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gdm Digest            Sunday, May 25 1997            Volume 01 : Number 014



In this issue:

    ---> Lesson 20

See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the gdm
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Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 22:46:38 -0700
From: "Perry L. Porter" <[e-mail]>
Subject: ---> Lesson 20

Doctrine and Covenants 66-70
Lesson 20
Scriptural Highlights
1. The uninspired cannot duplicate the Lord's revelations.
2. Those who are worthy may see the Lord.
3. Parents should teach their children the principles of the gospel.
Invite a class member to summarize the material about William E. McLellin
in the Class Member Study Guide. Express appreciation to those who bring
their scriptures to class, and encourage all class members to do so.
Discussion and Application Questions
What did the Lord counsel William E. McLellin in D&C 66:3-11 ? How can we
better serve if we think less about our own possessions and more about
building the Lord's kingdom? (D&C 66:6.) In what other ways can the Lord's
counsel to William McLellin help us?
* William E. McLellin thought he could write a revelation better than
Joseph Smith did, but he failed in his attempt. (See D&C 67:5-9 and the
Class Member Study Guide for this lesson.) Why do you think the Lord
counsels us not to find fault with our Church leaders? (See the statement
from Joseph Smith in the Class Member Study Guide. ) If we begin to feel
critical of our leaders, how can we overcome this feeling?
How do jealousies and fears damage our spiritual growth? (D&C 67:10.) How
can we strip ourselves of jealousies and fears?
* The Lord has promised that those who are worthy will someday see him and
know that he is. (D&C 67:10-14.) What must we do to be worthy of this great
blessing? (See D&C 88:67-68; 93:1; and the quotation from the Prophet
Joseph Smith.)
* In D&C 68:1-12 the Lord gave instructions about preaching the gospel that
he said can apply to "all the faithful elders of my church." What do you
think the Lord's counsel in D&C 68:2-5 means? (See the first quotation from
President Joseph Fielding Smith.) How can this counsel and the Lord's
promise in verse 6 strengthen us as we share the gospel?
* What are you doing to teach your children the doctrines of faith,
repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost? (D&C 68:25-28.)
* How does being idle contribute to wickedness? (D&C 68:30-31.) What are
some ways that we might idle away our time? How can we use our time more
productively?
* What does it mean to observe our prayers? (D&C 68:33.) How can we better
observe our prayers, both in private and in our families? What does Alma
34:17-27 teach about the season of prayer? How can we make our prayers more
meaningful?
* The Lord has commanded us to be equal in temporal things. (D&C 70:14;
49:20.) What does this mean? (See
D&C 51:3 and the second quotation from President Joseph Fielding Smith.)
How can we help those around us receive the things they need?
Quotations
The Prophet Joseph Smith: "After a person has faith in Christ, repents of
his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the
Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then
let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting
after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will
soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly
proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all
hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure,
then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter [see John
14:12-27].
"Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord
Jesus Christ Himself" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp.150-51).
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "There is only one man in the Church at a
time who has the right to give revelation for the Church, and that is the
President of the Church. But that does not bar any other member in this
Church from speaking the word of the Lord, as indicated here in this
revelation, section 68. But a revelation that is to be given as these
revelations are given in this book, to the Church, will come through the
presiding officer of the Church; yet, the word of the Lord, as spoken by
other servants at the general conferences and stake conferences, or
wherever they may be when they speak that which the Lord has put into their
mouths, is just as much the word of the Lord as the writings and the words
of other prophets in other dispensations" Doctrines of Salvation, 1:1 86.)
President Joseph Fielding Smith: "To be equal did not mean that all should
have the same amount of food, but each should have according to his needs.
For instance, a man would receive in proportion to the number in his
family, not according to the nature of his work. He was to have, 'for food
and for raiment; for an inheritance; for houses and for lands, in
whatsoever circumstances 1, the Lord, shall place them, and whithersoever
1, the Lord, shall send them' [D&C 70:16]" (Church History and Modem
Revelation, 1:268-69).
Additional Idea
Show the meetinghouse library picture of Mary and Caroline Rollins saving
the Book of Commandments (62605). Invite a class member to summarize this
story (see the Class Member Study Guide for this lesson) and testify of the
importance of the scriptures.
Next Week's Reading Assignment Doctrine and Covenants 71-75; 77
 Page 39


Class Member Study Guide
Lesson 20
Doctrine and Covenants 66-70 were given during a series of conferences held
in Ohio between 25 October and 12 November 1831. One of the main issues at
these conferences was the publishing of the revelations received by the
Prophet Joseph Smith. These revelations were to be published as the Book of
Commandments. The revelations that became D&C 1 and 133 were given during
this time. Section 1 was to be the preface, and section 133 was to be the
appendix to the Book of Commandments.
Doctrine and Covenants 66 is a revelation given to William E. McLellin at
the first of these conferences. The Savior warned Brother McLellin to turn
away from his iniquities and promised that if he was faithful he would
receive "a crown of eternal life" (D&C 66:12). A few days later, however,
Brother McLellin found fault with the language of the revelations, feeling
that he could write better revelations than the Prophet. The Lord gave D&C
67 in response.
William E. McLellin took up the challenge given in D&C 67:6 8. The Prophet
recorded that Brother McLellin, "as the wisest man, in his own estimation,
having more learning than sense, endeavored to write a commandment like
unto one of the least of the Lord's, but failed; it was an awful
responsibility to write in the name of the Lord. The Elders and all present
that witnessed this vain attempt of a man to imitate the language of Jesus
Christ, renewed their faith in the fulness of the Gospel, and in the truth
of the commandments and revelations which the Lord had given to the Church"
(History of the Church, 1 :226).
McLellin later apostatized and lost his "crown of eternal life." He was
excommunicated in 1838. A statement
made by the Prophet in 1839 can be applied to him: "That man who rises up
to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out
of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that
man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will
apostatize" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 156-57).
* Why do you think the Lord counsels us not to find fault with our Church
leaders? If we begin to feel critical of our leaders, how can we overcome
this feeling?
Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer were assigned to carry the approximately
seventy revelations to Independence, Missouri (see D&C 69:1-2), where
William W. Phelps could print and publish them. Brother Phelps had the book
almost ready for publication when a mob came into his printing shop on 20
July 1833 and started to destroy the press and type. Some local members
rushed to the shop to try to save the unbound pages.
Two teenage girls were particularly brave. Mary Elizabeth Rollins and her
sister Caroline saw some of the unbound pages lying on the ground outside
the shop. They rushed forward at the peril of their lives, snatched up the
sheets, and fled into a nearby cornfield. Members of the mob chased them
into the field, but the girls hid among the cornstalks and were not
discovered. That evening they carried the pages to Sister Phelps. Later the
girls were presented with a bound volume made from the pages they had=
 rescued.
Many people made sacrifices to prepare the revelations of the Lord for
publication. Do you and your family value these revelations enough to take
time to read and study them?
Saving the Book of Commandments. Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollins
rescued pages of the Book of Commandments from the mob that destroyed W. W.
Phelps's press.
- -----------------------------------------
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner Smith Young, is my GGGrand Aunt.  Her life
story inserted below from the pages of Our Pioneer Heritage, is much like 3
or 4 versions of her life story.  I feel that the Movie Legacy is based for
the most part on Mary Elizabeth=92s Life story as you will see below.  There
were obviously editing changes.  The only Event, other than typical events
such as Marriage or Dating, that comes from another Journal, as far as I
have been able to determine.  That would be the healing of the ox, which
referred to Mary Fielding=92s Journal, I believe.

Enjoy a more realistic and more heroic life story.=20

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 14, p.102
Minersville. The Relief Society of the Minersville Ward was organized April
15, 1869, with Malinda Lewis as president and Harriet Bradshaw as
secretary. A reorganization took place at a meeting in Minersville, April
5, 1870, at which time Mary E. Lightner was accepted as president of the
Society. She was ordained by Bishop McKnight, William Wood and James H.
Rollins, as were her counselors, Dionitia Lyman and Mary Stoddard. Phebe J.
Bingham, secretary, and Elizabeth Gilbert, Elizabeth Corbridge and Malinda
Lewis were chosen and ordained as mothers in Israel, and Lydia Blackburn
was appointed as president of the teachers or visiting committee.

- ----------------
Mary Lightner, Autobiography,
Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine (1926)

Source: Mary Lightner, "Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner,"
The Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine 17 (July 1926):193-205, 250-

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARY E. LIGHTNER

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.193

I was born in the town of Lima, Livingston County, state of New York, April
9, 1818. My father, John D. Rollins, came from one of the New England
States; I think it was Vermont. My mother, Keziah Keturah Van Benthuysen,
was born in Albany, state of New York, May 16, 1796. She married my father
in 1814 or 1815. Three children were the fruit of this marriage, James
Henry, myself and sister Caroline, the youngest. When Caroline was six
months old, my father was shipwrecked on Lake Ontario during a terrible
storm. Only one person was saved out of all the passengers and crew.

