History of Heber C. Kimball (1801-1868) (2)

Mormon History 1830-1844

History of Heber C. Kimball (1801–1868) (2)

Missionaries arrive 3 weeks after Heber joined the Baptists, in 1832. Mormon message: angel restored gospel and priesthood, repent, be baptized and receive Holy Ghost, signs to follow. Elders speak in tongues §. Vision of Saints gathering in Zion, judgments and destruction §. Visit church in Pennsylvania–tongues and prophecy. Brigham baptized April 14, 1832, Heber a day or two later §. Mendon branch members §. Unusual effects of receiving the Holy Ghost §. Ancient ruins §. Visit Joseph Smith §. Kirtland §. Gift of tongues begins in Columbia branch, to Mendon branch, to Kirtland. Zion's Camp §. Cholera §.

This sketch is part of the series, "History of Brigham Young," published in the Millennial Star, 1863–1865. It was originally published in the Deseret News in 1858. The title in the Deseret News and Millennial Star is "Synopsis of the History of Heber Chase Kimball."

		SYNOPSIS OF THE HISTORY OF HEBER CHASE KIMBALL.	MS 26, no. 31 (July 30, 1864): 487–488.
		[Part 2]	MS 26, no. 31 (July 30, 1864): 487–488.
Childhood feelings	¶	From the time I was twelve years old, I had many serious thoughts and strong desires to obtain a knowledge of salvation, but not finding any one who could teach me the things of God, I did not embrace any principles of doctrine, but endeavored to lead a moral life. The priests would tell me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but never would tell me what to do to be saved, and thus left me almost in despair.	Originally published in Deseret News, Mar. 31, 1858.
Mormons arrive 3 weeks after baptism	¶	About three weeks after I joined the Baptist church [fall 1831], five elders of the Church of Jesus Christ came from Pennsylvania to the house of Phinehas H. Young in Victor. Their names were Eleazer [Eleazar] Miller, Elial Strong, Alpheus Gifford, Enos Curtis, and Daniel Bowen. Hearing of these men, curiosity prompted me to go and see them, when for the first time, I heard the fullness of the everlasting gospel.	According to Brigham Young, Eleazar Miller and Elial Strong preached in Mendon in 1831, in April 1832 his father, John Young and his brothers, Joseph and Phinehas went to ivestigate the church in Columbia, Pennsylvania. John was baptized by Ezra Landon on April 5. "History of Brigham Young," MS 25, no. 19 (1863): 295. On p. 376 he says that he went to Bradford County, PA with John and Joseph and was baptized by Ezra Landon on April 6. Joseph was baptized by Daniel Bowen the same day, and they started for home on the 7th. Columbia Township, Bradford County, PA is 120 miles east of Mendon but I have found no other references to a church in Bradford County in this period. On p. 424 he says that he went to Columbia with Phinehas and Heber to visit the church there, remaining a week. He also says the members in Columbia "were the first in the Church who received the gift of tongues." Heber does not mention of the Book of Mormon that Samuel H. Smith sold to Phineas Young in 1830 or the copy Samuel had left with Heber's sister in the same year. Both had been read and loaned to others in Mendon. According to Stan Kimball, Heber "never alluded to his introdution to or study of the Book of Mormon and he seldom quoted from it in his sermons." Heber, 16. On the Books of Mormon in Mendon, see Samuel's Books. MS 26, no. 32 (Aug. 6, 1864): 503–504. the Church: unit at Columbia, New York, about 130 miles south of Mendon. Heber, 19. Deseret News, April 7, 1858. MS 26, no. 33 (Aug. 13, 1864): 519–520. Deseret News, April 7, 1858. Speaking in Tongues
Angel restores gospel and priesthood		They declared that an holy angel had been commissioned from the heavens, who had committed the Everlasting Gospel and restored the Holy Priesthood unto Joseph Smith as at the beginning;
Repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost		and that all men were now called upon every where to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, and receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost;
Signs follow believers		and these signs should follow those that believe, viz., they should cast out devils in the name of Jesus, they should speak with new tongues, &c.,
Apostasy		and the reason why the Lord had restored these things, was because the people had transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the Everlasting Covenant.
