He was then a strong Mormon, and was afterwards
first captain in the Mormon Battalion. He, as an elder in the
Church, was a preacher of the gospel; all of his family were firm
in the faith.

Elder Hunt preached to me the necessity of humility and a strict
obedience to the gospel requirements through the servants of God.
He informed me that the apostles and elders were our true
teachers, and it was our duty to hear, learn, and obey; that the
spirit of God was very fine and delicate, and was easily grieved
and driven from us: that the more humble we were, the more of the
Holy Spirit we would enjoy.

After staying in Far West about a week we moved about twenty
miles, and settled on a stream called Marrowbone, at a place
called afterwards Ambrosia. Sunday, June 17, 1838, I attended
meeting. Samuel H. Smith, a brother of the Prophet, and Elder
Daniel Cathcart preached. After meeting I and my wife were
baptized by Elder Cathcart, in Ambrosia, on Shady Grove Creek, in
Daviess County, Missouri. I was now a member of the Church, and
expected to live in strict obedience to the requirements of the
holy priesthood that ruled, governed, and controlled it. I must
do this in order to advance in the scale of intelligence unto
thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, and through
faithfulness and fidelity to the cause receive eternal increase
in the mansions that would be prepared for me in my Father's
kingdom.

Neighbor Stewart and myself each selected a place on the same
stream, and near where his three brothers, Riley, Jackson, and
Urban, lived. On my location there was a spring of pure, cold
water; also a small lake fed by springs. This lake was full of
fish, such as perch, bass, pickerel, mullet, and catfish. It was
surrounded by a grove of heavy timber, mostly hickory and oak. We
could have fish sufficient for use every day in the year if we
desired.

My home on Ambrosia Creek reminded me of the one I had left on
Luck Creek, Illinois; but it was on more rolling land, and much
healthier than the Illinois home had proven to us. I knew I could
soon replace, by labor, all the comfort I had abandoned when I
started to seek my salvation. I felt that I had greatly
benefitted my condition by seeking first the Kingdom of Heaven
and its righteousness; all else, I felt, would be added unto me.
But still I knew I must be frugal, industrious, and use much
care. I improved my farm as rapidly as I could, and was soon so
fixed that