John and I were given another job making ditches on a farm, and for this we were given another horse. We then worked at another job cutting hay and earned a wagon with harness to fit. With our harness and wagon, we hauled in wood for winter. We felt rich in the Lord's blessing and again told Him so. Brother John and I started another house of the same nature as the first for me and my family. We worked on it when we were not otherwise employed. At this time our prophet was going through many trials. O how wonderful it was to see him and talk to him as we did from time to time. The touch of his hand was uplifting to us and gave us much courage. When we expressed fear for him he said, "Do not be alarmed, I have no fear, I shall not flee, I am among friend and my enemies cannot slay me. I tell you this in the name of Israel's God." Joseph seemed to always be surrounded by his friends. Brother Marriott and I were called at times to guard him in some of his darkest hours. He was subjected to 38 law suits against his person, but was never convicted. At this time Brother Marriott made room in our crowded house for a homeless couple, Brother and Sister Shultz, but our house was soon done, and we moved in it with grateful hearts to God. In this diary I must write the saddest news of my heart for God's call has come to our dear beloved Prophet Joseph. We felt when we last talked to him that he knew his time was short. We heard a whole city wailing because of his death, our grief cannot be explained. Take sheep without fold, everyone wondered where to look for authority. A Priesthood Council was called and not long after Brigham young arose to continue the foundation Joseph had made, the foundation of a Kingdom whose equal there never was in the world. With the new leader, Brigham Young, we lifted our hearts and minds to God and feeling at peace, we returned to our work. In the fall of 1844, John and I were given work by a Mr. White. We worked on his farm until winter drove us in then in the spring we rented farm land from him, put in a crop of corn, and had a good yield. We did not forget to thank the Lord for this. There were two Coleman brothers who also planted corn. They stored their grain with us in a place we prepared for it. They paid us well for this favor. We were thankful for it. Later we returned to Big Mound with good returns from our work. About this time, Brigham Young received word form Governor Ford of Illinois to get ourselves off to California as soon as we could.