 mile5 & the ?7th 3etraele! ee mile to ome# ichiga a! o the 8th# ?1 mile pat a lake calle! 2eil Lake# a eryloeome place5 9e left= the eil pirit ha! poeio here5 % 3a !ark a! gloomy= 3e ha! beerefue! at 1? houe5

9e the pae! the lake a! came to a illage a! the outh through a foret5 9e 3ere olitary a!loely for eeral mile util it bega to get !ark5 &ur mi! 3ere gloomy5 9e came to a mall lake at

the 3et e! of 3hich there 3a a cabi5 Such poerty % hae eer ee# but 3e 3ere ma!e 3elcomea! comfortable a! taye! the ight# a! a 3e left the e:t morig# 3e blee! them i the ame ofthe Lor! eu *hrit5

9e 3ere tryig to fi! a ettlemet i 3hich 3e thought 3e 3oul! fi! a goo! place to raie up abrach5 Beig a fater 3alker tha Brother Butterfiel!# % 3a a fe3 ro! for3ar! of him a! fou!myelf toppe! i the roa!5 he pirit ai! to me# "'o to +irtla!5" % ture! about a! BrotherButterfiel! 3a ta!ig lookig at the grou!5 % ai! to him# "9hat i the matterG" $e ai!# "% !o otfeel like goig ay further thi 3ay= % 3oul! rather go back5"

% the tol! him 3hat the pirit ai! to me5 $e ai!# "hat i right5" 9e ture! arou!# 3et back eeralmile a! i>uire! our 3ay5

9e tarte! at four o6clock5 A it bega to gro3 !ark the o3 bega to fall5 &ur roa! 3a a %!ia trailruig ear a lake part of the 3ay5 9he it 3a !ark# 3e coul! ee othig but o3 a! tree5 hetrail ha! bee log traele! by %!ia a! 3a !eep but full of light o35 &e of u 3alke! about 0feet before the other# feelig the trail 3ith hi feet# the hi! oe keepig ito the trail= a! if the firtoe lot the trail he poke# a! the hi! oe toppe! i the trail util the frot oe fou! the trail agai#a! the moe! out together5 %t 3a a log a! loeome roa!5

At legth 3e came to a rail fece a! 3ere thakful 3e ha! to go 3here 3hite me ha! bee5

9e o3 coul! hear a co3 bell at a !itace a! oo came to a houe5 %t 3a o3 eight o6clock5 9ekocke! at the !oor a! tol! the people 3ho 3e 3ere a! our buie5 he ma of the houe# a r5uel# iite! u i5 $e ake! u to preach that ight5 Although 3eary a! tire!# 3e accepte! the

iitatio a! at ie o6clock 3e bega to peak a! poke oe hour upo the priciple of our religio5hey eeme! 3ell pleae!5

%t 3a late 3he 3e got to be! a! eeral me lept i the ame room a! by akig >uetio# keptme a3ake util the rooter cro3e! for !ay5 % the !roppe! to leep a! at i: 3a calle! for breakfat5he fatigue of the pat !ay a! the leeple ight o oercame me that % coul! ot eat5

At !aylight 3e tarte! for the e:t houe# three mile !itat# 3ith the itetio of gettig omethig totake 3ith u for !ier5 he pirit !ictate! that 3e houl! top but 3e reole! ot to a! the foolihlykept o our 3ay5 A 3il!ere of ?7 mile lay before u5 he o3 3a fie or i: iche !eep# mu!!y


22/58

a! tha3ig may tream a! o bri!ge5 he St5 oeph ier 3a full5 9e trie! to cro= the 3aterra oer our boot5

About t3o o6clock# Brother Butterfiel! bega to complai of huger a! bega to eat mooe 3oo!#bu! a! 3he mooe 3oo! 3a ot ha!y# took bae 3oo!5 At firt % 3a iclie! to laugh at him# buti about t3o hour# % became fait a! hugry a! took to eatig bu! alo5 At ight it eeme! that %ha! eate othig for eeral !ay a! coul! eat aythig that 3oul! top my ragig huger5 % ate bu!#

herb a! bark# but it !i! o goo!5

% o3 bega to thik 3hat 3e ha! !oe5 he pirit maifete! uto u that 3e houl! top at the lathoue 3e pae! a! get ome foo! for !ier5 9e ha! ot harkee! uto the pirit a! 3ere o3ufferig5 $o3 !i! % ko3 but ome pero i that houe 3a ick a! ha! faith to be heale!G $o3 !i!3e ko3 but ome of the family beliee! a! 3oul! lea! to great goo!G 9e ha! !oe 3rog a! 3ereo3 ufferig the pealty5 hi 3a o commo huger for 3at of foo!5 % ha! bee 3ithout foo!much loger tha o35 But oh the ga3ig huger that 3a o3 3eakeig me# % eer felt before5

