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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 39 Page: 761

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761 and its ultimate occupancy by the saints of God. Shortly after this he went to Kingsville, where his second sister, Amy, then Mrs. David Osburn, resided. Here he attended normal school. At this place, in the autumn of 1837, he first heard the doctrine taught by the Latter Day Saints, through Elder John Landers, whose cousin, Richard Harrington, was the Baptist minister of the place.

The doctrine taught by Elder Landers agreeing with his former vision, he accepted it; but being a minor, and not having the consent of his parents, he did not embrace it, though a branch was raised up there through the efforts of Elders Landers, B. C. Ellsworth, and others.

In the fall of 1839 he returned home, and in the spring of 1840 his father gave him his time, and he started for Illinois, where he had an uncle living; but hearing of some Shippys in Laporte County, Indiana, he sought them, finding a Mr. Hosea Shippy and family. He had been working by the way and did not arrive there until the autumn of 1841. These Shippys were supposed to be distant relatives, but the exact relationship was not traceable.

On December 28, 1841, he was married to Sophronia, the youngest daughter of Hosea Shippy, who was then the widow of Harvey Lemon. In the autumn of 1842 he was baptized by a young elder by the name of George W. Chase, who visited the neighborhood. After this he had another remarkable vision or dream, in which his future work, and the future of the church were pointed out.

In the spring of 1843, there being no branch where he resided, he went to Chicago, Illinois, and united with a branch then existing at that place. At Chicago he was ordained a priest by John Cairns. From there he went to Nauvoo, on foot, visiting by the way his sister Rhoda, at Princeton, and Elder John Landers, at Walnut Grove.

Arriving at Nauvoo, he put up at the Nauvoo Mansion, and became acquainted with Joseph Smith. He also had many long and interesting interviews with Lucy Smith, the Prophet's mother, regarding her early experiences in the church.

(page 761)

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