Heber immediately convinced	¶	As soon as I heard them I was convinced that they taught the truth, and that I had only received a part of the ordinances under the Baptist Church.
Elders speak in tongues		I also saw and heard the gifts of the spirit manifested by the elders, for they spoke in tongues and interpreted, which tended to strengthen my faith.
Brigham and Heber bear testimony		Brigham Young and myself were constrained, by the Spirit, to bear testimony of the truth, and when we did this, the power of God rested upon us.
Solomon Kimball encourages Heber	¶	On a certain occasion, while going to hear the Elders, I passed the house of my brother, Solomon, and enquired of him if he had seen them, he answered he had, and had heard them pray, and prayed with them. I asked what he thought of them, he replied, "They are full of the Holy Ghost religion." I told him I was going to see them, he said, "Go."
Brigham prophecies about Solomon	¶	Brother Brigham Young afterwards prophesied that my brother Solomon would yet believe the work and embrace it, and would lay hold of me, and wonder why I had come into possession of such great knowledge.
John Young family, John P. Greene, Josel Sanford of Mendon	¶	The family of John Young, Sen., of five sons, five daughters, and two sons-in-law, John P. Greene and Joel Sanford, had moved into Mendon a few years previously. They had the same principles in their breasts which I had in mine; truth was what we wanted and would have, and truth we did receive; for the Lord granted us testimony upon testimony of the truth of gospel.
Vision of Saints gathering to Zion, persecutions Persecutions Calamaties and judgments on world	¶	Upon one occasion Father John [504] Young, Brigham Young, Joseph Young and myself gathered together to get some wood for Phinehas H. Young. We were pondering upon those things which had been told us by the Elders, and upon the Saints gathering to Zion,
Vision		and the glory of God shone upon us, and we saw the gathering of the Saints to Zion, and the glory that would rest with them and many more things connected with that great event, such as the sufferings and persecutions which would come upon the people of God, and the calamities and judgments which would come upon the world.
Shout Hosannah	¶	These things caused such great joy to spring up in our bosoms, that we were hardly able to contain ourselves; and we did shout aloud, Hosannah to God and the Lamb.
Heber, Brigham, Phinehas and wives visit Pennsylvania church	¶	These things increased our desires to hear. I took my horses and sleigh and started for Pennsylvania; Brigham and Phinehas Young and their wives went along with me.
Tongues, prophecy		We stayed with the Church there about six days, attended their meetings, heard them speak in tongues, interpret and prophecy, which truly caused us to rejoice and praise the Lord.
Witness to neighbors		We returned confirmed in the truth, and bore testimony of that which we seen and heard, to our friends and neighbors.
Brigham, then Heber baptized	¶	April 14th, 1832, Brigham Young went forward and was baptized by Eleazer Miller, and the next day, or the day following, Alpheus Gifford came into my shop while I was forming a vessel upon the wheel, and while conversing with me upon the subject of this work, I said, "Brother Alpheus, I am ready to go forward and be baptized." I jumped up, pulled off my apron, washed my hands and started with him with my sleeves rolled up to my shoulders, and went the distance of one mile where he baptized me in a small stream in the woods.
Confirmation prayer		After I was baptized I kneeled down and he laid his hands upon my head and confirmed me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, and said unto me, "In the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the holy Priesthood receive ye the Holy Ghost,"
Declines ordination as elder		and before I got up off my knees, he wanted to ordain me an Elder; but I plead with him not to do it, as I felt myself unworthy of such a calling, and such an office.
Vilate baptized Mendon branch members	¶	In about two weeks, my wife, Vilate, was baptized by brother Joseph Young, with several others in a small stream close to my house, and we numbered about thirty in that Branch, viz.:—
	¶	John Young, Sen., and Mary his wife. Brigham Young and Miriam his wife. Phinehas H. Young and Clarrissa his wife. Joseph Young. Lorenzo D. Young and Persis his wife. John P. Greene and Rhoda his wife, and their children. Joel Sanford and Louiza his wife. William Stilson and Susan his wife. Fanny Young. Isaac Flummerfelt and his wife, with their children. Ira Bond and his wife Charlotte. Heber C. Kimball and Vilate his wife. Rufus Parks. John Morton and Betsey his wife. Nathan Tomlinson and his wife. Israel Barlow, with his mother, brother and sisters.
