Instead of crossing with the main body of Saints, I went with a few others traveling south fork for some distance. About fifteen families decided to stop for the winter, and something had to be done about provisions. After a council, I made the suggestion that those who had left grain and animals at their homes take teams and go back to get them; and it might be that the Lord would soften the hearts of our enemies that they would let us have some of our own to bring back with us. Part of us went back. Some dared to remain, but I did not think it wise; so 1 was just going to try and get some food. When I arrived at my home, all was gone. My bins were empty, and my hogs were stolen or strayed off. Nothing was there; and in this condition, my feeling can only be imagined. I was among my bitter enemies with no money to buy food with and my family out in the wilds with winter upon them and nothing to live on. I was walking the yard with a silent prayer to God that He would soften the hearts of my enemies that they would be willing to let me have some of my own to take to my family. While thus in deep trouble, a Mr. Cantrel, one of my neighbors, though a bitter enemy to our people, came up to me and said, "Good morning, Mr. Porter, you seem to be in trouble." "I am," I answered, and then told him of my sad predicament. His heart seemed to soften, for he took me over to his place and gave me what I wanted, and did not charge me a cent. With a thankful heart, I accepted his offer, although I felt I was getting my own, but we had suffered so much persecution that we were forced to take the strips and bow to the giver. I soon met the other members, and we went back to our families. During the winter of 1833-34, we cleared land and built houses. Being in a wilderness, we were thrown entirely upon our own resources. In the year of 1839, we started for Montrose, Iowa, where we wished to give our children better advantages. Shortly after settling here, my son, Nathan, through overwork and handling heavy timber, was injured internally and was unable to work. For several months he was confined to his bed, and the mending was slow and not very sure. During this time, my daughter, Sarah, was married to Mr. Daniel Willard, not a member of our church. He had made her a solemn promise that he would join soon after their marriage, so she trusted him and believed his word. But soon after she found that he had never intended to join the church, and when out of her presence would speak against the Mormons, vilifying them. We were all opposed to her marrying him, but like many others, she made her own choice. When she learned of his true character, it had a fatal effect on her sensitive Morgan Pioneer History Binds Us Together nature. She grieved very deeply. It undermined her health, and she passed away within a year after marriage. So she was free from the trials of this life. Another death occurred in the family in August 1841. Justin Theodore was killed by a horse falling on him. On October 6th, Nathan started on his first mission. In about thirteen months, he returned, later he was sent out again. This time it was to electioneer for the Prophet Joseph Smith, he having announced his candidacy for President of the United States. It was while on this trip in Ohio that the martyrdom of the Prophet and Hyrum occurred. Nathan says that Governor Ford was heard to say in speaking of the killing at the Carthage Jail, "I would have thought they would have had more regard for their safety." (And this after the Mormon Militia had been disarmed by his orders, this implying that he expected it to take place, but not so soon, plainly showing he was taking no steps to prevent it, although he had pledged his honor to their safety, which was his duty as governor of the state. After calling upon all the Mormons to surrender their arms, which was an un- American act, they turned an armed mob loose upon them. Such things are for the record of Heaven.) Shortly after the martyrdom of the Prophet and Hyrum, a meeting was called to elect or choose a new president for the church, and those who were at the meeting testify to seeing Joseph Smith and hearing his voice in the person of Brigham Young, when he arose to speak. The people willingly voted him to lead the church; he immediately began preparations for the long journey to the West. In 1845 when we started to the great Rocky Mountains of Salt Lake, my two sons, Chauncy and Nathan, remained behind to make preparation for the long journey. But before getting ready, the cold weather set in, and they were compelled to wait until the next spring before joining their father and the rest of the party at Winter Quarters. They got a little work through the winter however, which helped them to a little means. In the spring of 1846, they started with what they had and came to Winter Quarters, and got there some time in June. On account of sickness and death in the family, having to bury his wife and two children, Chauncy was compelled to remain two years longer and did not come to Salt Lake until 1849. My son, Sanford, was in California with 500 other Mormons, who had been drafted into the U.S. Army at Winter Quarters, and was marched across the desert to the Pacific coast to subdue the Mexicans. However, the Mexicans surrendered, the army disbanded in 1847, and Sanford met us in Salt Lake on October 16. He remained with us until 1849, when he returned to California and was 137