A the ha!e of ight bega to ret !o3 upo the foret# it 3a a loeome time for me5 9e ke3othig# ho3 far it 3a to a houe or 3hat tream 3ere before u to preet u reachig a houe thatight5 9e coul! ee othig but the po3er of 'o!# ule rootig o a tree all ight# that 3oul! ae

u from the Ca3 of the large black 3olf that 3a i thi coutry5 % praye! to the Lor! to forgie me ofthi folly or eglect for 3hich 3e 3ere ufferig# a! promie! % 3oul! try to !o better i the futurea! harke better tha % ha! !oe thi !ay5

9e 3ere paig through a lo3 pot of la!5 % ture! my eye to the right a! a3 a ice bu!le ofgra tickig up through the o35 % pulle! it off# a! picke! off the mo from the root# picke! offthe !ry pur of gra a! ake! 'o! i the ame of eu *hrit to ble that gree gra uto me that %might be tregthee! a! able to cotiue my Courey5 % ate it a! it 3a 3eet to my tate a! iteeme! goo! to me like a goo! meal of ictual5 9e traele! o util ie o6clock 3he 3e came iight of the firt houe5

9e 3ere receie! a! treate! 3ith repect5 he goo! la!y oo prepare! u upper# a! 3e felt to gie

'o! thak5 hi 3a i Seeca# Lea3ee *outy# ichiga5he e:t !ay 3e traele! 1; mile# a! the e:t !ay 1 mile5 hi 3a Su!ay a! 3e toppe! oera! hel! meetig but ha! much oppoitio by mob a! accomplihe! little5

% the morig 3e traele! ?? mile5 At ight 3e came i ight of the aumee ier5 he ice 3a goea! a ferry boat ruig# but 3e ha! o moey a! ke3 it 3a har! for a ormo to trael o boat3ithout moey5 So 3e ol! a Book of ormo for a !ollar# 3et to the rier Cut a the boat 3atartig# a! 3e Cumpe! o5

9he 3e la!e! i erryburg# 3e tol! the captai 3e 3ere traelig miiter# a! he ai! all right5

9e o3 reache! erryburg# a! 3e ha! 40 mile to trael through the black 3amp agai5 9e !rea!e!the Courey through the 3amp becaue of the e:periece 3e ha! before5

9e comme!e! ourele to 'o! a! traele! o5 9e ha! eate othig ice morig a! 3erehugry5 9e 3alke! a fe3 ro!= % picke! up a horehoe a! ai!# "%f you 3ill take thi hoe a! thipoor 18 cet bill a! go ito that hop a! ak for cracker# 3e 3ill get them5" y compaio !i! oa! oo came 3ith a large >uatity of goo! cracker i hi ha!kerchief5 9e thake! 'o! a! 3eto our 3ay eatig cracker5

9he 3e toppe! at a taer that ight# a! pai! the la!lor! 3ith the !ollar 3e ha! ol! the Book oformo for# 3e fou! the !ollar 3a o goo!5 9e tol! him that 3a all 3e ha! to trael eeral !ay toget home5 $e ai! it 3a a !ame! hame to take all the moey a ma ha! a! leae him o far from


23/58

home5 $e took the poor !ollar bill a! gae u back ?< cet5 hat ight 3e traele! 1 mile# a!3ere u!iturbe! a! got lo!gig that ight a! breakfat5

he e:t !ay 3e traele! ?< mile5 % the afteroo it bega to o35 ear ight it o3e! fat5 9e3ere amog trager# 3et# tire!# a! o moey5 9e felt loely a! thought of home a! frie!5 9e3ere ot there o 3e ake! 'o! to lea! u to a comfortable place for the ight5 9e 3ere le! to thehome of ormo5 he pirit of the Lor! 3a there a! Coy fille! my heart5 9e 3ere gie milk a!

