| 771 their mite, in future, as faithful servants in the service of their Lord and Master. But with great care, there will be few only, that can exhibit as faithful a stewardship as Elder Kimball. We shall endeavor to continue extracts as we have time. The scenes of the present, have never been given entire to the saints; of course, they will be interesting:
EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF ELDER HEBER C. KIMBALL.
During my stay here (Kirtland) and on the 17th February 1834, as general council of twenty four High Priests assembled at the house of Joseph Smith jr., by revelation, and proceeded to organize the High Council of the church of Christ, which was to consist of twelve High Priests. The number composing the council who voted in the name of and for the church in appointing these councillors [councilors] were forty three, as follows; Nine High Priests, seventeen Elders, four Priests, and thirteen members. During this time I received much precious instruction concerning the order of the kingdom .
When I got to Kirtland the brethren were engaged in building the house of the Lord. The commandment to build the house, and also the pattern of it was given in a revelation to Joseph Smith jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, and was to be erected by a stated time. The church was in a state of poverty and distress, in consequences of which it appeared almost impossible that the commandment could be fulfilled, at the same time our enemies were raging and threatening destruction upon us, and we had to guard ourselves night after night, and for weeks were not permitted to take off our clothes, and were obliged to lay with our fire locks in our arms.
At this time also, our brethren were suffering great persecution in Jackson county, Missouri; about twelve hundred were driven, plundered and robbed; and their houses burned and some were killed. The whole country seemed to be in arms against us, ready to destroy us. Brother Jofeph [Joseph] received a lengthy revelation concerning the redemption of Zion, which remains to be fulfilled in a great measure. But he thought it best to gather together as many of the brethren as he conveniently could, with what means they could spare and go up to Zion to render all the assistance that we could to our afflicted brethren. We gathered clothing and other necessaries to carry up to our brethren and sisters who had been stripped; and putting our horses to the wagons, and taking our firelocks and ammunition, we started on our journey; leaving only Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, and the workmen who were engaged at the Temple; so that there were very few men left in Kirtland. Our wagons were about full with baggage &c., consequently we had to travel on foot. We started on the 5th of May, and truly this was a solemn morning to me. I took leave of my wife and children and friends, not expecting ever to see them again, as myself and brethren were threatened both in that country and in Missouri by the enemies, that they would destroy us and exterminate us from the land.
There were about one hundred brethren in our company who started for Zion. These brethren were all young men and nearly all elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons. The second day we arrived at New Portage, being about 50 miles, at which place on the 7th, we made regulations for travelling [traveling], and appointed a paymaster whose name was Frederick G. Williams, and put all of our monies [money] into a general fund. Some of the brethren had considerable, and others had little or none, yet all became equal. While here one of my horse received a kick from another horse, which obliged me to trade away my span, and get another span of older horses. We then proceeded on our journey twelve miles to the Chippeway. The next day we were divided into companies of twelve each, and captains were appointed over each company. I then organized my company in the following manner, appointing two to attend to cooking, two to see that fires were made, two to prepare the tent at night and prepare the bedding, and also to strike the tent each morning, two to fetch and provide water, one to do the running, two to see to the horses, see that the wagon was greased, and every thing prepared for starting. My business was to see that the company was provided for, and to see that all things were done in order. Our living generally was very good, being able to buy bread from the bakers on the way through the settled part of the country.-After this we purchased flour and had to bake our own bread. We sometimes had to live mostly on johnny cakes and corn dodger, and sometimes our living was scant. Every night before we went to bed we united in our tent and offered up our prayers before the Lord for protection. This was done at the sound of a trumpet; and at the sound of the trumpet in the morning, every man was upon his knees and some one made prayer. There was a similar order attended to in each tent. There were higher officers appointed over the company.
On the 8th we started on our journey, and on Saturday the 10th, we passed through Mansfield and camped for the Sabbath in Richfield. On Sunday the 11th, brother Sylvester Smith
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