When I was ten years old, we moved to Kirtland, Ohio, and lived in a house
belonging to Algernon Sidney Gilbert, mother's sister's husband. We
remained there two years, when we heard of the plates of the Book of
Mormon, being found by Joseph Smith. Soon the news was confirmed by the
appearance of Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer, and Ziba Peterson, with the
glorious news of the restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph
Smith. They bore a powerful testimony, by the Holy Spirit, of the truth of
the great work they were engaged in; and which they were commissioned by
the Father to present to all the world.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.193 - p.194

Quite a number of the residents of Kirtland accepted baptism. Mother and
myself also, in the month of October, 1830. A branch of the Church was
organized, and Father Morley was ordained an elder to preside over it. He
owned a large farm, about a mile from Kirtland, and some three or four
families went there to live, and meetings were held there. A good spirit
and one of union prevailed among the brethren for some time. After Oliver
Cowdery and his brethren left there for Missouri on their mission to the
Lamanites, a wrong spirit crept into our midst, and a few were led away by
it. About this time, John Whitmer came and brought a Book of Mormon. There
was a meeting that evening, and we learned that Brother Morley had the Book
in his possession the only one in that part of the country. I went to his
house just before the meeting was to commence, and asked to see the book;
Brother Morley put it in my hand, as I looked at it, I felt such a desire
to read it, that I could not refrain from asking him to let me take it home
and read it, while he attended meeting. He said it would be too late for me
to take it back after meeting, and another thing, he had hardly had time to
read a chapter in it himself, and but few of the brethren had even seen it,
but I pled so earnestly for it, he finally said, "Child, if you will bring
this book home before breakfast tomorrow morning, you may take it." He
admonished me to be very careful, and see that no harm came to it.

If any person in this world was ever perfectly happy in the possession of
any coveted treasure I was when I had permission to read that wonderful
book. Uncle and Aunt were Methodists, so when I got into the house, I
exclaimed, "Oh, Uncle, I have got the 'Golden Bible'." Well, there was
consternation in the house for a few moments, and I was severely
reprimanded for being so presumptuous as to ask such a favor, when Brother
Morley had not read it himself. However, we all took turns reading it until
very late in the night as soon as it was light enough to see, I was up and
learned the first verse in the book. When I reached Brother Morley's they
had been up for only a little while. When I handed him the book, he
remarked, "I guess you did not read much in it." I showed him how far we
had read. He was surprised and said, "I don't believe you can tell me one
word of it." I then repeated the first verse, also the outlines of the
history of Nephi. He gazed at me in surprise, and said, "child, take this
book home and finish it, I can wait."

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.194 - p.195

Before or about the time I finished the last chapter, the Prophet Joseph
Smith arrived in Kirtland, and moved into a part of Newel K. Whitney's
house (Uncle Algernon's partner in the Mercantile Business), while waiting
for his goods to be put in order. Brother Whitney brought the Prophet
Joseph to our house and introduced him to the older ones of the family (I
was not in at the time.) In looking around he saw the Book of Mormon on the
shelf, and asked how that book came to be there. He said, "I sent that book
to Brother Morley." Uncle told him how his niece had obtained it. He asked,
"Where is your niece?" I was sent for; when he saw me he looked at me so
earnestly, I felt almost afraid. After a moment or two he came and put his
hands on my head and gave me a great blessing, the first I ever received,
and made me a present of the book, and said he would give Brother Morley
another. He came in time to rebuke the evil spirits, and set the church in
order. We all felt that he was a man of God, for he spoke with power, and
as one having authority in very deed.

In the fall of 1831, in company with Bishop Partridge, Father Morley, W. W.
Phelps, Cyrus Daniels and their families, mother and myself, my brother
Henry and sister Caroline, under the guardianship of Algernon S. Gilbert,
left Kirtland for Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. Soon, quite a
number of the Saints settled in Independence. Uncle Gilbert opened a store
of dry goods, and groceries; while his partner, Newel K. Whitney, kept one
in Kirtland, where they had one for several years before the Gospel came to
them.

A two story printing office was also erected; altogether the Saints were in
a prosperous condition, both temporally and spiritually. Oliver Cowdery,
John Whitmer and Thomas B. Marsh often spoke in tongues in addressing the
people on the Sabbath day, and I wanted to understand what they said; so I
made it a subject of prayer, that the Lord would give me to understand what
was the meaning of their words; for they seemed to speak with great power.
One evening the brethren came to Uncle's house to converse upon the
revelations that had not been printed as yet, but few had looked upon them,
for they were in large sheets, not folded. They spoke of them with such
reverence, as coming from the Lord; they felt to rejoice that they were
counted worthy to be the means of publishing them for the benefit of the
whole world. While talking they were filled with the spirit and spoke in
tongues. I was called upon to interpret it. I felt the spirit of it in a
moment.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.195 - p.196

Terrible were the threats against our people, we were too much united to
suit the inhabitants of Missouri, and they did not believe in our religion,
or our way of doing business; then we did not believe in slavery, and they
feared us on that account, though we were counseled to have nothing to say
to the slaves whatever, but to mind our own business. Soon a mob began to
collect in the town and set fire to the grain, and hay stacks in the yard
of Bishop Partridge. All were destroyed. Then they began to stone the
houses, breaking the doors and windows. One night, a great many got
together and stoned our house, part of which was hewed logs, the front was
brick. After breaking all the windows, they commenced to tear off the roof
of the brick part amidst awful oaths and howls that were terrible to hear;
all of a sudden they left and all was quiet. Soon after, I saw Bishop
Partridge tarred and feathered, also Brother Charles Allen.

From that time our troubles commenced in earnest. But just before these
troubles began, I went to work for Peter Whitmer, who was a tailor by
trade, and just married. He was crowded with work, and Lilburn W. Boggs
offered him a room in his house, as he had just been elected lieutenant
governor, and wanted Peter to make him a suit for his inauguration
ceremonies. Peter did make them, and I stitched the collars and faced the
coat. Mr. Boggs often came in to note the progress of the work. As I was
considered a good seamstress, he hired me to make his fine, ruffled bosom
shirts, also to assist his wife in her sewing. I worked for them some
weeks; during that time, they tried to induce me to leave the Church and
live with them; they would educate me, and do for me as if I were their
daughter. As they had but one little girl about two years old, and two
sons, the eldest near my own age, nearly 14 years old, but their
persuasions were of no avail with me.

The mob renewed their efforts again by tearing down the printing office, a
two story building, and driving Brother Phelps' family out of the lower
part of the house and putting their things in the street. They brought out
some large sheets of paper, and said, "Here are the Mormon Commandments."
My sister Caroline and myself were in a corner of a fence watching them;
when they spoke of the commandments I was determined to have some of them.
Sister said if I went to get any of them she would go too, but said "They
will kill us." While their backs were turned, prying out the gable end of
the house, we went, and got our arms full, and were turning away, when some
of the mob saw us and called on us to stop, but we ran as fast as we could.
Two of them started after us. Seeing a gap in a fence, we entered into a
large cornfield, laid the papers on the ground, and hid them with our
persons. The corn was from five to six feet high, and very thick; they
hunted around considerable, and came very near us but did not find us.
After we satisfied ourselves that they had given up the search for us, we
tried to find our way out of the field, the corn was so high we could not
see where to go, looking up I saw trees that had been girdled to kill them.
Soon we came to an old log stable which looked as though it had not been
used for years. Sister Phelps and children were carrying in brush and
piling it up at one side of the barn to lay her beds on. She asked me what
I had. I told her. She then took them from us, which made us feel very bad.
They got them bound in small books and sent me one, which I prized very
highly.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.196 - p.197

I saw the first hay and grain stacks on fire, in Bishop Partridge's lot,
and other property destroyed. Uncle Gilbert's store was broken open, and
some of the goods strewn on the public square; then the few families living
in town went to the temple block, where the bishop and his first counselor,
John Corrill, lived, for mutual protection; while the brethren were hiding
in the woods, their food being carried to them in the night. Some of our
brethren were tied to trees and whipped until the blood ran down their
bodies. After enduring all manner of grievances we were driven from the
county. While we were camped on the banks of the Missouri River waiting to
be ferried over, they found there was not money enough to take all over.
One or two families must be left behind, and the fear was that if left,
they would be killed. So, some of the brethren by the name of Higbee
thought they would try and catch some fish, perhaps the ferryman would take
them, they put out their lines in the evening; it rained all night and most
of the next day, when they took in their lines they found two or three
small fish, and a catfish that weighed 14 pounds. On opening it, what was
their astonishment to find three bright silver half dollars, just the
amount needed to pay for taking their team over the river. This was
considered a miracle, and caused great rejoicing among us. At length we
settled in Clay County, where my mother married Mr. John M. Burt, a widower
with two children, his wife having died with cholera at St. Louis in 1831.
I stayed with Uncle Gilbert most of the time until Zion's Camp came up in
1834.