Holy Ghost burns "Crazy" Heber	¶	Under the ordinances of baptism and laying on of hands, I received the Holy Ghost, as the disciples did in ancient days, which was like a consuming fire, and I was clothed in my right mind, although the people called me crazy. I continued in this way for many months, and it seemed as though my flesh would consume away.
Understands scriptures		At the same time the Scriptures were unfolded to my mind in such a wonderful manner it appeared to me, at times, as if I had formerly been familiar with them.
Persecuted	¶	This alarmed the professing world around us and raised the devil to great rage, still our minds were calm and filled with peace, while the wrath of our enemies was raised to such a degree that they persecuted us.
Sued for debts Baptist friends refuse to help		During one week some of those who had professed to be my greatest friends in the Baptist church and others, persecuted me to such a degree that five or six executions were taken out against me, and I turned out property to secure the same, but, to their great disappointment, God opened my way so that I obtained money to pay all my debts and liberate myself from them, and none of my property was sold at auction; and in the meantime, during my greatest trouble, not one of them were willing to step forward to assist [520] me, excepting my brethren in the church, and my brother, Solomon.
Ordained Mission with Brigham	¶	I was ordained an elder by Joseph Young, and in company with himself and his brother, Brigham, I labored in Genesee, Avon and Lyonstown, where we baptized many and built up churches.
Confirmation prayer	¶	Brother Ezra Landan preached in Avon and Genesee, baptized eighteen or twenty, and being afraid to confirm them and promise the Holy Ghost, he requested me to confirm, them, which I did according to the best of my knowledge, pronouncing but a few words on the head of each one, and invariably saying, "receive ye the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus Christ."
Holy Ghost, tongues		Immediately the Holy Ghost fell upon them and several commenced speaking in tongues before they arose from their knees, and we had a joyful time; some ten or twelve spoke in tongues, neither of whom had ever heard any person speak in tongues, they being the first baptized in that place.
Father Bosley ploughs up iron tools	¶	From the time father Bosley located near Avon he found and ploughed up axes and irons, and had sufficient to make his mill irons, and had always abundance of iron on hand without purchasing.
Ancient burial grounds, fortifications	¶	In the towns of Bloomfield, Victor, Manchester and in the regions round about, there were hills upon the tops of which were entrenchments and fortifications, and in them were human bones, axes, tomahawks, points of arrows, beads and pipes, which were frequently found, and it was a common occurrence in the country to plough up axes, which I have done many times myself.
		I have visited the fortifications on the tops of those hills frequently, and the one near Bloomfield I have crossed hundreds of times, which is on the bluff of Honeyoy River, at the outlet of Honeyoy Lake.
Deep lakes	¶	In that region there are many small, deep lakes, in some the bottom has never been found; fish abound in them.
Hill Cumorah	¶	The Hill Cumorah is a high hill for that country, and had the appearance of a fortification or entrenchment around it. In the state of New York, probably, there are hundreds of those fortifications which are now visible and I have seen them in many other parts of the United States.	MS 26, no. 34 (Aug. 20, 1864): 535–536.
Gift of tongues from Columbia branch		We received the gift of tongues and interpretation a few days after we were baptized. The brethren who brought the Gospel to us belonged to the first Branch of the Church that received the gift of tongues, and the Branch at Mendon was the next.	Speaking in Tongues
Kirtland		Brothers Brigham and Joseph Young and myself went of Kirtland, with my horses and wagon, to visit the Prophet, a distance of three hundred miles.
Brigham speaks in tongues First experience for Joseph		We saw Brother Joseph Smith and had a glorious time; during which Brother Brigham spoke in tongues before Brother Joseph, it being the first time he had heard any one speak in tongues; he testified that the gift was from God, and spoke in tongues himself. Soon the gift of tongues became general in the Church in Kirtland. We had a precious season and returned with a blessing in our souls.