muh for upper a! % thik % eer ate a better upper i my life or oe that % relihe! better= it 3a3eetee! by frie!hip a! the pirit of 'o!5 ay 'o! ble him a! hi5

& the 18th a! 1Dth Eauary# 188 GF 3e traele! 4D mile a! taye! oe mile orth of *leela!#&hio5 $ere 3e leare! that the pritig office at +irtla! ha! falle ito the ha! of our eemie# a!3a bure! !o3 3ith it cotet of 700 or 800 Book of ormo partly fiihe!5 &ur eemie ha!combie! their force agait the Sait# !rie off may of our lea!ig me a! they 3ere o the 3ayto iouri a! all 3a cofuio at +irtla!5 /til o3 3e ke3 othig of 3hy the pirit ba!e uretur to +irtla!5 % the morig 3e gae the la!la!y a pocket kife a! a hymbook to pay for ourlo!gig5

hat ight 3e got to +irtla!5 % fou! my 3ife 3ell but much cocere!# for they a3 o 3ay to get

out of +irtla! 3hich 3a o3 a hell to all Sait# but to pray for my retur5 Brother 9illiam a!Brother 'aylor! 3ere alo prayig for my retur o % coul! help them get out a! they ke3 othig3here to fi! me5 heir heart leape! 3ith Coy 3he they a3 my face5

9ell# % ha! bee o a miio= % traele! early


24/58

thoe 3ho coul! ot 3alk5 hey e:pecte! to tart o their Courey i ue5 hey iite! me to take hol!3ith them 3hich % felt iclie! to !o# but % thought bet to get couel o thi matter# a! 3et to eeBrother $yrum Smith# a! 3he he ke3 of my circumtace# he tol! me to ettle 3ith igg a! getomethig back if % coul! for % ha! pai! him more tha the property 3a 3orth to me5 %f % coul! otettle 3ithout payig him# let him hae the property a! take my family a! go ahea! before the firt ofApril for fear igg 3oul! make trouble for me5 % 3et to igg a! reaoe! 3ith him# but to o aail5

% ai! he coul! hae the property a! 40 !ollar# but he ai! o5 % tol! him he 3oul! get o more a!that e!e! that5

But ho3 3a % goig to moe a3ay before the firt of AprilG % ha! o mea o ha! or tuff to moemy family5

About the firt of .ebruary# E188F % tarte! back to Sullia 3here my property 3a5 % fou! thepeople 3ell a! frie!ly5 % tol! thoe 3ho 3ere o3ig me if they 3oul! pay me all my !ue by the firtof April# % 3oul! take oe-thir! i moey a! the ret i goo! ericeable hore# 3ago a!haree5 hey 3ere much pleae! 3ith thi offer a! ai! they 3oul! !o their bet5 % tol! them %3ate! t3o 3ago rea!y the mi!!le of arch5 hey ai! they 3oul! try a! % reture! to +irtla!reCoicig5 % ha! a large >uatity of maple ugar a! thi % ol! for ol! a:e5 % hire! a brother to repairthem a! about the mi!!le of arch# Brother 'aylor! a! myelf 3et to Sullia a! fou! t3oteam a! 3ago prepare! for ue5 9e imme!iately reture! 3ith them to +irtla!5

& the ?0th of arch# 188# % 3ith my family left +irtla! for iouri5 9e traele! util to3ar! ight3he it bega to torm a! became ba! traelig5 9e came to a repectable taer a! taye! all ight59e purue! our Courey the e:t morig a! i a fe3 !ay arrie! i Sullia5 $ere 3e ettle! upomy buie# prepare! 3ago# haree# bo3# coer# a! proiio of all ki! to lat u to the .ar9et# iouri5 he bleig of the Lor! atte!e! u i our preparatio to moe5 9e 3ere o3prepare! to leae the coutry a! go 3ith the ormo5 % ha! lie! here four year i all goo! faitha! feelig 3ith the people5 A! o o the 1?th of April# 188# 3e left Sullia a! tarte! for Jio# icompay 3ith ome other5 9he 3e ha! goe but a hort !itace# the hi! team took fright at the3ago coer a! ra a3ay a! ra ito the e:t 3ago 3here % toppe! them5