Many of the brethren stopped with us, including the Prophet Joseph, his
brothers, Hyrum and William; and Jesse Smith, their cousin, also Luke and
Lyman E. Johnson. When the cholera broke out among the camp, Uncle Gilbert,
(who was preparing to go on a mission) was among the first to die, then
Jesse Smith. There were five who died at Uncle's, and nine at a neighbor's
by the name of Burgett, this was in the month of June. The dead were rolled
in blankets and consigned to the grave, as the people were so frightened
they would do nothing for us, and our brethren were bowed down with sorrow
for the loss of their friends, and almost despaired of seeing an end of the
plague. But the Lord saw fit to heal the most of those who had come up in
the camp, and there were not many deaths after the Prophet Joseph had
administered to them. Uncle died on the 29th of June, 1834; shortly after,
the camp left for their homes in Kirtland.

I commenced teaching a few children in spelling, reading and writing. I did
not understand much about grammar, I had commenced its study with Sabrina
Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer, and two or three others, in Jackson
County, but was stopped by the mob, but I was well versed in geography. I
continued teaching for two years, and met with good success. In 1835 on the
eleventh of August, I was married to Mr. Adam Lightner of Liberty, Clay
County, Mo.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.198

Shortly after this, our people moved to Far West, Caldwell County, and soon
had a flourishing town, and a settlement all around of farms, etc. The
brethren persuaded Mr. Lightner to go there and keep a store for their
accommodation, as the Church was not able; for the most of them had been
stripped of all they had. He concluded to go and build a log house for his
store, and leave me in Liberty until it was completed. We soon left for Far
West, my husband furnishing the supplies for the brethren until they could
harvest their crops. It was customary among the Missourians to credit the
farmers a year. Mr. Lightner followed the rule, for he knew they could not
pay until they could earn the money.

In the meantime, on the 18th of June, 1836, a son was born to us, we named
him Miles Henry. In the latter part of 1837 we moved to Milford, a small
town about ten miles distant from Far West, to start a branch of the store
in that place for my brother, James H. Rollins, to take charge of. Soon
rumors of trouble began to circulate among the people in the outer
settlements and we deemed it prudent to go back to Far West. Accordingly,
we left the store in the care of Mr. Slade, and most of our housekeeping
articles, expecting to send for them in a few days, which we were not able
to do for two or three weeks, then we found all of our provisions gone, our
carpets ruined, etc. Then the mob gathered in great numbers, threatening
our people, driving off stock, and committing other depredations too
numerous to mention. When our grievances became almost unbearable, the
brethren determined to try and defend themselves. As there was but little
powder in the place, they decided, as Mr. Lightner was not a Mormon, to
send him to Liberty for a keg of powder; Homer Duncan accompanied him. They
got the powder, and brought 20 yards of carpet, rolled the keg in it, put
it in a barrel and filled the barrel with beans; on returning their wagon
was twice searched by ten men, who thrust their bayonets into the barrel,
but did not touch the powder. If they had found it two men would have been
killed. Both knew their lives hung on a thread as it were, and looked for
death every moment. But the Lord willed otherwise, and they arrived home
safely to the joy of the brethren.

After a while, teams were sent out into the settlements to collect all the
provisions they could. A number of teams went; two men were appointed to
take their guns and guard each wagon. Mr. Lightner and George A. Smith were
guards for one wagon. Plenty of provisions were brought in, and taken to
Sidney Rigdon's, and other places. But our people were soon to hear the
heart-rending news of a battle between our brethren and the mob at Crooked
River, in which Brothers David W. Patten, Patrick O'Banion and Gideon
Carter were killed.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.198 - p.199

It was about this time that seventeen men and boys were massacred by a mob
at Hauns' Mill, and their bodies buried in a well. This news was
heart-rending, for all felt to mourn for the loss of the slain. Oh, what a
time that was! For in the midst of sorrow, news came that the militia
(besides the hundreds of the mob), were marching to destroy our city and
its inhabitants. A part of the bloodthirsty mob camped near the city and
placed a cannon in the middle of the road, intending to blow up the place.
Then they sent in a flag of truce, demanding an interview with John
Cleminson and wife, and Adam Lightner and wife. We went a short distance to
meet them. We saw a number of the brethren standing around the place of
meeting, well armed. As we approached, General Clark shook hands with the
two men, being old acquaintances, and remarked that Governor Boggs had
given him an order for our safe removal before they destroyed the place. I
asked my sister-in-law what we should do about it. She replied, "We will do
as you say; I was surprised at her answer, as she was the mother of four or
five children, and I had but one. So I asked the General if he would let
all the Mormon women and children go out? He said, "No." "Will you let my
mother's family go out?" He said, "The Governor's orders were that no one
but our two families should go but all were to be destroyed." "Then, if
that is the case, I refuse to go, for where they die, I will die, for I am
a full blooded Mormon, and I am not ashamed to own it." "Oh," said he, "you
are infatuated, your Prophet will be killed with the rest." Said I, "If you
kill him today, God will raise up another tomorrow." "But think of your
husband and child." I then said that he could go, and take the child with
him, if he wanted to, but I would suffer with the rest.

Just then a man kneeling down by some brush, jumped up and stepping between
the General and myself, said, "Hold on, General," then turned to me and
said, "Sister Lightner, God Almighty bless you, I thank my God for one soul
that is ready to die for her religion; not a hair of your head shall be
harmed, for I will wade to my knees in blood in your behalf." "So will I,"
said Brother Hyrum Smith, and others. The first speaker was Brother Heber
C. Kimball, with whom I was not acquainted at the time. Then the General
pleaded with my husband, but it was of no avail.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.199 - p.200

The next morning the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were given into the
hands of the mob militia. A few days after, my husband's brother came from
Lexington for us to go to his home, forty miles distant. As we found our
people were not to be massacred, we concluded to go with him for a time.
Accordingly, Cleminson's family and ourselves took a change of clothes and
were ready to go, when we found a posse was hunting for my brother Henry
(who had not been married long). So we got him in the back end of the
wagon, and covered him with a feather bed, his wife sitting beside him to
uncover him for air when no one of the mob was by. We passed through troops
of five hundred men, one half on the right of the wagon and the other on
the left. They did not molest us, as we feared they would. We had a negro
driver, and Mr. Lightner's brother, who was well known, walked beside the
team. I do not know what would have been my brother's fate had they seen
him. We soon left Far West behind and reached Lexington in safety, though
we had a hard time in crossing the Missouri River at that place, large
cakes of ice would almost upset the boat, and we were in great danger of
drowning. The ferryman said that he never came so near going to the bottom
before. The officers found where we were, and came and took Henry and put
him in Richmond jail, with Joseph, Hyrum and other brethren; where they
were treated like brutes, and threatened to be shot every day or two. What
their sufferings were was only known to God and themselves. But General
Doniphan was disposed to favor the brethren as much as he possibly could.

About this time we decided to go to Louisville, Kentucky. We rode day and
night until we reached there. We took a change of clothes for myself and
babe, a shirt for Mr. Lightner, (we had left our goods in Far West) took a
quilt for a wrap, and that was all we had. We expected to find an uncle of
my husband's there, with whom we could stay for awhile, as we had but
little means; but in this we were disappointed, for he had moved to
Pennsylvania. We rented a house of four small rooms for six months, and
gave a gold watch that cost two hundred dollars in New York City for the
rent. We bought a second hand bed and bedstead and two chairs, a kettle and
skillet, 3 or 4 plates and cups, and commenced housekeeping.

Our money soon gave out and no work could be got that Mr. Lightner could
do, as he was a cabinet maker by trade. What to do we did not know. Then I
went from shop to shop to get work, many refused because I had no
recommendation. At last I told a kind looking man that we were strangers
and were destitute. He said he would give me two fine shirts to make, and
if they suited, he would give me all the work that I could do. I finished
them and carried them home; he was delighted with them and did up a lot
more for me to take home. I asked him if he would pay me for what I had
done. He offered me 30 cents for the two shirts. He said that was all he
paid other women, and though my work was better, yet he could give no more.
A dollar was the common price for a fine shirt, and to get only fifteen
cents for one; I thought it was hard. I told him that I could do no more at
that price, and left him. I spent the money for some cornmeal and molasses.
We lived on that for days. I then painted some pictures of flowers, and as
good luck was on my side, I sold them for just enough to live on for awhile.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.200 - p.201

One day Mr. Lightner was down at the wharf and met Francis Higbee, who told
him that our people were in Illinois at a place called Commerce, and that
my brother Henry was in Alton, Illinois; so we sold what little we had and
started for St. Louis with just enough money to take us there, hoping to
get work of some kind so we could live. Our boat proved to be an old affair
and we had to stop for repair nearly every day, sometimes for hours at a
time. I improved the time in giving painting lessons to a lady on board, to
the amount of six dollars, which paid our passage to Alton. We met a member
of the Church there whom we had befriended in Far West; he was keeping a
boarding house but had a good many empty rooms. We asked permission to
leave our trunk with him over night, which he readily gave. We then walked
a mile, up hill all the way, and found Henry and wife living in a small
house with two other families.

