th all thy heart, mind, and strength.' The second
commandment is, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Upon
these two hang all the law and the prophets."

To more deeply impress these truths upon the minds of his people
the Prophet gave them an account of the man who fell among
thieves and was relieved by the stranger; and he also taught us
from the Scriptures, as well as by the revelations that he had
received from God, that it is humane acts and deeds of kindness,
justice and words of truth, that are accounted to man for
righteousness; that prayers, made to be heard by men, and
hypocritical groans are displeasing to God.

The Prophet talked to us plainly, and fully instructed us in our
duty and gave the long-faced hypocrites such a lecture that much
good was done. I had at that time learned to dread a religious
fanatic, and I was pleased to hear the Prophet lay down the law
to them. A fanatic is always dangerous, but a religious fanatic
is to be dreaded by all men - there is no reason in one of them.
I cannot understand how men will blindly follow fanatical
teachers. I always demanded a reason for my belief, and hoped I
never would become a victim of fanaticism.

During the summer of 1840 I built a house and such other
buildings as I required on my lot on Warsaw street, and was again
able to say I had a home. The brethren were formed into military
companies that year in Nauvoo. Col. A. P. Rockwood was drillmaster.
Brother Rockwood was then a captain, but was afterwards promoted
to be colonel of the Host of Israel. I was then fourth corporal
of the company. The people were regularly drilled and taught
military tactics, so that they would be ready to act when the
time came for returning to Jackson County, the land of our
inheritance. Most of my wife's relatives came to Nauvoo that
year, and settled near my house.

In 1841 I was sent on a mission through Illinois, Kentucky, and
Tennessee. I also visited portions of Arkansas. I traveled in
company, on that mission, with Elder Franklin Edwards. I was then
timid about speaking in towns or cities. I felt that I had not a
sufficient experience to justify me in doing so.

My comrade had less experience than I had, and the worst of it
was he would not study to improve his mind, or permit me to study
in quiet. He was negligent, and did not pay sufficient attention
to secret prayer, to obtain that nearness to God that is so
necessary for a minister to have if he exp