find him that night, albeit we searched for him
diligently. I was afraid he would be robbed; but he happened to
meet honest men, as drunkards will, who put him in bed, and kept
him and his money in safety until morning. After leaving St.
Joseph, where we had purchased a lot of supplies, we started for
winter quarters; we had to go through six feet of snow the whole
distance.

We reached our friends. I had two hundred dollars, of which the
soldiers had made me a present. I took three of the mules we had
found on the way, and divided the others between my companions.
We reached winter quarters, now called Florence, on the 15th day
of December, 1846. The snow was deep, and my family, all living
in tents, were in a suffering condition. But I must report to
Brigham, then attend to my family. My family received me as they
always did, with open arms and thankful hearts.

CHAPTER XVII - LEE IS TREATED BADLY BY THE BRETHREN

With me I had brought home about all that my team could haul of
supplies, clothing, and groceries, which soon made my family
comfortable. I had met Brigham and shaken hands with him, but had
not made my report or delivered the money to him. The next
morning Brigham called to see me, and notified me that the
Council would meet at nine o'clock at Dr. Richards', and for me
to be there and make my report. He appeared ashamed of the manner
in which my family had been treated.

"Brother Brigham, how does this compare with your promises to me,
when I trusted all to you?" I said.

"Brother John," Brigham replied, "I am ashamed of the conduct of
this people. Do not blame me, Brother John, for I have done the
best I could." Then putting his hand on my shoulder, he said:
"Don't feel bad about it. You will live through, and the day will
come when we can look back and see what we have endured for the
Kingdom of Heaven's sake. Lord bless you, Brother John."

Allow me to jump from 1847 to 1877, just thirty years. I have
remained faithful to the end. I was adopted by Brigham, and was
to seek his interests here, and in return he was to seek my
salvation; I, being an heir of his family, was to share his
blessings in common with his other heirs. True to my pledges, I
have done his bidding. I have let him direct my energies in all
things. And the time has come for me to receive my reward. An
offering must be made; I must hew the wood and build the altar;
then, as did Abraham of old with his son Isaac, I must be lai