Oh, how glad we were to meet with friends once more, and get a square meal
of victuals with wheat bread, for we had lived so long on corn meal that
both husband and child were ill. Next day we went for the trunk; the man
charged us our last half dollar for letting the trunk stay in an empty room
over night. We did not know what to do; our boy was very sick and we almost
gave up hope that he would recover, for neither we nor either of the other
families had a cent to procure medicine with. Finally, a doctor's wife,
hearing of our distress, kindly gave us medicine that checked the disease,
for which she would take no pay.

As soon as my husband was able to be around so as to take care of our boy,
I went from house to house and procured a number of scholars for lessons in
painting. We went to board with a private family at four dollars a week for
both of us. I continued teaching until I had sixty dollars, besides paying
board. I felt quite rich. Although in poor health, yet I traveled through
the hot sun to different houses, some a good distance from others, to get
means to go to Montrose, where I might find my mother, for I was near to be
confined the second time. So we took deck passage to Montrose (which was
opposite Nauvoo, across the Mississippi River) and found Mr. Burt had moved
ten miles from there, onto what was called the half breed tract. We hired a
team and went there, we found them living in a small log hut, only one room
in it. We were joyfully received, and on October 18th, my daughter Caroline
Keziah was born. When she was three weeks old we moved to Farmington, ten
miles from the half breed tract, situated on the Des Moines River. Mother
lent us a bed, knives and forks, gave us a few quarts of flour (for she had
but little herself) and some other necessities, while an Irishman gave us a
bushel of potatoes and some squash.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.201 - p.202

We commenced housekeeping in two rooms, one Mr. Lightner used for a shop,
as there was no one there that could make furniture. The people gladly let
him have all the tools and lumber he wanted, and would take his work for
pay. We did well for nearly two years. I obtained work from a tailor and
earned all my clothes, and the children, for we were anxious to save enough
to get a home of our own, which we did by building a frame house composing
one large room, which we expected to add to as we were able.

In the meantime he bought a great deal of choice lumber to season for
bureaus, tables, etc. Finding our house not in a healthy part of the place,
we sold it for two hundred dollars cash, and as he wanted mahogany and some
other things that he could not get at home, he went to Montrose for them.
He had been there but a short time when a steamboat came in and brought the
report that the bank where our money was deposited had failed and we only
got twenty-five dollars for our hundred. We were about discouraged, but
this was not all, for on looking out one morning, he found his kiln, in
which he was seasoning his lumber, on fire. Not a plank was saved. What to
do to pay our debts and live, with winter coming on, we did not know.

While in this dilemma, Mr. Burt, my step-father, came over from Nauvoo to
visit us, he saw our situation and offered us a home with him until we
could do better. It seemed a "God-send" to us, and we gladly hailed the
opportunity. So in January, we, Mr. Burt, myself and two children, crossed
the Mississippi River on the ice. It was late in the evening and he did not
dare to take his team. So we walked across the river and up the hill near
the Temple where he lived. Next morning the ice was all broken up, and it
was days before he could get his team across. On the 23rd of March I was
confined with my third child, we called him George Algernon. Mr. Lightner
had settled up his business in Farmington, paid his debts by giving up all
his tools, etc., which left us poor indeed, but as some of the brethren
owed us nearly two thousand dollars, we thought we could get some of it to
help us, but those that owed us the most, took the benefit of the bankrupt
law and refused to pay us. One man offered to let us have a barrel of pork
and a coffee pot, if we would give him back his note of five hundred
dollars, which we held. We did this and was very thankful for it; but not
for long, for when we opened the barrel we found the meat sour and full of
weevils.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.202 - p.203

My husband could get no work, and I commenced teaching painting to Julia
Murdock Smith, to Steven Mark's daughter; and to Sarah Ann Whitney. I also
procured a lot a block below the Prophet Joseph Smith's mansion; but as we
could get no more work in Nauvoo. Mr. Lightner found a job cutting cord
wood, 15 miles up the river, at a place called Pontusuc. He got a little
log room with a floor made of logs split in two, and very rough. The
Prophet Joseph, on learning that we were going to leave there, felt very
sad, and while the tears ran down his cheeks, he prophesied that if we
attempted to leave the Church we would have plenty of sorrow; for we would
make property on the right hand and lose it on the left, we would have
sickness on sickness, and lose our children, and that I would have to work
harder than I ever dreamed of; and, "At last when you are worn out, and
almost ready to die, you will get back to the Church." I thought these were
hard sayings and felt to doubt them. But the sequel proved them true.
Before leaving Nauvoo on the 4th of July there was a general parade of the
Legion; about noon Emma came to me to borrow my dining table, as the
officers were to dine with her, and the Prophet Joseph came also, he said
the Lord commanded him to baptize us that day. Emma asked, "Why is this?
They have always been good members in the Church, and another thing, dinner
will be ready soon and you certainly won't go in those clothes?" "No," he
told us, and he wanted us to be ready by the time he was, for he would not
wait for dinner; as we lived on the bank of the river, we were soon ready.
Brother Henry and wife, Aunt Gilbert and myself were baptized and
confirmed. The Prophet Joseph tried hard to get Mr. Lightner to go into the
water, but he said he did not feel worthy, but would, some other time.
Joseph said to me that he never would be baptized, unless it was a few
moments before he died.

It was with sorrowful feeling that I went to Pontusuc to live, but by my
taking in sewing we made out to live, and that was all. A lady called on me
and asked me if we had a cow. I said, "No." She said if I would let her
have my bedstead she would give me a cow and two pigs. I gladly accepted
her offer, and slept on the floor until we could nail up a substitute. In a
short time George was taken sick and died. I was alone with him at the
time; my husband had gone to a neighbor's for assistance. An old lady
helped me dress him, and Mr. Lightner had to make the coffin, as he was the
only carpenter in the place. The two men that dug the grave, and a little
girl, were all that went to help bury my darling. I felt that the Prophet's
words were beginning to be fulfilled.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.203 - p.204

We then moved to a more commodious house. In 1843, my third son, Florentine
Matthias was born. When he was two months old, I commenced teaching a few
children in spelling and reading. I had not taught long before I took a
severe cold that caused inflammation of the bowels. I was so low that my
life was despaired of by two physicians. Mother was sent for. She brought
some consecrated oil with which I was anointed. I felt better, and
persuaded her to fix quilts in a chair and let me try to sit up to have the
bed made, for it had not been made for over two weeks, but she was afraid
to try it, as the doctor said I could not live three days, but I pleaded so
hard they granted my request; by fixing quilts and pillow in a large
rocking chair, tipped back as nearly like a bed as they could; then lifting
me in a sheet, I was placed on it. Mother was so afraid it would make me
worse she put on my stockings and slippers and wrapped me up in quilts
while she made my bed more comfortable. I was in the second story of the
house, in a large room; there were two more rooms on the same floor, and a
hall. While lying there a heavy storm came up and our house was struck by
lightning, and all of us badly shocked; the door casing was torn out and
struck mother on the shoulder and bruised her terribly. All were senseless
for some time. There were seven of us in the family at the time. I was the
first to come to my senses, and I found myself across the foot of the bed,
my head on one side of the foot post of the bed and limbs on the other. As
I looked around and saw the family on the floor, I thought they were all
dead. I called for Mr. Lightner, who had gone into the next room; not
getting any answer, I arose and went through the hall, to find him on the
floor as rigid as a corpse. The window in the hall had been torn out and
the water was pouring in, in torrents. I took a small bucket and would dip
up the water and pour it over him as fast as I could, but it did not do him
any good.

