we were very comfortably established.

Meetings were held three times a week; also prayer and testimony
meetings - at the latter sacrament was administered. In these
meetings, as well as in everything I was called upon to do, I
tried hard to give satisfaction. I was a devout follower from the
first. Whatever duty was assigned me I tried to discharge with a
willing heart and ready hand. This disposition, on my part,
coupled with my views of duty, my promptness and punctuality,
soon brought me to the notice of the leading men of the Church.

The motives of the people who composed my neighborhood were pure;
they were all sincere in their devotions, and tried to square
their actions through life by the golden rule - "Do unto others
as you would they should do unto you." The word of a Mormon was
then good for all it was pledged to or for. I was proud to
associate with such an honorable people.

Twenty miles northeast of my home was the settlement of Adam-on-
Diamond. It was on the east bank of Grand River, near the Three
Forks. Lyman White, one of the twelve apostles, was president of
that Stake of Zion. In July, 1838, Levi Stewart and myself
concluded to visit the settlement of Adam-on-Diamond. We remained
over night at the house of Judge Mourning. He was a Democrat. He
told us that at the approaching election the Whigs were going to
cast their votes, at the outside precincts, early in the day, and
then rush in force to the town of Gallatin, the county seat of
Daviess County, and prevent the Mormons from voting. The Judge
requested us to inform our people of the facts in the case, and
for us to see that the Mormons went to the polls in force,
prepared to resist and overcome all violence that might be
offered. He said the Whigs had no right to deprive the Mormons of
their right of suffrage, who had a right to cast their votes as
free and independent Americans.

The two political parties were about equally divided in Daviess
County. The Mormons held the balance of power, and could turn the
scale whichever way they desired. I had heard of Judge Mourning
as a sharp political worker, and I then thought he was trying to
carry out an electioneering job for his party.

We visited our friends at Adam-on-Diamond, and returned home.
While on this trip I formed the acquaintance of Solomon McBrier,
and purchased some cattle from him. He wished to sell me quite a
number, but as I did not want to be involved in debt I refused to