light from Heaven," the "Restored Gospel," overturned all human dogmas; uprooted age-long traditions; shook to its foundation the mighty fabric of popular sectarianism; kindling to flames the spirit of prejudice, indignation, and hatred in the hearts of a people whose minds were seeped in age-long traditional religious concepts of apostate churches. A situation existed that called for men of character, faith, and courage to lead the Saints if the "Restored Church" were to survive and be extablished in the earth. Condemnation of mormonism followed by bitter persecution of the Saints increased by false accusations by an antagonistic press and the ridicule and denunciation of our faith by a well-organized, indignant, sanctimonious clergy of the existing religious sects of the time; forced the Saints to gather many times to protect themselves against evil, adverse influences and forces that sought to destroy them. The command, as vibrant as the day it was issued from Heaven, resounded again through the centuries of time warning God's Elect, "Come out of Her (Babylon) my people that ye enter not into her sins and receive not of her plagues." Driven from the state of New York and Kirtland, Ohio, their first temple city; from Jackson County, Missouri, the place designated through revelation the land of their inheritance; and from Clay, Caldwell, and Davis Counties where they in turn sought refuge. Leaving Missouri, they entered Illinois; severely persecuted, but not disheartened they gathered in the little village of commerce around their President and Prophet, Joseph Smith. For some time there was a lull in the thundering threat to their lives. They built Nauvoo the Beautiful, fine dwellings, churches, schools, public buildings, civic and industrial centers, and a stately temple. A city of no small dimensions sprang up apparently over night. The accomplishments with the hum of the busy wheels of industry and the thriving crops in the rural sections, signalled the thrift and prosperity of an industrious people. After the Prophet offered himself for the Presidency of the United States in 1844 and the suppression of an anti-mormon newspaper in Nauvoo, indignation against the mormons swept the state of Illinois. Like the gathering clouds before a devastating storm, the enemies of law and justice began their work of destruction, plundering, and confiscation of Church property and homes of the Saints; lashing and beating of members of a household who offered resistance to these cruel depredations, became widespread in the city and rural sections and grew more violent as enemy vengeance increased; reaching the climax in the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum and finally driving the Saints from their possessions, their beloved city and state to Winter Quarters, Florence, Nebraska. -2- Under threats of annihilation, the first company of Saints left Nauvoo February 4, 1846, a season when the country was held in the grip of subzero weather. To say the least, their journey was dramatic. Few, if any, migrations recorded in history is packed with more human suffering and misery, and, too, with more unparalleled acts of heroism than were exhibited among these people during those trying days. Due to extreme temperatures, a number of the first companies of Saints crossed the Mississippi River with wagons on the ice. Wagon after wagon reaching the side of the stream entered the long stretch of uninhabited snow-covered prairie, trusting their fate to an overruling providence and the guiding arm of their inspired leader, Brigham Young, in whose hands the destiny of the Church and its people was committed. Camps were set up at intervals along the way as necessity demanded, where those following could recuperate and replenish food supplies. Tender boughs of willows, bark of trees, and shrubbery along the way furnished feed for their animals. Sugar Creek, Fox River, Shoal Creek, Garden Grove, Mt. Pisgah, and Council Bluffs are names familiar to students of Church History. Camps at these places became famous because of events that happened at some and business deals that were consummated at others. Permanent villages were established at the last three places named above: Garden Grove, Mt. Pisgah, and Council Bluffs. Cabins were erected, fields were fenced, land was tilled and seeded, wells were dug to furnish water for culinary use, in fact, all necessary preparations were made to receive and care for the destitute hundreds still leaving Nauvoo, destined to come that way. Now miles from their beloved Nauvoo where they had hoped to reside permanently, rear their families and live their religion; they were still confronted with a dismal future which they faced with a courage and fortitude possessed by few people. While free from the hounding threats of mob violence, they were again called upon to sacrifice; not a sacrifice incited by enemy force, but Government imposed by appealing for men to serve in the army. Captain James Allen of the U. S. Army served papers on the Church leaders at Council Bluffs and Mt. Pisgah, June 29, 1846, calling for 500 able-bodied young men to serve their country in the war against Mexico. President Young assured the Captain that the number asked for would be raised immediately. Three days later the quota was exceeded and after induction into the famous Mormon Battalion, the men left Council Bluffs July 13, 1846 and commenced the longest infantry march yet to be recorded in history. This impressive demonstration of patriotism, sacrifice of men needed desperately at Mormon camps to care for destitute loved ones, dispelled enemy charges that the Saints were disloyal to the Government. -3-