% about three !ay our hore6 houl!er got ore a! 3e ha! trouble gettig our team to tart i themorig5 rael 3a lo3# a! roa! 3ere ba!ly cut up becaue of much trael# a! the grou! 3aoft a! mu!!y5

ear %!iaapoli# the capital of %!iaa# 3e oertook eeral familie of Sait5 Amog them 3ere$yrum Smith a! hi brother-i-la3# obert hompo5 9e coul! obtai but little hay for our teama! fe! them grai= oe buhel of grai to each pa# yet they faile!5

9e campe! at arriehout Eerre $auteF a fe3 !ay# the croe! the 9abah ier a! oo came to ?4mile of prairie5 hee prairie 3ere lo3 a! oft# a! i may place# coere! 3ith 3ater5 Sometimeour team 3oul! mire !o3 a! alo the 3ago5 9e 3oul! hae to carry out the 3ie a! chil!reo our back# the 3a!e i# uhare a! get out our hore# the hitch a chai to the togue# put t3o

or three pa of hore# a! !ra3 the 3ago out5

he firt ight o thi prairie 3e campe! out of ight of ay houe# tree# bruh or ihabitatio that 3ecoul! ee# a! 3e coul! ee a far a the ight of ma coul! reach5 % a! all of the mefolk 3ere 3eta! col! a! 3e ha! othig to make a fire 3ith5 9e coul! ee at a !itace to the 3et of u a fireburig the gra5 9e 3ere campe! i a pot 3here the gra ha! bee bure!5 9e fe! our hore graia! 3he early rea!y for be!# the gra fire came o ear that 3e came to it a! 3arme! a!practically !rie! our clothe= 3e follo3e! up the fire util it pae! our 3ago# the 3e lai! !o3 a!lept icely a! a3oke i the morig by the cooig of prairie he a! croakig of frog# bull akea! may thig that make the oie the like % ha! eer hear! before5 9he 3e looke! to the outh to


25/58

ee 3hat ma!e the trage oie# 3e a3 a peck o the prairie at a !itace5 Some of the me 3et toee 3hat it 3a a! reture! 3ith a goo! log of 3oo! 3hich ma!e u a goo! fire by 3hich 3a cooke!a goo! 3arm breakfat# before partakig of 3hich# 3e bo3e! upo the earth a! thake! 'o! for ourcomfortable ituatio a! implore! hi bleig upo u a! our hore# 3ago a! eerythig 3ith3hich 3e ha! to !o5 9e the ate our breakfat# hitche! up our team a! traele! o5

Sprig ha! o3 come a! the gra 3a gro3ig a! all ature bega to look gay a! cheerful5 A 3e

came to the %llioi ier# the gra 3a gree5 &ur hore ee!e! ret o 3e campe! a! pitche! ourtet i a mall groe at the 3et e!ge of a large prairie 3here the fee! for the hore 3a goo!5

% a fe3 !ay 3e reume! our Courey a! othig 3orthy of ote occurre!5 & the ?! of ue E188F3e reache! .ar 9et# iouri5

% thought thi the mot beautiful coutry % eer a3 a! felt to reCoice that % a! my family ha! beepermitte! to gather 3ith the Sait i uch a goo! la! 3here % e:pecte! to lie util the Sait 3et toacko *outy5

Soo after % got ito .ar 9et# % met Bihop artri!ge5 % tol! him 3hat property % ha! a! 3hat ki!#alo the umber of my family a! that all 3a at hi !ipoal5 $e thought a fe3 miute a! ai! % ha!better make a place for my family o that % coul! trael a! preach the gopel5 hi 3a the firt time

3e ha! eer met to my ko3le!ge# a! ho3 he houl! ko3 % coul! preach or ee thought ofpreachig 3a a cofirmatio to me of mo!er reelatio5

% oo fou! fifty acre of la! that % lie! 3ell for a farm= forty acre of goo! prairie la! i ight of.ar 9et# a! the other te acre of goo! timber but a hort !itace from the prairie la!5 % moe! itoa log houe# chike! a! mu!!e!# but o floor# !oor# 3i!o3# or chimey5 hi houe 3a ear myla!5 % plo3e! a piece that 3a fece! a! earby5 % put i early cor# bea a! gar!e5 About oemile from me 3a a hore mill o3e! by Brother So!gra5 9he ot other3ie egage!# % took myteam a! grou! for him# receiig flour a! meal for pay5 % pai! the lat moey % ha! for a co3 a!calf 3hich cot me ?4 !ollar5

