RLDS Church History Search

Chapter Context

RLDS History Context Results

Source: Church History Vol. 1 Chapter 17 Page: 471 (~1834)

Read Previous Page / Next Page

471 use their influence to allay the excitement which everywhere prevailed against us." -Times and Seasons, vol. 6, pp. 789, 790, 803, 804.

Lyman Wight, under date of June 19, 1834, writes:-

"This day passed through Richmond . . . . Four miles farther, between the two branches of Fishing River, encamped near a Baptist meetinghouse. About the setting of the sun the clouds commenced rising with a frightful appearance. Heavier thunder or sharper lightning probably never was heard or seen. The rain commenced falling in torrents, and continued nearly through the night. Those two rivers had increased from a low ebb to from sixteen to twenty feet of water, overflowing the bottom for several miles. This proved, however, to be a beneficial circumstance to us, as a mob had collected on both sides of the road, and were rapidly increasing in numbers, with a determination to fall upon us this night. Thirty or forty of this mob crowded themselves into an old cabin, and in endeavoring to hold their horses by their bridles, many of them were severely injured by the falling of the hail. About three miles from where we encamped the hailstones fell from the size of a rifle ball to that of turkey's eggs. We spent a doleful night."

Soon after crossing the Mississippi River they delegated Orson Hyde and P. P. Pratt to visit Governor Dunklin, to present before him the nature of their mission and ask his protection and aid. P. P. Pratt in his Autobiography writes of this interview as follows:-

"Arriving in the Allred settlement, near Salt River, Missouri, where there was a large branch of the church, the camp rested a little, and dispatched Elder Orson Hyde and myself to Jefferson City, to request of His Excellency, Governor Daniel Dunklin, a sufficient military force, with orders to reinstate the exiles, and protect them in the possession of their homes in Jackson County.

"We had an interview with the Governor, who readily acknowledged the justice of the demand, but frankly told us he dare not attempt the execution of the laws in that respect, for fear of deluging the whole country in civil war and

(page 471)

Read Previous Page / Next Page

Amazing Testimony: When a NON-Christian finds the Book of Mormon..

RLDS Church History Search