	¶	I continued rejoicing in the Lord and bearing testimony that God had spoken from the heavens, and of the things I had received until I sold my possessions and settled up my affairs.
To Kirtland, fall 1833 Neighbors sue for debts Settles		In the fall of 1833, I took my horses and wagon and started for Kirtland, Ohio; but to my great surprise some of my neighbors issued attachments against my goods, although I was not indebted to any one of them to the value of five cents, for I had been so particular in such matters, that I was well aware I was not indebted in any sum, to any person, unless two cents to one man, in a case where change could not be procured. Although there were some hundred dollars due to me, which I was obliged to leave uncollected: I settled their unjust claims.
Arrive Kirtland, stay with Elijah Smith		Elder Brigham Young and his two children went with me; we arrived at Kirtland about the last of October or first of November. I went into a house belonging to Mr. Elijah Smith and resided there until the next April.
Brigham builds house for Heber		In the meantime I built myself a small frame house, which was put up by brother Brigham Young, who was a carpenter and joiner.
$200 donation	¶	Soon after our arrival in Kirtland there was a contribution called for to finish the school-house and printing office; I contributed the glass for the house, and I gave brother Hyrum Smith $200 for the building of the temple.
House plans, deadline	¶	The brethren were engaged in building the House of the Lord. The commandment to build the House, and also the pattern of it was given in a revelation to Joseph Smith, Jun., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, and was to be erected by a stated time.
Impoverished		The Church was in a state of poverty and distress, in consequence of which it appeared almost impossible that the commandment could be fulfilled,
Enemy threats Guard Joseph		at the same time our enemies were raging and threatening destruction upon us, and we had to guard night after night, and for weeks were not permitted to take off our clothes, and were obliged to lay with our firelocks in our arms to preserve brother Joseph's life.
Heber transports Joseph to Painesville for court hearings Often waylaid	¶	Joseph was sued before a magistrate's court in Painesville on a vexatious suit. I carried him from Kirtland to Painesville, with four or five others, in my wagon every morning for five days, and brought them back in the evening. We were often waylaid, but managed to elude our enemies by rapid driving and taking different roads. Esq. Bissell defended the Prophet.	Benjamin B. Bissell (1805–1878), state's attorney for Portage county (Painesville), Calls on Joseph April 2, 1834. Defended in July 1834, and helped him escape a Painesville mob in 1837. Papers, 2:28, 527.
Mobs around Kirtland	¶	Mobs were organized around Kirtland, who were enraged against us, ready to destroy us.
Zion's Camp revelation	¶	Brother Joseph received a revelation concerning the redemption of Zion. He gathered together as many of the brethren as he conveniently could, to go up to Missouri to the assistance of our persecuted brethren, according to the words of the Lord.	Zion's Camp
Heber, Joseph, others leave Kirtland May 5	¶	May 5th, I left Kirtland in company with brother Joseph and about a hun[536]dred others and arrived in New Portage on the 7th, where Zion's camp was organized.	Heber's Zion's Camp
Heber's contributions		I had a span of good horses and wagon which I took along and I gave in to the general fund all the money I had.
Captain of 13		I was appointed Captain of the third company, which numbered thirteen. I drove and took care of my own team, and took charge of my company.
Lets the lame ride his horses		I walked the most of the journey, letting the lame and footsore ride in my stead. I frequently invited the Prophet to ride, seeing him lame and footsore, on such occasions he would bless my team and myself with a hearty good will: my team performed the journey very well.
Indianapolis	¶	May 21st, We passed through Indianapolis the capital of Indiana.
Reorganization, body guard	¶	At the re-organization of the camp at Salt River, Missouri, I was selected as one of President Joseph Smith's life guard.	¶ Heber's Zion's Camp
Fishing River storm Destruction Protects from enemies	¶	June 19th, We camped on an elevated piece of land between two branches of Fishing river, where we encountered a severe storm of rain and hail accompanied by thunder and lightning; the hail fell all round the camp, and within a mile many of the trees were stripped of their branches; the streams which were fordable in the evening rose to the depth of thirty feet; and this interposition of divine providence preserved us from fighting our enemies who had gathered on all sides to attack us.