%t cot me ?00 !ollar for e:pee bet3ee +irtla! a! .ar 9et e:cluie of proiio 3ith 3hich %

tarte!5 % 3a o3 3ithout moey or foo!5 A cooperatie firm 3a orgai@e! 3hich % Coie! 3ith all %poee!5 %aac orley 3a appoite! prei!et5 he compay 3a orgai@e! ito compaie of teme5 &e 3a captai of te# or more if eceary# to uch 3ork a! it 3a oo !oe5 %f 3e ee!e!clothig or foo! 3e calle! o the captai a! obtaie! 3hat 3a ee!e!5

& the r! of uly E188F# %# 3ith eeral other of my compay# 3et ito the timber of 'ooe *reek#got the larget tree 3e coul! a! ma!e a liberty pole# a! o the 4th of uly# 188# the brethre a!their familie aemble! i .ar 9et to celebrate the !ay a! to lay the corertoe of our temple i thecity of .ar 9et5

,arly i the morig 3e raie! the pole# raie! the Star a! Stripe a! the lai! the corertoe ofour temple5 9e the aemble! u!er the flag of our atio a! ha! a oratio !eliere! by Si!ey

ig!o5 hi orator became >uite e:cite! a! proclaime! lou!ly our free!om a! liberty i iouri5Although Si!ey 3a a great orator a! oe of the lea!ig brethre# hi oratio brought orro3 a!gloom oer my mi!# a! poile! my further eCoymet of the !ay5

After the erice# the multitu!e !ipere!5 hi 3a o Satur!ay5 & Su!ay a clou! came oer .ar9et# charge! 3ith electricity# a! lightig fell upo our liberty pole a! hiere! it to the grou!59he the e3 reache! me# % iolutarily proclaime!# ".are3ell to our liberty i iouri5"

& the 1t !ay of Augut E188F my fifth chil! 3a bor5 %t 3a a girl a! 3e ame! her Ly!iaAma!a5


26/58

& the firt o!ay i Augut E188F a electio Eat 'allatiF 3a hel!5 %t 3a the la3ful right of theormo to ote# but the iouria 3ore the ormo houl! ot ote# ayig they ha! o moreright to ote tha a "igger5" hi 3a tryig to free bor America citi@e5

he ballot bo: 3a guar!e! but the brethre thought to claim our right a! maitai them# o theyote!# 3alke! up a! offere! their ote= a fight eue! a! i: or ee brethre cleare! out all thoe3ho oppoe! them5 hu 3a the tartig of the he!!ig of bloo! i the ormo 3ar of 1885

About thi time % 3a iite! to uite 3ith a ociety calle! the 2aite ociety5 %t 3a gotte up for ourperoal !efee# alo for the protectio of our familie# property a! religio5 Sig a! pa3or!3ere gie by 3hich member coul! ko3 the other 3hereer they met# ight or !ay5 All membermut me! !ifficultie if he ha! ay 3ith a member of the ociety# before he coul! be receie!5

he forepart of &ctober# the brethre at .ar 9et 3ere calle! to A!am-o!i-Ahma# 2aie *outy#iouri# to protect the right of the Sait there5 % amog other marche! to A!am-o!i-Ahma a!campe! i a groe ear *oloial $eight5 %t 3a late 3he 3e halte! i thi groe5 % 3a tire! a!3he 3e ha! our upper# % lai! !o3 my blaket a! lai! my rifle o it5 % rolle! up i my blaket a!lept 3ell util about mi!ight5 So3 fallig from the tree oto me a3akee! me5 hat morig it 3ai: iche !eep5 9e built a camp here a! ha! 1; i a me5 9e pitche! our tet here a! ma!e a fire

i frot of the ope flap5he e:t !ay 3e pet earchig the coutry to fi! 3here the mob 3a locate!5 hey 3ere i mallba! cattere! about the coutry plu!erig a! tealig all they coul! fi! that they 3ate!5 9hethe Sait 3oul! come# they 3oul! get o their hore a! ri!e a3ay5

A hort !itace from our camp too! a large tree5 $ere % 3a tatioe! 3ith or!er to let o oe pae:cept he gie the couterig5 About D o6clock % hear! t3o me approachig from to3ar! camp5 %ke3 by their oice it 3a our rophet a! hi brother $yrum5 9he they came i hearig !itace# %haile! them# i>uirig 3ho they 3ere5 he a3er 3a# ".rie!5" % ba!e them a!ace a! gie thecouterig 3hich they !i! oer the mu@@le of my rifle i true military tyle5