Soon the doctor and two or three of the neighbors came in. They had seen
the lightning strike the house and as they could see no one moving, they
concluded that we were all killed, but when they saw me they were
frightened. The doctor got a quilt and wrapped it around me and carried me
to a neighbor's. This was about 4 o'clock, June 6th, and it was nine at
night before they could bring Mr. Lightner to the use of his limbs. He said
he suffered more in being treated to live than he would in dying, but I who
had been turned over in bed for two weeks by the sheets (for I was so
swollen and inflamed in my bowels, I could not bear to have them handle me)
was entirely cured, and dressed myself and went about my duties. However,
for two years, when a storm came up, I was very sick while it lasted.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.204 - p.205

Our house was torn to pieces, the lightning had run from the roof to the
ground in seven different places. People came from a distance to see it,
and wondered that we were all not killed. A few days after this, I went out
to milk my cow; when about half done, she stepped over the bucket and fell
down dead. This was a great trial to us, for my long sickness had used up
our means. We were obliged to leave the house and move into one close by.
All of us came down with the chills and fever; there was not one to do
anything but Mr. Lightner, and he had to do all the cooking and looking
after the rest of us. My case proved to be biliousness, with a fever, in a
bad form. I was again given up to die. We got a little girl to stay a day,
then Mr. Lightner took the baby on a pillow and rode horseback to Nauvoo
for mother to take care of it. I never expected to see it again, the
thoughts of leaving my little children in the condition we were in, seemed
more than I could bear. I thought of all that the Prophet Joseph had told
me, and felt in my heart that it was all true. I prayed for help to get
well, but the doctor coming in, said there was no hope for me. But I
dreamed that an angel came to me and said if I would go to Nauvoo and call
for a Brother Cutler, that worked on the temple, to administer to me, I
should be healed. But we could get no team to go. I was in despair;
however, my brother was impressed to send for me, he felt that something
was wrong, so he sent a boy with an ox team after me. I was so glad, that
for a few moments I felt new life. But the people said I would not get a
mile from town when he would have to bring back my dead body. But I said I
wanted to be buried in Nauvoo, and pleaded with them to take me there, dead
or alive.

 So after fixing a bed in the wagon, they placed me on it; the neighbors
bid me goodbye as they supposed for the last time (they were not of our
faith). We went a mile and stopped the team; they thought me dying, all the
children were crying. I had my senses and motioned for them to go on. We
went a few miles further, stopped at a house and asked to stay all night.
The woman was willing until she saw me. She said I would die before
morning, and she did not want me to die in her house. Mr. Lightner told her
that I would certainly die if I was left in the open wagon all night. She
finally let us in. She made us as comfortable as she could and fixed me
some light food; after drinking some tea, I felt better and had a good
night's rest; but she was glad when we left, for she thought I would never
see Nauvoo. After traveling a few miles further, we finally reached Nauvoo.
They still thought me dying. Mr. Lightner asked Brother Burt if there was
an old man by the name of Cutler working on the temple. He said "Yes." Mr.
Lightner told him my dream; soon they brought him, he administered to me
and I got up and walked to the fire, alone. In two weeks I was able to take
care of my children.

But just previous to this last sickness, the Prophet Joseph and his brother
Hyrum, were taken to Carthage jail and men around Pontusuc formed a company
to go to Carthage; they said to protect the Smiths, but I thought
otherwise; also to go against Nauvoo if demanded. I was called to make a
flag for this company; I refused, for I felt so low spirited I could hardly
keep from weeping all day. I could not account for these awful feelings.
But there was no one that knew how to make the flag but me, and I was
compelled to make it or suffer the consequence, for I was the only Mormon
in the place. In the afternoon of this same day this company started for
Carthage.

The mob of men from Pontusuc, who had compelled me to make a flag, and who
were bent upon the destruction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as was already
referred to in the last entry of my journal, returned in the night. As soon
as we were up in the morning eight or ten men came to the door and called
us to come to the door; when we came, they told us that the Smiths were
killed. They said that if we attempted to go to the funeral we should be
shot; I said, "You can shoot me here if you want to," but an old man spoke
up and said that if I stayed home I should not be hurt, unless the Mormons
came against them; then I would be the first one to be killed; and Mr.
Lightner, too, unless he joined their side. We were obliged to remain three
months; when they thought I would not live to get there they let us go. But
when Mr. Lightner went back for our things he had to give the most of them
to pay rent and doctor bills, even some of my clothes were taken for debts.
In fact, we were robbed of many things. But I felt thankful to be away from
there with my life.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.250

Soon after I got well, the temple was ready for giving endowments. When
spring opened, we went aboard the "War Eagle" bound for Galena; but before
we started, Brigham Young sent word back from Winter Quarters for me to
come on and the Lord would bless me. I was destitute of clothes for myself
and children, and not a dollar to call my own, how could I go? And to add
to my distress, I was watched night and day. Someone had betrayed me. After
reaching Galena we did make out to get work and thought we should do pretty
well, vain hope. The last week in June, 1847, I was washing and got a
needle in my wrist, close to the pulse which broke off, leaving half of it
in my wrist. My hand was drawn up to my breast and the pain was
excruciating. I went to four different doctors, but could get no help,
neither could I sleep, only when I was perfectly exhausted, and then only
for a moment or two. It was September before I could sew on anything.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.250 - p.251

On the ninth of February I had a son born; we named him John Horace
Gilbert. In about six weeks I was able to take in sewing for a tailor; I
made forty pairs of pants at forty to fifty cents a pair, for which I
received pay out of a store, no money. As Mr. Lightner could get no work,
it seemed impossible for us to live and pay rent. At length a Mr. Houghton,
editor of the Galena Gazette, learned of our circumstances and offered us
fifty dollars a month, and our passage free, if we would go to St. Croix
Falls and oversee a hotel in which he was interested. We gladly availed
ourselves of this offer, considering it a blessing from God.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.251

We found a man in charge, who was a good cook. We engaged him to remain
with us. We had about fifty boarders. We did well the first month, but
during the next month, Mr. Lightner was taken sick with brain fever, and my
babe with chills and fever. I had my hands full for two weeks. I never
undressed. I was on my feet all day and most of the night. When Mr.
Lightner got so he could sit up a few moments, I began to hope our troubles
were over, but vain were my hopes, for my feet began to swell, and turned
purple. I could not put them to the floor. The doctors said one of them was
mortified, and I must have it amputated or lose my life. I thought of the
Prophet Joseph's prophesies, when he said if I went away from the Saints I
would suffer great tribulation and lose my children, and would make
property on the right hand, and lose it on the left; and when I got very
poor, and almost worn out, I should go back to the Church. I prayed
earnestly for the Lord to spare me my limb, and in answer to my prayer
another physician said he thought he could save it if I would let him try.
After some days working over it, the pain ceased and the swelling gradually
subsided, until I could walk on it once more. Oh, how thankful I felt to my
Heavenly Father that my foot was saved and I could work for the maintenance
of my family, (for Mr. Lightner was still in poor health and the house
needed a mistress). As soon as we gained strength we moved into a more
convenient house.

In the meantime, Aunt Gilbert came up from Nauvoo to live with us, and she
proved a great help to us, for we were away from all our family relations.
No one of our faith was near us, with whom we could converse on
"Mormonism." We were getting along nicely and were prospering in worldly
affairs, for all of our provisions were furnished us by the company, and we
could save our salary for future use.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.251 - p.252

But on the twentieth day of September, at twelve o'clock, day time, a
stranger, purporting to be a physician from Quincy, Illinois, came to the
house and wanted to sell us medicine. He had a root, he said, which would
cure any kind of a cold, bleeding at the lungs, and liver complaint. We did
not want to buy any, but he gave us a piece of root for Aunt, as she had
the liver complaint, he ate some of it (or pretended to) and said it would
do us all good. So Mr. Lightner, Aunt and myself tasted it, and gave a
little to two of my sons who came in at that moment, and tasted it also. In
a few moments we were all taken violently ill; at three o'clock my two
boys, (one ten years and six months, the other three years and six months
old) were dead. We thought Aunt was also dead; all three were laid out and
covered with a sheet. While Mr. Lightner and myself were not expected to
live from one moment to another. Two physicians were in attendance, and
gave us no hope that we should recover, and it really seemed as though
their predictions would come true. But about nine o'clock in the evening
Aunt came to life, but had convulsions for two weeks. It took two or three
men to hold her while the convulsions lasted. The doctors were surprised at
her condition, for they and ten men had pronounced her dead five hours
before she came to life again. In the meantime, Mr. Lightner and myself
were getting some better. So the whole town turned out to see justice done
to the man who gave us the poison.

They put a rope around his neck, and raised the window at the front of my
bed for me to see them hang him. He was an elderly man, with a pleasing
countenance, but when they wanted me to look my last on him I begged them
to desist from their purpose and try him by due course of law. Nothing but
my deep sorrow and the fear that I, too, would soon join my children in the
spirit land, caused them to desist from their purpose for the time being,
so they confined him in a building they thought secure. But he had a friend
in the place who assisted him to escape in the night. There was a light
fall of snow and they traced him for two or three days without finding him.

