t
provisions, and I have no means to shelter them from the winter
storms. I have not hay cut to feed my stock through the winter. I
must attend to keeping my stock in order or I will have nothing
left to take me and my family over the plains next spring. But,"
said I, "there is no one more willing to sacrifice himself and
his own interests for the benefit of the Church than I am."

Brigham waited and heard me through; then he said:

"Thus sayeth the Lord. You shall go, my son. Prosperity shall
attend you during your absence, and you shall return in safety;
not a hair of your head shall be hurt."

"It is enough to know your will; I will go. But who will take
care of my family in my absence?"

"I will see to your family, and attend to all you are interested
in during your absence," said Brigham.

At that, I was satisfied, and proceeded to carry out Brigham's
will. I had cut considerable hay in company with the brethren,
but as it had to be divided, I felt sure I would not have much to
my share, especially after I had divided with the lazy poor. I
never went much on this copartnership system of labor. There are
always a number who will not work, and yet they are always
present when there is a division to be made of the proceeds of
the labor.

Joseph the Prophet classed the poor into three divisions. He
said:

"There are three kinds of poor. The Lord's poor, the devil's
poor, and the poor devils." I never objected to share with the
Lord's poor, but when it came to dividing with the devil's poor
and the poor devils, it was more than I desired; it took away the
profits.

My outfit for the intended journey to Santa Fe consisted of a
snug light wagon, a span of good mules, a spyglass, and such guns
and traps as a man needs on the plains. I also took Dr. Willard's
dog with me to watch while I was asleep. I was ordered to keep my
business secret from everyone, for fear of being robbed on my
return home. I was not allowed to even tell my wives where I was
going, or how long I would be gone. I went to St. Joseph,
Missouri, and put up at John Green's, and stayed while fitting
out for the trip.

While there I met Luke Johnson, one of the witnesses to the Book
of Mormon. I had a curiosity to talk with him concerning the
same. We took a walk on the river bank. I asked him if the
statement he had signed as to seeing the angel and the plates was
true, and whether he did see the plates from which the Book of
Mormon was pri