s never bothered us at
Summer Quarters again. In the fall they made us a friendly visit,
and called me a Sioux.

Near our settlement there was an abundance of wild game - deer,
turkey, prairie chickens, ducks, geese, brant, and squirrels -
which gave us much of our food during our stay. We worked
diligently and raised a great crop of corn and vegetables. We
built comfortable houses, and made the floors and roofs of
basswood, which was plenty near by, and worked easily.

In July the people were all sick. The fever and ague were fairly
a contagion. Other diseases were not uncommon. In August and
September seventeen of our people died. During these months we
had hardly a sufficient number of well people to attend to the
sick. The most of my family were very sick. My little son, Heber
John, the child of my first wife, Agathe Ann, died; also David
Young, Sr., the father of my two wives, Polly and Louisa; also
their brother, David Young, Jr. I lay at the point of death for
some time. I was in a trance nearly one hour and a half.

While in this condition my wives Rachel and Nancy stood over me
like guardian angels, and prayed for me. My spirit left the body
and I was taken into another sphere, where I saw myriads of
people - many of whom I was acquainted with and had known on
earth. The atmosphere that they dwelt in was pure and hallowed.
Pain and sorrow were unknown. All was joy and peace. Each spirit
was blest with all the pleasure its ability enabled it to
comprehend and enjoy. They had full knowledge of earthly doings
and also of the sphere where they were so blest. The glory of God
shone upon them, the power of Heaven over-shadowed them all, and
was to them a shield from temptations and dangers. I was anxious
to remain, but the spirits told me I must return to the body and
remain in it until my appointed time for death - that my work on
earth was not yet finished. I obeyed, but did so with reluctance,
and once more entered the body, then apparently lifeless upon the
bed of sickness.

After taking possession of the body again I lay some time in deep
thought, contemplating the majesty of God's works. I then spoke
to my faithful nurses, and told them of what I had done, heard,
and witnessed. I recovered from my sickness, but my life was for
some time a misery to me. I longed to join that angelic host I
had so lately visited in their mansions of glory and pleasure,
where I knew I was to go when I escaped from this body