The next spring, a gentleman named Leach opened an office for land entry,
the first of the kind in that part of the country, at our house. He had
learned of our trouble, and being a resident of the state of Illinois and
having business in Quincy, he discovered that the quack doctor was in
Quincy, in a hospital, in a very bad condition. Both of his feet were
frozen till the flesh dropped off from the bones. He told Mr. Leach that he
got lost in the woods after making his escape from jail, and would have
died if some friendly Indians had not found him and taken care of him until
spring; then he was taken aboard the first boat that went down the river in
the spring, where he reached his home, to be a sufferer all his days. Mr.
Leach said the man had escaped the vengeance of man, but had not escaped
the vengeance of God.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.252 - p.253

The next fall we moved forty miles down the river to Stillwater, a town
situated on the bank of Lake St. Croix. We resided there until the next
spring, when we moved to Willow River on the Wisconsin side of the lake. On
the 3rd of April my daughter Elizabeth was born. The snow was two feet deep
on the level. An Indian woman attended me. As soon as I was able to travel,
my husband bought a small farm of sixty-five acres, opposite Stillwater;
part of it was heavy timber, the rest under cultivation. We built a four
room house, and as it was not finished, and our resources about gone, we
concluded to move; but in the meantime, Mr. Lightner bought a horse and
cow. In a week the horse was found dead in the stable. We hired a man to
drive the cow for us about seven miles. He drove her so fast that she died
the next morning. It seemed as though everything worked against us. And as
winter was coming, we concluded to accept an offer we had of keeping a
three story hotel for three hundred dollars a year, and everything
furnished. We were glad to get into a warm house, for the winters were
severe in that country. The work was very hard on us, but the last of March
we went back to our home, and on the 9th of April, (my own birthday) my
daughter Mary was born.

We stayed at home that season, then went to Willow River and kept a
boarding house for a Mr. Mears two years. Then I was called to get to
Farmington, Iowa, to attend the death bed of my only sister. My baby boy
was only four weeks old, and my health very poor. I went by steamboat to
Keokuk, and from there by stage. I stayed five weeks, when she left me for
a better state of existence. She left four children; two boys and two
girls. She died strong in the faith of "Mormonism," so called; for that, I
was truly thankful. I returned home, taking the oldest girl with me, and
left the others with friends till I could send for them, as I was not able
to care for them at that time.

The next year we moved to Marine, on the Minnesota side of the lake, and
rented a hotel at five hundred dollars a year. After a few years we
purchased a two story house and large lot. Then we built a five story
hotel, for business was increasing at such a rate that the house we were in
would not accommodate the traveling public. Besides, we had nearly forty
regular boarders. Of course, we went in debt a thousand dollars to get it
completed and furnished for occupancy. We were doing well and would soon
have been out of debt; in the meantime we had mortgaged the whole of the
property for the thousand dollars, expecting we could pay it in a few
months at least. However, the war of 1861 came on and we began to lose our
boarders by enlistment, and through that, we failed to pay the mortgage
when due; and after awhile, we lost the whole of our property, which we had
labored to obtain by many years of self denial and hard work.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.253 - p.254

We finally decided to leave a place where misfortune had followed us on
every hand. We went to Hannibal, Missouri, and stayed a year; waiting for
letters of information from my brother, who had gone to Utah at the time of
the expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo. Not hearing from him, as we
expected, and not considering it safe to remain in Hannibal, as we were for
the Union, and the majority of the people there were slave owners, and
sided with the South, we went back to Minnesota, and on October 28th, 1862,
my son Adam was born, being my tenth child. At last the long delayed letter
arrived, informing us there was a large company of teams and men being sent
from Utah to Omaha to meet immigrants from England, and that one would be
sent for us. Oh, how glad we were, it seemed to good to be true. We soon
disposed of what little we possessed after all our moving around and many
mishaps.

On May 25, 1863, we embarked on board the steamer "Canada" for St. Louis,
and took up our quarters on the lower deck. All was neat and clean and we
slept on our baggage. On the 26th we commenced taking on wheat, until the
boat was heavily freighted. We had no chance to cook. Charles and Adam were
very sick with the measles, and no chance to make them comfortable. We came
to Rock Island Bridge, which is a dangerous place for boats to go through.
At the draw of the R. R. Bridge, a number of vessels lay ruined nearby.
Many of our passengers were badly frightened, for we attempted the passage
five times before we succeeded in getting through. On the 28th, seventeen
horses were taken on the lower deck, which made the atmosphere very impure.
In the evening, five or six soldiers came aboard with foul company. Brute
beasts in the form of men fill the place, and the scene is almost
intolerable. On the 29th, we are lying at Montrose unloading grain. Nauvoo
lies on the opposite side of the river and looks deserted enough. One
corner of that once beautiful temple, alone remained, a monument of former
beauty and grandeur. It was raining hard or I should have crossed the river
to see it. But as I looked at it from this point, and thought of what it
once was, blossoming forth in beauty, with a population of seventeen
thousand inhabitants, I felt to mourn over its present desolation. I
thought, "Can it be that I shall see the place no more? Where once the
Prophet stood and moved the hearts of the people to worship God according
to the new and everlasting covenant, which had been revealed through him to
the people in this generation, and where he gave himself a martyr for the
cause he taught."

One of our passengers has just saved a man from drowning, he was sinking
for the third time, when rescued. My oldest boy, John, was quite sick, and
throat very sore; the other children better, but cross. On a Saturday we
arrived in St. Louis; it was raining hard. We went aboard the steamer,
"Fanny Ogden," for St. Joseph. We were to have a stove to cook by, laid in
a supply of provisions, and fancied we should be half way comfortable, but
it proved the reverse. We were transferred to the upper deck until the
storing of Government supplies was completed, then five hundred mules and
horses were taken aboard; consequently we had to remain on the upper deck
all the way from St. Louis to Omaha=97wind and rain for company; nothing but
bread and dried beef to eat, as the deck hands had stolen our vegetables. A
soldier was put on board for home, who had lost his leg in battle; another
very sick. We sat near along box for two or three days, that contained a
corpse. Our progress was slow, half the time on sand bars.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.255

We met a steamer coming down, saying the rebels were gathering in great
numbers and would fire on us. We had a cannon and soldiers on board for our
protection; for myself I felt no fear. The captain has built a breast work
of sacks of grain and tobacco boxes; all hands prepared for action. June
3rd all was excitement, and a sharp lookout was kept, looking for the enemy
every moment. At Lexington the town was almost destroyed by cannon, houses
partly demolished; it was here my husband's brother, a Unionist, was
killed. We passed a gloomy night, some on trunks doubled up any way to get
a few moment's rest; but strange to relate, not a shot was fired at us,
although in a rebel community. We passed Liberty landing and Independence;
things remain about as they were twenty years ago. We stopped at Kansas
City; plenty of Mexicans were there, loading teams for Mexico. On June 6th,
we arrived at St. Joseph, all tolerable well, considering that we had not
had a chance to change our clothes or undress since leaving Minnesota. We
found the river banks lined with Sioux Indians, who were being removed from
Minnesota by the Government, for their massacre of the whites.

June 7th, we laid all day at this place; in the evening the Indians had a
pow wow dance. We then boarded the "Emilie" for Omaha=97some Saints came
aboard at the same time, bound for Utah. I felt to rejoice, for I had not
seen the face of a member of the Church for over 18 years. Monday we landed
at Omaha in a heavy rain storm; rode to Florence, six miles, without a
cover from the rain, and stopped at a cabin, wet through. We had no fire
and no chance to make one, so laid down in damp bed clothes; next night had
the cholera and was sick three of four days, and my babe had bowel
complaint very bad. Thursday some immigrants arrived with the small pox.
Two are dead and ten more sick. One of the number spent the evening with
us; we shook hands with them; they said nothing about the disease; the next
day they were sent to the hills, where tents were provided for them. On
Saturday seven hundred persons from England arrived here en route for Salt
Lake. This is the gathering place for those who intend crossing the plains.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.255 - p.256

Today, Saints from Africa and Denmark arrived here. Their tents were
scattered over the hills, and when the camp fires were lit up at night the
scene was beautiful to behold. It makes me think how the children of Israel
must have looked in the days of Moses, when journeying in the wilderness;
also to see some hundred mules in an enclosure, all sleek and fat=97looks
like prosperity indeed. The train of five hundred teams from Salt Lake are
hourly looked for. Three deaths occurred in the Danish camp, and some three
or four weddings. June 15th, the children have picked three dollars worth
of wild strawberries, that helped us considerable.

On the 20th my sister's husband, Edwin Brigham arrived to take us out to
the valley. We were glad to see him. Sunday we fixed all day for a march in
the morning. We started; Monday night we camped out, and such a
night=97thunder, lightning and wind, but we slept, or rather stayed in our
wagons, did not get very wet, but felt rather stiff=97we cooked our
breakfast, milked the cow, dried our things, and were ready for another
day's tramp. One company of 50 or 60 wagons is ahead of us, and a good many
behind us. It is quite amusing to see a corral formed and the cattle driven
in to the center of the corral of wagons to keep them safe; each man
unyoking his own, all done in the best order.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.256

We had a good man for captain of our company. I don't think we could have
gotten a better one. We have meetings every evening. July 3rd, passed a
very hot day, up with the dawn, cook breakfast with buffalo manure for
fuel=97do our work and travel sixteen miles, hard wind most of the time. I
was tired out when camped for the night. One wagon upset in a mud hole, no
one hurt.