About t3o hour after thi# % hear! foottep comig !o3 the roa!5 9he i uitable !itace#

ta!ig 3ith my thumb o the cock of my rifle# mu@@le of my rifle up# % calle! out# "9ho comethere5" All 3a ilet= % too! there peerig ito the !arkee! roa!# e:pectig eery itat to ee theflare of ome rifle5 he ou! bega to moe to3ar! me5 he i a toe of authority# % or!ere!# "$altI"he % a3 it 3a a co35 % teppe! out of the roa! a! let her pa 3ithout giig the couterig# thugiig the co3 more leiecy tha % !i! the rophet of 'o!5

A !ay or t3o after thi# 3or! 3a brought to u that oe of our military me ha! bee caught a! ma!eto ri!e atri!e a cao for eeral mile5 A compay of Sait 3a et o horeback to the recue5hey 3et upurue! a! urprie! the mob5 he mob fle! a! all that 3a left 3a a hog comig!o3 earby5 %t toppe! a! roote! a little i the roa! a! 3alke! o5 &e of the me 3ho 3a earteppe! to the place 3here the hog roote! a! a3 omethig uuual5 & e:amiig# 3e fou! it to bethe cao of the mob# burie! i the treet5 earby i the prairie ri!ge5 hi ri!ge i a high a thetimber5 $ere 3e fire! the cao a! the report coul! be hear! from a !itace5

& thi ri!ge i a pile of rock about t3o feet high a! te or 1? feet broa!5 hi i ai! to be the altar3here A!am offere! up hi acrifice at the time he calle! all hi o together a! blee! them a!propheie! 3hat houl! befall them i the latter !ay5 A! the $oly 'hot rete! upo them a! theyroe up a! calle! him ichael a! he offere! acrifice to the ot $igh# a it i recor!e! i the firtBook of ormo5

he people 3ere all i great commotio becaue of the mob threateig to !rie the ormo out a!bur their property# 3hich they !i! i may occaio5 hi mob 3a the remat of 3hat 3a left of


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the $au6 ill maacre5

% 3a place! o guar! 3ith Apotle oh aylor to receie the team from the brethre 3he they camei5 %t 3a !ark a! 3e ha! to !epe! upo our ig a! couterig to ko3 each other5 9e 3et itoome !ry 3ee!# cloe to the roa!i!e# a! ma!e ourele a comfortable a 3e coul!5

9e taye! o guar! eeral !ay# helpe! to catter the mob a! reture! to our home i .ar 9et a!leare! that eeral of the mob ha! bee kille!5 /po hearig thi# the rophet or!ere! u all to moeito .ar 9et5 9or! 3a o3 et from the mob that if ome of the lea!ig ormo 3oul! come totheir camp the e:t !ay# the 3ar coul! be toppe!5 &ur brethre 3et out but fou! o oe there5 heyrete! a! ate# a! 3he returig to .ar 9et# they a3 a large compay of eemie marchig to3ar!.ar 9et5

% 3ith ome of the other brethre 3ere o the public >uare Eat .ar 9etF 3he the army marche! itothe city# forme! a lie of battle a! a!ace! to3ar! u5 9he 3e a3 thi# 3e et our 3ie a!chil!re up to the public >uare 3hile the me# ol! a! youg# forme! a lie at the lo3er i!e of thecity# e:pectig i a fe3 miute to meet our foe# ule the Lor! ture! a3ay their 3rath5 9he themob came up to 3ithi rifle hot they halte!# a! 3e too! lookig at each other for a couple of hour5&ur Sait# mot of them# 3ere firm a! u!aute!# though our umber 3ere fe3 3he compare!