Rebellion against the Prophet Joseph: camp will be scourged	¶	During our journey there was murmuring and complaining, and in some instances there was rebellion in the camp against the counsels of President Smith who prophesied that the Lord had prepared a scourge for the camp, and that the destroyer should be in our midst, and many should die like sheep with the rot; he further said, "Repentance may modify the calamity, but not altogether avert it; the members of the camp will be scourged for their wickedness."
Cholera victims at Fishing River	¶	While on Fishing river, brothers Joseph Hancock, Ezra Thayer and Thomas Hayes were attacked with cholera.
June 24, to Rush Creek	¶	24th.—The camp removed to Rush Creek, and encamped in brother Burgett's field, some two-and-a-half miles from Liberty.	MS 26, no. 35 (Aug. 27, 1864): 550–552.
Cholera strikes	¶	The destroyer came upon us, as we had been warned by the servant of God. About twelve o'clock at night we began to hear the cries of those who were seized. Those on guard fell with their guns in their hands to the ground, and we had to exert ourselves considerably to attend to the sick, for they were stricken down on every hand. Thus it continued till morning, when the camp was dispersed among the brethren.
Care for sick John Carter dies		I was left with Joseph B. Noble, John D. Parker, Luke S. Johnson, and Warren Ingalls in care of those who were sick. We stayed with, and prayed for them, hoping they would recover, but all hope was lost, for about six o'clock p.m., John S. Carter expired.	John S. Carter: ¶ History of Amasa Lyman
John had tried to rebuke the cholera	¶	When the cholera first broke out, he laid his hands on his brethren to rebuke it, but he was violently attacked and was the first who died.
Seth Hitchcock dies		In about thirty minutes, Seth Hitchcock died, and it appeared as though we must all sink under the power of the destroyer.
Bury the dead without coffins	¶	We were not able to obtain lumber to make them coffins, but were under the necessity of rolling them up in their blankets, and burying them in that manner. We placed them on a sled, which was drawn about half a mile, and buried them by the side of a small branch of Rush creek. This was accomplished by dark.
Eber Wilcox dies	¶	Our hopes were that no more would [551] die, but while we were uniting in prayer with uplifted hands to God, our beloved brother Eber Wilcox died.
Heber prays to be spared Covenants to never sin again		At this scene my feelings were beyond expression. Those only who witnessed it can realize any thing of the extent of our sufferings, and I felt to weep and pray to the Lord, that he would spare my life that I might behold my dear family again. I felt to covenant with my God and my brethren, never to commit another sin while I lived.
Weep over brethren	¶	We wept over our brethren, and so great was our sorrow that we could have washed them with our tears. To realize that they had travelled a thousand miles through so much fatigue to lay down their lives for their brethren increased our love to them.
Brigham and Joseph Young arrive	¶	Brothers Brigham and Joseph Young came from Liberty and assisted us to bury brother Wilcox; their presence gave us much consolation.
	¶	About twelve o'clock at night we drew brother Wilcox on a small sled to the place of interment, with one hand hold of the rope, and in the other we bore our firelocks for our defense. While two were digging the grave, the others stood with their arms to defend them.
Luke Johnson struck with cholera Brigham's efforts to save him	¶	While brother Luke Johnson was digging, the cholera attacked him with cramping and blindness; brother Brigham laid hold of him and pulled him out of the grave, and shook him about, talked to, and prayed for him, and exhorted him to jump about and exercise himself, when it would leave him for a few moments, then it would attack him again; and thus we had the greatest difficulty to keep the destroyer from laying us low.
	¶	This was our situation—the enemies around us and the destroyer in our midst. Soon after we returned, another brother was taken away from our little band; thus it continued until five out of ten were taken away.