July 4th. All Well. Caught up with the company ahead, John R. Murdock,
captain; had a dance in the evening. Traveled well the next day, saw a
variety of beautiful flowers.

10th. Nothing of interest has occurred, the weather very hot. Had another
dance, we are on a large prairie, saw a buffalo herd, and passed through a
dog village. Cunning little fellows, dodging in and out of their burrows.
Nothing of moment has occurred for four or five days. The prairie is one
vast desert as far as game is concerned, except now and then a rabbit or
sage hen. One of the brethren killed an antelope and gave me a nice piece.
Friday, camped at Pawnee Springs, the water boils up from a great depth,
there are four of them, but I am told that a few weeks ago, there were but
two. The flowers are very pretty and of all colors.

18th. All well, warm when the sun is out, but chilly under a cloud.

22nd. Had a thunder shower, no sickness yet.

23rd. One man sick=97at noon, a babe belonging to some of the Saints from
Australia, died very suddenly. We have had a hard time today, traveling
through sand hills, had to double teams.

24th. Mr. Lightner quite unwell.

25th. Very hot; traveled through a great deal of sand, saw plenty of
prickly pear, it does very well to look at, but not good to handle or walk
over. Three Indians came into camp, driving two yoke of oxen, which our
captain traded for, as they belonged to the company ahead of us and will be
given to their owners. One of our wagons broke down, which delayed us three
hours.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.257

27th. He is better, but babe is very sick with canker and bowel complaint.

28th. Morning quite foggy, passed some natural curiosities, one called the
court house, from its resemblance to that edifice, also a large rock formed
like a church steeple and called the chimney. This part of the country is
the most barren and desolate that I ever saw. Nothing to relieve the eye
but sky and sand and hills, expected to see some buffalo but am=
 disappointed.

29th. Passed a small government train from the fort, often meet a few
persons passing along in this dreary place, as though they were in the=
 states.

30th. Passed a trading post, three tents and a few trees, which did my eyes
good, after seeing so much sand and barren soil.

31st. It has blown sand and dust, enough to choke one, all day. Passed two
deserted stations, and four graves of immigrants.

August 1st. Among the hills and rocks most of the day, and dust an inch
thick. Saw the telegraph station; it consists of two log houses,
outbuildings and a good well of water which was worth a great deal to us.
Nothing but hills and sage brush to be seen. No grass save in patches along
the river. Camped in dust as if in the middle of the street in the states.
Baked a shortcake, fried some bacon and had tea for supper after dark.
Tired almost to death=97lost the children's pet rabbit today.

2nd. A train of government wagons and soldiers passed us to settle some
difficulty with the Indians and gold seekers. Our train stopped this
afternoon to fix wagons and do our washing, the young folks danced and
played until twelve at night=97we always have prayers in the evening.

3rd. Saw some returned Californians, who spoke well of the Mormons in the
valley. We lost one of our cows from drinking alkali water. Saw six more=
 dead.

4th. Lost an ox. More sick from the cause. A child fell out of a wagon and
the wheels passed over both limbs, but was not much hurt. Passed sixteen
dead cattle, from the other train. This is a heavy loss.

8th. Came to the telegraph station, quite a little place. Saw a large
freight train, had coffee, bread, and thickened milk for dinner. We fixed
up and passed through the aforesaid train; all well.

10th. Came to another station, crossed the Platte River Bridge, which is a
good structure. Camped on a large hill, more dead cattle. The prospects
look gloomy enough. Elizabeth crazy all night with the toothache=97been so
for two days.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.257 - p.258

11th. The eleventh of August, the anniversary of our marriage=97twenty-five
years of joys and sorrow have passed over my head since then. Years never
to be forgotten. Came to what is termed the "Devil's Back Bone." It
consists of a long range of rocks, and looks as though they were thrown up
from beneath, and pointing up like ice in a jamb. It is a singular sight. A
company of gold seekers camped near us. Our company lost more cattle. Came
to a saleratus lake, which looked like ice in the distance. We cut out a
great quantity of it to take with us, as the captain said there was none in
the valley.

13th. Passed another station, also "Devil's Gate," which consists of two
mountains of rock so near together that a wagon can pass between them. The
walls on each side are perpendicular, rather sloping on the other side, and
so high that a man on the top looks like a small boy.

15th. Had breakfast of bacon, fried cakes and coffee, traveled on a good
road for miles, then stopped=97cook dinner. Wind blowing gale of sand all
over us. I think we will get the proverbial peck of dust before we get
through=97our cow sick, no milk for two or three days. Some sage hens and
rabbits were killed today. We have had fresh meat but once since leaving
the Mississippi River.

16th. Sand and gravel all day, feel sick and cross; for if there is a bad
place in camp, we are sure to get it. Antelope was killed today.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.258

17th. Saw mountains covered with snow in the distance; up and down hills
all day; heavy wind; camped in a good place for a wonder, writing by fire
light. Danes are at prayers by themselves=97our folks the same. While I, poo=
r
sinner, am baking bread. In fact, I don't much like our preacher. He
strokes his beard too much, and speaks too low.

18th. Saw a lot of antelope; two were killed. The captain gave me a nice
piece. Saw a camp of immigrants close by, another not far off. Camped on a
hill for dinner. The hill was covered with small black rocks. It is a
beautiful day, ice formed in our buckets as thick as a knife blade. More
game was killed today, but little or no sickness has befallen us so far,
the captain says we are greatly blessed to what some of the companies were.
I hope we will continue to be, until our journey ends. We have been in
sight of snow for two or three days. It looks cool for the month of August.
We are on the highest land on this side of the Mississippi. Here, on the
eastern side of the mountains the rivers flow toward the Atlantic, and on
the western side, to the Pacific. The scenery is grand. A bear was killed
weighing near four hundred pounds, and was divided among our company of
sixty persons. I could not stomach it. I don't believe they were made for
man's food.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.258 - p.259

We are now in Utah, but I don't see much change in the face of the land for
the better; but I can't see much, as I have been quite sick for six or
seven days. Crossed Green River Sunday evening, it is a beautiful stream of
water, and plenty of trees on its banks. Two trains are close behind us,
which make us hurry to keep the front place, for the roads are so dusty we
can hardly see our front teams. Stopped at a station where our men were
required to take the oath of allegiance to the United States government,
our wagons were searched for powder, etc. I have not much to say for the
past week, as I have been very sick all the time, was administered to by
Brother's Stork and Martin=97and was helped immediately. We saw a stage pass
twice yesterday, and more travel today=97which makes it look more like being
in the land of the living. Snow all around in the mountains, only think of
it; snow near, and yet almost smothered with dust. A stage passed with two
of our missionaries, one was Brigham Young, Jr. Arrived at Fort Bridger, a
nice place, good and substantial building. It looks comfortable. The days
warm, the nights cold. Last evening we bought some onions and potatoes,
which were quite a treat. They did us good, as we were getting the canker
bad, from so long a diet of salt pork, but I trust our journey is nearly
over. The earth at this place is of a reddish color, and the mountains look
somewhat greener than they have for some time.

31st. Passed through some mountains in a round about way, they look solemn
in their grandeur; rising one above another, and their verdure of many
colored hues and rocks of various shades looked beautiful to me; if I had
the materials and time I should paint some of them. One of the curiosities
of this place is a spring of tar. The people get it for their wagons. The
weather cold but pleasant. Passed a mail station, also a field of grain. It
looked nice, but I should not like to live there. There were some singular
looking rocks, very large, they appeared like huge blocks of clay,
sprinkled full of pebbles, and inclined to be a red color. The earth in
many places looked like a burnt brick=97near is a large cave in the rock, it
has a singular appearance. It is called the cascade. Some fruit was brought
in at famine prices=97apples eleven cents apiece.

September 1st. Passed through Echo Canyon. The scenery is beautiful to
behold, such rocks I never saw. Saw a few houses and potato patches, also a
mail station which looks comfortable. I think from the appearance of
things, Uncle Samuel feeds his men and animals pretty well. I feel weak
today, from not having proper food (we have been on short rations for seven
or eight days) and breathing in so much alkali dust. Camped near the town
of Weber. Came over a narrow road on the side of a mountain. It looked
dangerous. Came to W. Kimball's Ranch, he is rich in cattle and sheep.

Mary Lightner Autobiography, UG&HM 17 (1926), p.259 - p.260

September 3rd. Rained last night for the first time since we left the
Platte River. I hope it has laid the dust. I think it is the fourth rain we
have had on our journey so far.

14th. Camped at a station in dust enough to smother one.

15th. Arrived in Salt Lake City on Emigration Square. All well=97went throug=
h
some of the streets; there were some beautiful houses, orchards, and shade
trees.

