626 selected by Emma Smith, in fulfillment of the revelation.
Arrangements were also made for supplying the saints with stores in Missouri and Ohio, which with a few exceptions, was hailed with joy by the brethren. Before we left Independence, elder Rigdon preached two most powerful discourses, which, so far as outward appearance is concerned, gave great satisfaction to the people.
On the 6th of May I gave the parting hand to the brethren in Independence, and in company with brothers Rigdon and Whitney, commenced a return to Kirtland, by stage to St. Louis, from thence to Vincennes, Indiana; from thence to New Albany, near the falls of the Ohio river. Before we arrived at the latter place, the horses became frightened, and while going full speed bishop Whitney attempted to jump out of the coach, but having his coat fast, caught his foot in the wheel and had his leg and foot broken in several places; at the same time I jumped out unhurt, and we put up at Mr. Porter's public house, in Greenville, for four weeks, while elder Rigdon went directly forward to Kirtland. During all this time, Brother Whitney lost not a meal of vituals [victuals] or a night's sleep, and doctor Porter, our landlord's brother, who attended him, said it was a d d pity we had not got some Mormon there, they can set broken bones or do anything else. I tarried with brother Whitney and administered to him till he was able to be moved. While at this place I frequently walked out in the woods, where I saw several fresh graves; and one day when I rose from the dinner table, I walked directly to the door and commenced vomiting most profusely. I raised large quantities of blood and poisonous matter, and so great were the muscular contortions of my system, that my jaw was dislocated in a few moments. This I succeeded in replacing with my own hands, and made my way to brother Whitney, (who was on the bed) as speedily as possible; he laid his hands on me and administered in the name of the Lord, and I was healed in an instant, although the effect of the poison had been so powerful, as to cause much of the hair to become loosened from my head.-Thanks be to my heavenly Father for his interference in my behalf at this critical moment, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Brother Whitney had not had his foot moved from the bed for near four weeks, when I went into his room, after a walk in the grove, and told him if he would agree to start for home in the morning, we would take a waggon [wagon] to the river, about four miles, and there would be a ferry boat in waiting which would take us quickly across, where we would find a hack which would take us directly to the landing, where we should find a boat in waiting, and we will be going up the river before 10 o'clock, and have a prosperous journey home. He took courage and told me he would go. We started next morning and found everything as I had told him, for we were passing rapidly up the river before 10 o'clock, and landing at Wellsville, took stage coach to Chardon, from thence in a waggon [wagon] to Kirtland, where we arrived sometime in June, and I found my wife as before mentioned.
As soon as I could arrange my affairs, I recommenced the translation of the scriptures, and thus I spent most of the summer. In July we received the first number of the 'Evening and Morning Star,' which was a joyous treat to the saints. Delightful, indeed, was it, to contemplate, that the little band of brethren had become so large, and grown so strong, in so short a space as to be able to issue a paper of their own, which contained not only some of the revelations, but other information also,-which would gratify and enlighted [enlighten] the humble enquirer [inquirer] after truth.
So embittered was the public mind against the truth, that the press universally had been arrayed against us; and although many news papers published the prospectus of our new paper, yet it appeared to have been done more to calumniate the editor, than give publicity to the sheet. Editors thought to do us harm, while the saints rejoiced that they could do nothing against the truth, but for it.
The following extracts from the 'Evening and Morning Star;'Independence, Missouri, June 1832, first number.
"TO MAN"
With the help of God, the first number of the Evening and Morning Star, comes to the world for the objects specified in its prospectus, which was published last winter. That we should now recapitulate some of its leading objects and briefly add a few remarks, will naturally be expected: and we cheerfully do so, that this generation may know, that the Star comes in these last days as the friend of Man, to persuade him to turn to God and live, before the great and terrible day of the Lord sweeps the earth of its wickedness. That it comes not only as the messenger of truth, to bring the revelations and commandments of God which have been, but to publish those that God gives NOW, as in the days of old, for he is the same God yesterday, today and forever; and, if, after he was taken up, as mentioned in the first chapter of Acts, he through the Holy Ghost had given
(page 626) |