d in forming new
settlements and in opening up the country. I had no wish or
desire, save to know and do the will of Brigham, since I had
become his adopted son. I believed that Brigham spoke by
direction of the God of Heaven, and I would have suffered death
rather than disobey any request of his.

At the command of Brigham, I took one hundred and twenty-one men,
went in a southern direction from Salt Lake City, and laid out
and built up Parowan. George A. Smith was the leader and chief
man in authority in that settlement. I acted under him as
historian and clerk of the Iron County Mission, until January,
1851. I went with Brigham, acted as a committeeman, and located
Provo, St. George, Fillmore, Parowan, and other towns, and
managed the location of many of the settlements in southern Utah.

In 1852 I moved to Harmony, and built up that settlement. I
remained there until the Indians declared war against the whites
and drove the settlers into Cedar City and Parowan, for
protection, in the year 1853. I removed my then numerous family
to Cedar City, where I was appointed Captain of the Danites, and
commander of Cedar City.

After I had commanded at Cedar City about one year I was ordered
to return to Harmony and build the Harmony Fort. This order, like
all other orders, came from Brigham. When I returned to Harmony
and commenced building the fort, the orders were given by Brigham
for the reorganization of the Danites at Cedar City. The old men
were requested to resign and younger men were appointed in their
places.

About the 7th of September, 1857, I went to Cedar City from my
home in Harmony, by order of Brother Haight. I did not know what
he wanted of me, but he had ordered me to visit him, and I
obeyed. If I remember correctly, it was on Sunday evening that I
went there.

When I got to Cedar City I met Haight on the public square of the
town. Haight was then President of that Stake of Zion, and the
highest man in the Mormon Priesthood, and next to Bishop Dame in
southern Utah, and in the command of the Iron District. The word
and command of Haight were the law in Cedar City at that time,
and to disobey his orders was death; be they right or wrong, no
Saint was to question them; it was obedience or death.

When I met Haight I asked him what he wanted with me. He said he
must have a long talk with me on private and particular business.
We took blankets and went over to the old Iron Works, and lay
there that ni