17th. Started south to Beaver County. My brother, Henry Rollins, whom I had
not seen for twenty years, with his wife Eveline, met us, and conveyed us
in his mule team south. Stopped at an old friend's, in Springville, had a
nice time=97heard from a good many old friends. Had plenty of fruit to eat.
We traveled through a fine country. Saw some boiling springs, and some
large cold springs, so deep no bottom has been discovered, and they are
full of fish. We arrived in Minersville September 20th, 1863, and found my
dear mother and sister Phebe, all well and glad to see us. We were thankful
to find a home and friends, after an arduous journey of one thousand miles
in an ox team=97besides our trip on steamer from Stillwater, Minnesota, to
St. Louis, then up the Missouri to Omaha.

Mary Rollins Lightner, after 95 years, 8 months, 8 days of toil, sorrow and
joy, passed away, December 17, 1913. Her husband died, August 19, 1885.

They were the parents of ten children, three of them now (June 1926),
living. Elizabeth Turley, Los Angeles, California; Charles W. Lightner,
Ogden, Utah; Mary R. Rollins, Minersville, Utah.

Her descendants now living total 119 persons: 24 grandchildren, 76
great-grandchildren, 15 great-great-grandchildren, 1 great, great,
great-grandson, 9 years old.

- -----------------------------------------
Section 66
    An interesting note in the "Kirtland Revelation Book" states that
section 66 is, "a Revelation given to William E. McLelin a true descendent
from Joseph that was sold in Egypt down through the loins of Ephraim
his son."
    Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and
Covenants, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), p.?106.

    Joined Hedrickites 5 June 1869.  Left Hedrickites 3 November
1869.  Wife joined Reorganized LDS Church.  ...  Spent remainder of life
trying to get David Whitmer to organizenew Church.
    Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and
Covenants, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), p. 107.

Section 67
    Some of the ten elders present at the Hiram Conference (Joseph
Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, John Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr.,
Sidney Rigdon, William E. McLellan, Luke Johnson, Lyman Johnson, and
Orson Hyde) expressed concern over the seemingly uneducated
language found in the revelations then ready for printing.  In response,
Joseph Smith received section 67, which challenged the wisest of those
present to duplicate any revelation....  William E. McLellan, a newly
baptized school teacher from Paris, Tennessee, accepted the challenge
but failed.
    ...
    The Elders and all present that witnessed this vain attempt of a
man to imitate the language of Jesus Christ, renewed their faith in the
fulness of the Gospel, and in the truth of the commandments and
revelations which the Lord had given to the Church through my
instrumentality. =20
    Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and
Covenants, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), p.?107-108.

Section 68
    ... minutes in the "Far West Record" suggest that section 68, or
part of it, was received on 11 November 1831.  It appears that verses
1-13 [sic] were received 1-3 November, and verses 13-35 on 11
November.
    ... 5 October 1832, again in Missouri.  A group of fifteen high
priests had met in Independence to conduct certain business when it
was "moved by br. [William W.] Phelps that a revelation given 11th
November be read."  ...  Matters discussed at the October 1832 meeting
concerned the high priests and their responsibilities, topics contained in
section 68.
    ...
    It is noteworthy that the content of verses 13-35 of section 68 is
similar to that of verses 59-100 of section 107, also received in
November 1831.
    Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and
Covenants, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), p.?108-109.

    Actually, verses 16-21 were not originally part of this revelation,
and were first published in the Evening and Morning Star ... in June
1835.  Use of the term "First Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood"
(rather than Presidency of the High Priesthood) in these verses reflects
title changes which occurred sometime in 1834-1835.
    Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and
Covenants, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), p.?145.

    Section 68 is the first latter-day revelation to address the ntion of
being sealed up unto eternal life (verse 12).  This was a topic of
considerable importance during the Prophet's life-time.  Shortly after the
Orange, Ohio, conference (25 October 1831) highpriests began sealing
the Saints to eternal life.  These early priesthood sealings (1831-35)
were not inimportant, but it was later determined that they were
insufficient.  Although the Prophet received the greater keys of sealing
from Elijah in April 1835, he delayed administering the higher (temple)
ordinances until the 1840s.  The first priesthood (eternal) marriage was
performed in April 1841, and the priesthood endowment was
administered for the first time in May 1842.  Having received these
prerequisite ordinances, the faithful could continue on and receive the
fulness of the priesthood wherein they were sealed up unto eternal.=20
(sic)  Th fulness of the priesthood began to be administered in
September 1843.)  Thus, a complete understanding of the nature of
making one's calling an election sure ... developed over a ten-year
period, and achieved its fullest expression during the Nauvoo period.
    Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and
Covenants, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), p.?145.

Section 69
    Oliver Cowdery should carry the revelations to Independence,
Missouri, for printing.  So that Cowdery would not have to travel the
distance alone with these sacred writings (as well as money to
purchase land in Jackson County, Missouri), John Whitmer was
appointed to accompany him.
    Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith:
A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and
Covenants, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), p. 112.
Section 70
    Section 70 is a revelation directed specifically to members of the
Literary Firm.  This firm, organized in November 1831, concerned itself
with the printing of official Church literature.  ... Joseph Smith, Oliver
Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, John Whitmer, and Martin Harris had played
such a conspicuous role in recording, preservin, and preparing the
revelations for publicatin, they should "have claim on the Church for
recompense."  ...  These men who were to "manage" the revelations
constituted the membership of the Literary Firm.  ...  Items of specific
concern for the Literary Firm were the printng and distribution of the
New Translation of the Bible, the Church hymnal, a Church almanac,
children's literature, Church newspapers.
    At the organization of the Literary Firm (mid-November 1831),
William W. Phelps was included as a member, and shortly thereafter
Jesse Gause was added.  In 1833 Frederick G. Williams, who had
replaced Gause in the presidency of the High Priesthood, also became a
member.  ...
    ...  The first product of the Literarty (sic) Firm was The Evening
and Morning Star.  ...
    In March 1832, a companion firm, known as the United Firm, was
organized in Ohio.  ...
    ... the Church press in Missouri was destroyed by a mob on 20
July 1833 ...
    ...
    By November 1833 members of the firm had decided to expand
their operation to include a political paper that would support Andrew
Jackson's administration.  ...  This political paper, entitled the Northern
Times, began officially in February 1835 and continued for more than a
year.
    ...
    Heavy operating expenses ... brought the partnership to the brink
of collapse by the fall of 1835.  Samuel H. Smith and David Whitmer were
appointed agents for the firm on 16 September 1835 to assist in selling
subscription and collecting subscription monies.  Their collections as well
a s a $600 loan in October 1835 temporarily saved the enterprise.  ...
    In 1836 the Literary Firm began to be dissolved.
Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A
Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants,
(Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), p.?112-117.

- -----------------------------------------
Subject: McLellin's Comments on D&C 66

... an article by McLellin that appeared in 1848 in his short-lived
periodical, the Ensign of Liberty.  This agrees with Journal I by
mentioning his attendence at a conference in the town of Orange on October
25, From this conference I went home with the Prophet, McLellin continued,
and on Saturday, the 29th, I received through him, and wrote from his
mouth a revelation concerning myself.        =20

...  McLellin explained, I went before the Lord in secret, and on my knees
asked him to reveal the answer to five questions through his ...  McLellin
explained, I went before the Lord in secret, and on my knees asked him to
reveal the answer to five questions through his Prophet, and that too
without his having
made such a request.

...  The Ensign of Liberty article, written more than ten years
after McLellin had left the LDS Church, is even more insistent about the
responses that came in the revelation.  It describes the effect the
revelation had on McLellin's conviction that Joseph Smith was indeed a
prophet of God....  It is clear the McLellin believed, both while he was a
member of the Church and ten years after he had become disaffected, that
in 1831 Joseph Smith was a true prophet.

... What were the five questions?  McLellin left no list, probably because
of the intensely personal nature of the questions.  With the emergence of
his journals and other papers, however, a careful reading of the answers
in section 66 suggests likely possibilities:

Question 1    How does this little church that I have just joined,
organized by Joseph Smith, fit into the religious world? (D&C 66 2)

Question 2    What is my spiritual standing (D&C 66:3)

Question 3    What is my role in the Church?  I have closed my school and
settled my affairs in Illinois.  What am I to do now?  (D&C*66:5-8)

Question 4    I have seen and personally experienced the power to heal by
both Joseph and Hyrum Smith.  Will I be able to have this power?
(D&C*66:9)

Question 5    How can I escape the temptation of adultery and other sins
which have burdened me, especially since the recent death of my wife? (D&C
66: 9, 10, 12) The Journals of William E. McLellin, Edited by Jan Shipps
and John W. Welch, (Brigham Young University and the University of
Illinois Press, 1994)

------------------------------

End of gdm Digest V1 #14
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