SAINTS GATHER AT NAUVOO

About the middle of February, 1839, I started back for Fayette
County, Illinois, with my family, in company with Brother Levi
Stewart and Riley Helm, two of my old Illinois neighbors. While
traveling through Missouri we were kindly treated by most of the
people; many of them requested us to stop and settle down by
them. I refused to do so, for I knew there was no safety for a
true Saint in that State at that time.

When we crossed the Mississippi River at Quincy, and touched
Illinois soil, I felt like a new man, and a free American citizen
again. At this place I found many of the Saints who had preceded
us camped along the river. Some had obtained employment; all
appeared happy in the faith and strong in the determination to
build up the Kingdom. Here I parted with Riley Helm, as his team
had given out and he could go no farther. I gave him twenty-five
cents in money - all that I had in the world - and twelve pounds
of nails, to buy food with until he could get aid from some other
quarter. I had laid in enough provisions at Brother Morris' to
last me until I could reach my old home again. I started from
Quincy by way of Mr. Vanleven's, the man I sold my cattle to,
taking his note, when going to join the Saints.

Without meeting with any remarkable adventures, I arrived at Mr.
Vanleven's house and was kindly received by him. He had the money
ready for me, and paid me in full all he owed on the cattle. I
now saw that some honesty yet remained in the world. I took two
hundred dollars and left the rest of it with my friend and
banker, so that it would be safe in case I met another storm of
oppression. I then went to Vandalia, Illinois, and put up with my
wife's sister's husband, Hickerson. He was in good circumstances.
I left my wife with her sister, after laying in a supply of
provisions for her and our child. I then commenced preparing for
a mission. I did not know where I was to go, but I felt it my
duty to go forth and give my testimony to the truth of the gospel
as revealed by Joseph, the prophet of the everlasting God.
Brother Stewart was to go with me, he having made arrangements
for the comfort of his family during his absence.

The time I started on my first mission was about the 1st of
April, 1839. I bade adieu to my little family and started forth,
an illiterate, inexperienced man, without purse or scrip. I could
hardly quote a passage of Scripture, yet I went forth to say to
the w