Enemies stay away	¶	The fear of the destroyer kept our enemies from us
Heber taken ill	¶	As I went into the woods to pray I was taken with cholera. I was instantly struck blind, and saw no way whereby I could free myself from the disease, only to exert myself by jumping and thrashing myself about, until my sight returned to me, and my blood began to circulate in my veins. I started and ran some distance, and by this means, through the help of God, I was enabled to extricate myself from the grasp of death.
Algernon Sidney Gilbert dies	¶	On the 26th, Algernon Sydney Gilbert, keeper of the Lord's Store House, signed a letter to the Governor, in connection with others, which was his last public act; for he had been called to preach, and he said he would rather die than go forth and preach the Gospel to the wicked. The Lord took him at his word; he was attacked with the cholera, and died about the 29th.	Algernon Sidney Gilbert
Erastus Rudd and Jesse Johnson Smith die	¶	Brothers Erastus Rudd and Jesse Johnson Smith, a cousin of the Prophet, died at brother Gilbert's about the same time.
Peter Whitmer household cares for Heber in Liberty	¶	I went to Liberty, to the house of brother Peter Whitmer, which place I reached with difficulty, being much afflicted. I received great kindness from them, and also from sister Vienna Jacques, who administered to my wants and also to my brethren. May the Lord reward them for their kindness.
Cholera ends after 4 days 68 sick, 18 died	¶	The destroyer ceased, having afflicted us about four days. Sixty-eight were taken with the disease, of which number fourteen of the members of Zion's camp died—eighteen died in all.
Cold water treatments		Many of the brethren were cured by immersing them in cold water, or pouring it on them, repeating the application frequently.
Lord accepts attempt Blessings, endowment in store	¶	On the 22d, Brother Joseph received a revelation, saying that the Lord had accepted our offering even as he accepted that of Abraham, therefore he had a great blessing laid up in store for us, and an endowment for all, and those who had families might return home, and those who had no families should tarry until the Lord said they should go.	D&C 105
Discharge	¶	I received an honorable discharge in writing from the hand of our General, Lyman Wight.
Each member paid $1.16		Before we separated, the money which had been put into the hands of our paymaster, and had not been used, was equally divided amongst the company, making one dollar and sixteen cents each.
Starts for home	¶	June 30, 1834.—I started for home, in company with Lyman Sherman, Sylvester Smith, Alexander Badlam, Harrison Burgess, Luke Johnson, Zera Cole, with brother Sylvester [552] Smith's team, as I had disposed of mine to Peter Whitmer.
Heber in charge	¶	After proceeding about three miles, we made arrangements for travelling. They chose me to be their captain, and all put their money into my hands, which amounted to forty dollars. From thence we proceeded until we came to brother Thomas B. Marsh's house.	Thomas B. Marsh (h)
Enemy threatens to shoot	¶	We crossed a branch of the Fishing River in a scow. Here an enemy came and swore he would shoot us.
Continue		We continued on to brother Ball's, where we stayed all night—some slept on the floor and some in the corn-crib.
Missouri river Threatened again	¶	The next morning we pursued our journey, and, after travelling about eight miles, we came to the Missouri river, which we crossed in a scow, the current was so rapid that it carried us down one mile, and landed us at Lexington, where we were threatened, but the Lord protected us.
Arrive Kirtland, July 26	¶	We proceeded on our journey daily, the Lord blessing us with health and strength. The weather was very hot, still we travelled from thirty-five to forty miles a day, until about the 26th of July, when we arrived in Kirtland.
Slept on ground No Sunday travel	¶	During the journey, with the exception of four nights, I slept on the ground. We did not travel on the Sabbath during our journey back, but attended to breaking of bread, &c.
Family	¶	I found my family well, enjoying the blessings and comforts of life, and I felt to rejoice in the Lord that he had preserved my life, through many dangers, seen and unseen, and brought me to behold my family in peace and prosperity.
Pottery	¶	After being at home two weeks, and resting myself, I concluded I had finished my mission to which the Lord had called me, and I established my pottery according to Joseph's counsel, and continued about three months, until cold weather, when I was under the necessity of stopping for the time being, calculating on the opening of spring, to commence business on a larger scale.
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