3ith our eemy5 hey 3ere 3ell-arme! a! 3e 3ere poorly arme!5 After lookig at each other forearly t3o hour# the eemy retire! to the timber a! campe!5 9e 3et to our home# e:cept theguar! a! coul! hear the mob giig or!er to para!e5

At !aylight 3e repaire! to meet the foe5 9he they a!ace! a the !ay before# 3ithi rifle hot# they3ere or!ere! to halt a! i that ituatio remaie! util ear ight5 After parlayig 3ith our officerome time# our coloel a! comma!er# 'eorge $ikle# agree! to !elier our lea!ig me ito theirha!5 9he $ikle ha! agree! to thi# he reture! to our camp a! tol! Brother oeph# Si!ey a!Lyma# a! other that the comma!ig officer of the militia# a they calle! themele# 3ihe! totreat 3ith them if they 3oul! come out a! talk 3ith them# all matter coul! be ettle! 3ithout thehe!!ig of bloo!5 he brethre# thikig o harm 3oul! gro3 out of a coucil 3ith them# 3et out tothe eemie6 lie5 9he they got there# $ikle ai!# "$ere they are5" hey took our brethre prioer

a! marche! them ito camp5 At thi time# the mob raie! a hout or yell urpaig aythig of theki! % ha! eer hear!5

9e kept up a trog guar! that ight5 he e:t !ay they marche! up face to face 3ith u a! remaie!mot of the !ay5 At eeig# 3e u!ertoo! they ha! hel! a court martial a! etece! our brethre tobe hot5 9e e:pecte! a fight5 Accor!igly# 3e pet the ight makig a breat3ork of 3ago# houelog# 3oo! barrel# a! aythig that 3oul! preet the eemy from ri!ig o to u# 3hile 3e coul!hoot them5 % 3orke! all ight i a blackmith hop makig a! ha!lig the pear5 9e 3orke! up allthe teel 3e coul! get i the city a! all the hoop ha!le for ha!le5 At !aylight 3e 3ere prepare! ourlie at our breat3ork 3ith trict or!er to reere our fire if the eemy a!ace! util 3e coul! eethe 3hite of the eye a! the !o the bet 3e coul!# 3hich % ite!e! to !o# a! fight out o the pot#a! % thik thi 3a the mi! of mot preet5 he mob came up 3ithi rifle hot a! halte!5 hi 3a amomet of great a:iety5 % e:pecte! they 3oul! make a charge a! hu!re! be ma!e to bite the !ut5Although our member 3ere mall# % felt cofi!et the iciity 3oul! be our# a! the Lor! 3ork ourecape 3ith our lie# a! the kig!om of 'o! ca roll o5

9hile 3e 3ere ga@ig at each other# fille! 3ith me!itatio a! reflectio# ot ko3ig 3hat ourituatio 3oul! be the e:t momet# a meeger pae! up our lie# iformig u to urre!er a!gie up our arm a! become their prioer5 hi 3a o oember 1# 1885 hi ma!e may facetur pale# but all 3a ilet a the houe of !eath5

he mob forme! a hollo3 >uare a! 3e oo# 3ith muffle! !rum# marche! ito the place prepare!


28/58

for u5 9hile o our 3ay# each ma 3ho ha! a pear tuck the bla!e ito the grou! a! broke off a!the !roppe! the ha!le5 9e forme! a >uare 3ithi the >uare the mob ha! forme! for u5 9e 3ereface! i3ar!# our back to3ar! our eemie# they beig about ;0 feet i our rear5 9e occupie! thipoitio for eeral hour 3hich gae u time for ober reflectio5 A hort time ice# 3e e:pecte! bythi time that may of the mob# a! perhap ome of u 3oul! be i eterity5 9e ha! lai! our arm!o3 a! 3ere ittig or lyig o them5

% the rear of me % coul! hear the mob 3ear to 'o! they 3oul! hoot u !ea! a! coul! hear them talkagait u# 3hile ayig# "%t i eough# the ormo are our prioer5" % felt ery i!ifferet about thematter a the firt fire 3a a igal for a fight5 % ke3# too# that all the ball that mie! u 3oul! takegoo! effect o the mob beyo! u# about 0 yar! a3ay# mot of 3hom 3ere o hore5 ay thoughtra through my mi! 3hile ittig o the grou! o that log-remembere! pot of earth5

About oo 3e 3ere marche! a3ay from our arm# a! % hae ot ee my rifle ice5 9e 3ere takeito the city a! put u!er a heay guar! a! kept util ight 3ithout foo! or !rik5 At ight % 3apermitte! to lo!ge 3ith my family u!er the pealty of !eath if % left the city5

he e:t morig 3e 3ere gathere! together a! compelle! to i

autobiography of luman andros shurtliff

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